desktop program

[caretaker]

Hi all fellow woodworkers,
I have just stumbled on a program called UBUNTU desktop and was taken back with it but did wonder if anyone had tried it and did it muck up your computer.
I have down loaded it but not run it.
What do you think?
Reg
PS. do not muck up your own computer unless you have it already installed but just google it and have a read.
So far it has only downloaded 40%.

 

[misterfish]

Yes. Ubuntu is a well supported and received version of Linux - the free operating system. This is somewhat 'windows like' and also has access to thousands of free software packages of all types.

My desktop system has a dual boot option tht allows me to run either Ubuntu or Windows XP.

The thing about using Linux is that you need to be somewhat computer literate as installing and using some of the Linux programs can be less straightforward than doing the same in Windows.

There is a lot of support available on line for all aspects of Linux.

Misterfish

 

[Derek Willis.]

I subscribe to the fortnightly magazine, Computeractive, they have run a lot of trials and advice on the use of Ubuntu, all to the good, give it a go!!

 

[loftyhermes]

After reading about Ubuntu in Computeracitive I thought I'd have a try but it was a disaster, couldn't get it to load up, asked for help on linux forums and it seems that if your computer has the right hardware it'll work mine didn't Ubuntu doesn't like usb keyboards or mice apparently.

 

[Gower]

I had a spare desktop that struggled a bit with Windows XP. I formatted the hard drive and loaded Linux Ubunto. It works very well and it obviously doesn't need the computing power that Windows requires. As for the free Office compatible software (www.openoffice.org/), its so good that I've downloaded it (and use it) on my windows machine. If you don't need windows specific software this is the way to go and it's FREE. Don't hesitate to give it a go.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[Dave S]

After reading about Ubuntu in Computeracitive I thought I'd have a try but it was a disaster, couldn't get it to load up, asked for help on linux forums and it seems that if your computer has the right hardware it'll work mine didn't Ubuntu doesn't like usb keyboards or mice apparently.

I'm surprised - Ubuntu is supposed to be the most user-friendly distribution going. In general terms Linux can be dodgy with very new hardware so if going this route it is as well to check compatibility first.
The machine I'm using right now has usb keyboard and mouse, and has at various times had:
Redhat,
Mandrake,
Sabayon,
Gentoo,
Suse,
Debian.

Currently running Debian as a host, VMWare Server and 3 virtual machines (2 Debian, 1 Win XP). Next project is to configure MythTV

cheers
Dave

 

[hog&bodge]

Come on lads get it installed..
http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download
you can install it as secondary operating system..Till you get use to it
and you will never go back to Microsoft blunders :lol:

 

[BrianD]

And yes I run SketchUp with Ubuntu. So it is pretty OK

 

[yo_chuci]

it is also so good and no processor draining that you can download it... burn it to dvd and it'll run and work from dvd... don't even need to install it.
if you choose to install it gives you the option of setting it up so you can leave windows and run ubuntu or vice versa... very good...