Linux Community Magazine

How I Went From Angry Windows User To Delighted Linux User In Ten Minutes!

About 18 months ago, I had another disastrous crash on my PC that caused me to loose a host of photos, music and documents. Luckily I had a backup of most of my documents on an external disk. So I wasn't too concerned by this. I had experienced many crashes on Windows before and usually I was able to recover most of my documents and restore the system back to normal without too much effort.

This time was different however and to my horror, I discovered that Windows had somehow corrupted my external disk as well. I had lost everything and was pretty angry about it.

I tried a number of data recovery programs but most of the files wore gone. Forever. What a disaster!

At that point I decided that I would look for another alternative to windows and I thought I would give Linux another try.A few years earlier I had experimented with RedHat Linux but had no real success with it as it had problems detecting my usb keyboard and mouse. Which was obviously a bit of a non-starter for me. I knew that big advances were being made in the Linux world so I decided to do a bit of research.

Linux is an operating system that is free. That is, it can be downloaded and copied and distributed without a fee. It is free in a deeper sense too. Most of the software is written under a license called the "GPL" which effectively means that source code is available to everyone for each and every component of the Linux Operating System. If you have access to the source code for a piece of software then you can change the program to fix bugs and make it better. Once you do this you are under obligation to make your new source code available to others.

This has worked extremely well and Linux is being developed by programmers all over the world to make it better and better. The progress is amazing!

In my research I discovered a website: This website keeps a list of the most popular distributions of Linux. A distribution is a collection of Linux software that together makes an operating system. Each distribution contains different software and has a different focus. There are so many to try... Fedora, Mandrake, Puppy, PCLinuxOS, Debian, Knoppix, and the most popular, Ubuntu Linux. I downloaded the ISO of Ubuntu Linux from the Ubuntu website / and burned it to cd (an ISO file is cd image that can be recreated using a cd burning tool such as Nero).I placed the cd in my drive and booted up my computer.

I was astounded!

Within 10 minutes my computer was running Ubuntu Linux without even having to install it! This was a "Live-CD" and it can be used without installing to hard disk - it can be run from a cd without affecting your computer at all.

All my hardware was detected and within minutes I was surfing the web using Firefox and getting my email using Evolution, chatting to friends in messenger and yahoo chat using Gaim, writing documents and opening spreadsheets in Open Office and listening to Internet Radio with RythmBox.

I was delighted with the easy to use and gorgeous looking desktop. I decided to install it straight away and since then I haven't looked back.

There is an abundance of free open source software just waiting for you to experience. The package management system - Synaptic, allows you to search repositories of software and download them. The quality of a lot of the software is incredible.

Linux is written from the ground up to be a secure operating system. This means that you won't have to worry about getting viruses, spyware or any other kind of malware. My system is as stable as a rock. Of course, there are downsides to running Linux. The main one is that there is a learning curve that can be quite steep. It is not windows so If you are trying to get something working, your windows knowledge will not help you.

You might need to troubleshoot problems using the Command Line Interface - similar to windows DOS, but many times more powerful. Fortunately, help is at hand on the incredibly friendly and helpful forums at

I have been running Ubuntu Linux now for 18 months and can't see any reason now to return to windows. Once you get past the mind set of using closed source software a whole new world opens up before you and you realise that amazing things are possible with linux.

I hope you found this article helpful and I hope it inspires you to try out Ubuntu Linux as I did. You won't regret trying it.

Here are some resources:

Distrowatch - News on the latest Linux distributions.

Ubuntu - Download the Ubuntu Linux operating system for your computer

Forums - Go here for help and advice

/wiki/LinuxLinux on Wikipedia

Big news for all Linux lovers! The latest version of Ubuntu, the Ubuntu 11.04 is going to release today. Ubuntu is one of the most famous Linux Distributions, which is best known for its speed, simplicity and forum support. Canonical's Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal" is designed to be a real replacer of Microsoft Windows.

1. Unity Desktop as default UI

2. kernel 2.6.38

It is one of the 4 great news of Linux in April, 2011.

Ubuntu will release Ubuntu 11.04 on April 28.

Yahoo has been official accepted to enter the Linux Foundation on April 21.

Linux releases the new kernel 2.6.38.

The leader of German Insurance, LVM Versicherungen had signed an agreement with Canonical to install Ubuntu Linux in its 10,000 new computers.

Users upgrading from Maverick can expect a great deal of improvements in the overall performance.

3. Improved Software Center

The Software center is one of the major highlights of Ubuntu. One of the reasons why Ubuntu becomes so popular worldwide is its simplicity. Unlike others, users can run the Software center to install or uninstall software easily instead of typing in the complicated codes, which is rather annoying for beginners. The new Software center has integrated with Dash. Users now can comment and vote for the software and thus makes it more convenient for others to choose the right software.

4. Firefox 4

5. Entertainment

In Linux, there aren't so many video games as Windows do. One of the prides of the Linux users is their passion toward the desire for new technology. They may spend much more time on the program work. However, users can fully enjoy the entrainment with Linux for a long time. Music and movies can be played as good as Windows. In Linux, users will need OpenOffice or LibreOffice to make a PowerPoint. To view Microsoft PowerPoint on Linux, a PPT to Video Converter will be helpful.

