I'm looking to fix up a cheap computer I got recently, and I was wondering if I should install Ubuntu. It's currently running Windows XP, so that has to change. If you're running Ubuntu, do you think its worth downloading, and what are some pros and cons.
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Should I install Ubuntu?
- Thread starter manbearpig97
- Start date
Ubuntu's great, definitely worth downloading if you're open to learning a new OS. It's different than both Windows and OS X, so it'll take some time to get use to. Also, it's a bit more "manual" than Windows, so you may need to install new drivers for wireless, speakers, etc. You can always give it a test run with some free virtualization software, and if you don't like it you can throw it out and still have XP on your comp.
I've been looking at the same thing manbearpig97. Converting my desktop pc into a HTPC for under my TV.
Ubuntu with XBMC and maybe even a DIY ambilight setup like this guy has -
I only have experience with OS and Winblows so I'm interested in what people here say about ubuntu.
Ubuntu with XBMC and maybe even a DIY ambilight setup like this guy has -
I only have experience with OS and Winblows so I'm interested in what people here say about ubuntu.
True, Ubuntu makes it pretty easy to download firmware. I don't think I ever got my speaker and wireless drivers to work properly, though, but it's probably because I was on a Mac...
If it is a cheap/old computer from the XP era, then Ubuntu may not be the best choice, as the system requirements are rather... modern. Personally I use one called "CrunchBang" on anything Pentium 4 or older. Puppy Linux is also very popular for older hardware (though I don't particularly care for it myself for some reason).
Here is a nice comparison of the top distributions or "distros":
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Remember that software cannot solve hardware problems. If your computer runs crappy under Windows then it will probably run crappy under Linux. But there are always great deals on hardware if you visit Craigslist and so forth. IMHO it is not cost-effective, when the value of one's time is taken into consideration, to run hardware past a certain vintage, because of something called "Moore's Law."
Here is a nice comparison of the top distributions or "distros":
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Remember that software cannot solve hardware problems. If your computer runs crappy under Windows then it will probably run crappy under Linux. But there are always great deals on hardware if you visit Craigslist and so forth. IMHO it is not cost-effective, when the value of one's time is taken into consideration, to run hardware past a certain vintage, because of something called "Moore's Law."
rp747 said:
Windows have a lot to learn from the Synaptic package manager on Ubuntu. And don't forget defragmentation and other issues on Windows.
+1 For most applications, anyway.
My only gripe is that I haven't been able to make my audio interface work with it.
Getting used to Ubuntu is not really difficult at all, especially considering the huge developer and user community behind it and, consequently, help for most issues is pretty easily available.
Best of all, it looks really slick
Ubuntu Studio is a variant that has a lot of audio and video software already installed configured and debugged. Audacity, OpenShot, Ardour, Hydrogen. It's really nice.
Crunch bang is a pretty good lower memory option but Ubuntu is a better first jump into Linux IMHO.
Sorry but this is totally incorrect! Ubuntu has many options for any type of computer.
- For a "modern" computer you can install Ubuntu as it is.
- For Eye Candy you have Kubuntu (KDE)
- For older computers you have: Lubuntu & Xubuntu (Lubuntu being the more lightweight of them)
- If you're into education then "Edibuntu" is for you.
- For music and video production you have "Ubuntu Studio".
All of them work great.
For music recording I prefer AV Linux, as it a complete package pre-configured to work out of the box with minimun issues. And the best is that it is Ubuntu based so you don't have any learning curve.
To predetermine your PC's hardware compatibility with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS first ID its components by downloading and running Speccy...
http://www.piriform.com/speccy
...and then Googling or searching the Ubuntu Forums for any issues & solutions:
http://ubuntuforums.org/
IMO a first time Ubuntu user would be wise to wait until July 19th for Ubuntu 12.04.1 LTS. It'll be more mature than the current Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PrecisePangolin/ReleaseSchedule
If you don't like Ubuntu's Unity UI (which looks like a tablet interface) then install Gnome Shell (it can be found in Ubuntu Software Center), reboot, and at the login window click the icon and select Gnome Classic for a more traditional (and faster) desktop UI.
If you have kids then Edubuntu 12.04 LTS is a useful option whose DVD includes the choice of installing Gnome Fallback (essentially the same UI as Gnome Classic) during the install:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edubuntu
If you like an OS whose GUI can be extensively customized then Kubuntu 12.04 LTS is worth checking out:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kubuntu
All three above variants of Ubuntu 12.04 LTS will be supported for the next five years and their i386 (32 bit) versions have PAE kernels which require a CPU that supports Physical Address Extensions (most of them do). If your PC's CPU does not support PAE then Xubuntu 12.04 LTS (three year support) is the only current non-PAE LTS option:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xubuntu
Be sure to check the md5sum of whichever .iso you download...
HowToMD5SUM
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM
...to ensure its integrity before burning it to a DVR-R or DVD+R (Ubuntu, Edubuntu, Kubuntu) or CD-R (Kubuntu desktop, Xubuntu) at a moderate speed:
windows xp open source dvd burner
https://encrypted.google.com/#hl=en....,cf.osb&fp=b1c1f3c9dcac8c8b&biw=1024&bih=539
I like it. I installed it on an old Dell that just stopped working right and gave it to my daughter. Obviously, it's different and the programs aren't the same, but if compatibility with other programs isn't that important, I'm a fan. There are tons of apps and browsing works great...I haven't looked into using the word processor & spreadsheet stuff much since it's now my daughter's machine.
I've used several iterations of ubuntu, but I personally prefer fedora. There's an Ubuntu app for just about everything.
OpenOffice.org publishes an office suite that is pretty much the open source equivalent to Microsoft Office. It is available for most operating systems & Linux distros. So whether you're on a Linux & can't get a Microsoft Office install, or you're on a Mac or PC & just don't want to pay Microsoft a dime, OpenOffice is a great option. It can open & save Office files, even the new .docx & .xlsx files.
But, there is a reason why Microsoft can charge what they charge. Microsoft Office (especially on PC) is pretty darn slick. It's like a thousand little things that makes it worth it.
OpenOffice is a clumsy in comparison. Office Mac is clumsy for that matter, but OpenOffice is slightly clumsier.
Ubuntu is a good Linux distro to start with if you have no intention of learning how a PC works. If you're a tinkerer like me, it's also a good distro to start learning how a PC really works.
The only reason I choose Fedora over Ubuntu is that I like the user group better.
I resurrect my old PCs with Puppy Linux. This is beautiful little version of Linux that is so compact it runs COMPLETELY in 256MB of RAM, including the OS, browser, email, paint, spreadsheet, audio program, photo program, etc, etc. It makes your oldest computer the fastest. Download and load it on a CD or Flash drive and try it out. It is just amazing and so easy to use. For the 99% that just want to do Web browsing and email, it is PERFECT.
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Meanwhile, if you have a higher powered computer and want to be free of Microsoft bloatware, the latest Ubuntu seems to be really great, stable and complete.
Of course, both versions are Linux, and can run any of the hundreds of Linux programs that are out there, including the ones that are compatible with the MS versions (Office, etc.)
In addition, there is a GREAT version of Ubuntu that I hear is very similar to having ProTools.
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Meanwhile, if you have a higher powered computer and want to be free of Microsoft bloatware, the latest Ubuntu seems to be really great, stable and complete.
Of course, both versions are Linux, and can run any of the hundreds of Linux programs that are out there, including the ones that are compatible with the MS versions (Office, etc.)
In addition, there is a GREAT version of Ubuntu that I hear is very similar to having ProTools.