The process of switching your computer to Ubuntu can be daunting yet that is the best thing that you can give your own computer, there is no doubt that Ubuntu Linux is one of the throughout the world acclaimed operating systems that have crucial features. The ideal nature of the OS is actually based on the fact that it gives you an interactive user friendly OS method, a fact that makes Linux very popular. Up to the debate of whether Linux is prepared for desktops continues to craze on, the fact of the matter is that indeed that takes nothing from your Linux Ubuntu in fact; this is arguably the easiest and simplest operating systems that can be realized by the majority of computer users.The way one uses Ubuntu inside the user interface makes it very when switching to Linux, with quick effect. The point and click could be the easiest user interface that can ever be developed. As much as this attribute may not rub well on the so called hardcore Linux users, there's no questio n that the Linux Ubuntu is primarily centered on making OS easy to use and operate on. The fact that Ubuntu allows users to launch software from icons makes the total process very easy in learning over it.Another distinct feature which separates Ubuntu from Windows is the fact that it arrives with a set of variety of pre-loaded applications. Furthermore, the OS is graced by a wonderful text editor and graphics manager that work automatically with the computer. The OS is open and extremely appropriate for a variety of Hardware and external devices. The compatibility options on offer are : extremely important and by the way, in the Ubuntu Linux you wouldn't need any device motorists as it is the case with Windows. The actual adaptive nature of the Linux Ubuntu makes it even more ideal to thOSe who're after personalization of their personal computers since this process is very effortless.One of the possible short comings in the Linux Ubuntu is actually the games they are availa ble in. To be fair the video games provision cannot be compared to windows however even so, there is a very reasonable answer for this which of course consists of the use free software that allows use of a variety of games called wine beverage. Furthermore the software provides changes so that you not stuck enjoying the same games for a era. Switching to Linux is extremely easy in fact, the process of installation is incredibly easy not to mention quite fast relative to windows. The easy designed add emove software does the job and the main job of this app is to provide easy installation and removal of plans. With all this features, change to Linux Ubuntu is as reasonable as it may possibly get.

The process of switching your computer to Ubuntu will be daunting yet that is the best thing that you can give your own computer, there is no doubt that Ubuntu Linux is one of the globally acclaimed operating systems that have essential features. The ideal nature of the OS is actually based on the fact that it provides an interactive user friendly OS method, a fact that makes Linux very popular. As much as the debate of whether Linux is prepared for desktops continues to trend on, the fact of the matter is the fact that indeed that takes nothing through the Linux Ubuntu in fact; this is arguably the best and simplest operating systems that can be comprehended by the majority of computer users.

The actual way one uses Ubuntu inside user interface makes it very when switching to Ubuntu, with immediate effect. The point and click will be the easiest user interface that can ever be developed. As much as this attribute may not rub well to the so called hardcore Linux users, it is obvious that the Linux Ubuntu is primarily concentrated on making OS easy to use and operate on. The fact Ubuntu allows users to launch application from icons makes the whole process very easy in learning about this.

Another distinct feature in which separates Ubuntu from Windows is the fact that it arrives with a set of variety of pre-loaded applications. Furthermore, your OS is graced by an incredible text editor and graphics manager that work automatically with the computer. The OS is open and extremely suitable for a variety of Hardware and external products. The compatibility options offered are extremely important and by the way, in the Ubuntu Linux you will not need any device owners as it is the case with Windows. Your adaptive nature of the Linux Ubuntu helps it be even more ideal to thOSe who will be after personalization of their personal computers since this process is very effortless.

One of the possible short comings in the Linux Ubuntu is actually the games it comes with. To be fair the video games provision cannot be compared to windows however even so, there is a very reasonable option for this which of course involves the use free software that allows entry to a variety of games called wine beverage. Furthermore the software provides updates so that you not stuck enjoying the same games for an era. Switching to Linux is extremely easy in fact, the process of installation is quite easy not to mention quite rapidly relative to windows. The easy designed add emove application does the job and the main process of this app is to present easy installation and removal of programs. With all this features, change to Linux Ubuntu is as reasonable as it could possibly get.

If you are a computer enthusiast and want to experiment a little with the Operating System of your computer or tired with virus, malware, adware or spyware you might consider an Operating System which is both secure, fast and at the same time free, try Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu Linux which is just a distribution of Linux Operating System is available free of cost. You need to download the ISO file and burn it using your favorite CD/DVD burning software or if you have a slow internet connection but still want to try out the Operating System you can order for a CD from Ubuntu's home page. Ubuntu Linux is available for Desktop, servers and Notebook. Ubuntu Linux licensed by a UK based company Canonical Limited. This implies that anyone can reuse, study and modify the code and that the code is free and can be freely distributed or copied.

Ubuntu Linux was first released in the year 2004 October. After that Canonical does release a version after every six months and a LTS version (Long Time support) after two years. The LTS version was so called because Canonical will give support for this version for three years and five years for Server. The last LTS version was released in April 2010 and hence was called version 10.04. The naming convention is YY.MM. After six months in the month of October 10th 2010 the next version was launched by Canonical which was naturally 10.10. The next version will be probably 11.04 which should be released in the year 2011 in the month of April.

Before proceeding with features and other important aspects let's see how to install Ubuntu Linux. Some may have conception installing Linux is very tough and you need a UNIX conception if you want to install Ubuntu. But things have changed over the years and now loading Linux is very easy. For Linux set up support, you can talk to a remote computer support service provider. The full installation is GUI based where a click of mouse is sufficient for things to be done quickly. Further if you are extremely happy with your existing Operating System and you don't want to remove it you can use the installation CD of Ubuntu Linux as a Live CD.

This means that you don't need to install or create partition for trying out Ubuntu Linux. Just boot your computer by selecting CDROM drive as first boot device and you will get a screen where you will be given options of either to Try Ubuntu Linux or Install Ubuntu. Choose Ubuntu only if you are absolutely sure and backed up all your data. Or else click Try Ubuntu. In no time you will get the desktop with complete set of software like Open Office, Firefox browser, Movie Player and other software programs as well.