Ubuntu Keeps Building Momentum
Many enthusiast PC sites create buying guides for people looking to build their own PC’s from components. For instance, The Tech Report released their latest system guide. For the first time they made a recommendation for a “mini-econobox” built around Intel’s Atom processor, and intended to be as small and quiet as possible. Their recommended OS for this machine? Ubuntu, of course.
From the article:
“With Windows XP going the way of the dodo, Ubuntu looks to us like a good fit. We wouldn’t recommend Ubuntu as a primary OS for our other builds, since it won’t let you play most games or run Photoshop out of the box, but this is a sub-$300 small-form-factor PC for basic desktop tasks. Ubuntu offers all you need for web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, and MP3 and DVD playback (assuming you install a couple of extra packages). Also, Ubuntu has a better track record than XP from a security standpoint, and it won’t fall prey to the same viruses and spyware.”
Of course, the next page goes on about how to choose a version of Vista for their other builds, but this endorsement of Ubuntu is yet another marker of the sea-change we are seeing in the industry. People outside of the typical Linux demographic are rightly seeing Ubuntu as the right tool for the job in more and more places.
This is further reinforced by Dell’s expanding portfolio of Ubuntu machines. According to Engadget, the new Vostro A860 and A840 machines destined for “emerging markets” will have Ubuntu as a build option. I get the impression that this will be offered in the “normal”configuration process, not just in the limited configuration system that Dell has offered for their Ubuntu pre-loads so far. Only time will tell if that turns out to be the case, but if it does, it will really be presenting Ubuntu on an equal footing with Windows, which is something that I have yet to see a major manufacturer do with any Linux distro. That emotional parity will be a major milestone when it happens, and with the energy that Ubuntu is gathering, I don’t think it will be too long before we see it.
In fact, we’re seeing it already — as more and more companies hop onto our Works With U 1000, a fast growing list that tracks Ubuntu deployments worldwide.
I can only hope that more companies endorse or at least mention ubuntu. At this point I think that the only thing that needs to happen right now is the spread of the concept of linux/ubuntu. It is definitelly ready for market, and with microsoft’s most recent blunders, I think that if many more poeple at least knew about ubuntu and actually checked it out then it would explode!
I mean think about it! If Canonical puts right on its homepage “try before you install!” (reference its live-cd capabilities) than people can order a CD from them, and get a real taste of what ubuntu is like without any technical know-how. This will show them that THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO WINDOWS. because right now in america that Windows is the only PC OS.
may the year of the linux desktop dawn soon!
I really hope that Ubuntu keeps building momentum. It IS ready for the masses. Ubuntu 6.10 wasn’t, but certainly 8.04 is. Even without having mutimedia codecs, fonts, flash etc pre-installed, it was a two-step process to do it all, easy. My ipod, scanner, printer, video camera, still camera, web cam, usb devices etc all work. I turn to Windows for a couple of websites which also require IE (rarely though), and to update the virus software. Is it an alternative to Windows, absolutely. That being said, for example, Linux needs better applications for video/audio editing, and native driver/programs to work with more hardware peripherals in the consumer and professional areas.
Ubuntu is ready for most people’s desktop. In spite of what the story says I don’t need Photoshop because I have Gimp- which does ALOT. Games? Ubuntu Linux has plenty.Software is very political and you if say Linux can replace Microsoft you might hurt your credibility or revenues. Time to wake up. Proprietary software is way overrated for most people. Causes honest people wordwide to pirate. Feeling secure on my Linux desktop.
It would be really nice if ubuntu was ready for prime time, but its not. It supports nowhere near enough hardware, its very unstable with compiz fusion and slow(but without compiz its dang stable xD)
the terminal is not needed as much but if your printer/scanner/webcam/gamepad and other peripherals dont work out of the box or atleast with a driver that you can install without seeing the terminal, ubuntu doesnt stand a chance. vista is a crap buggy and sluggish os but its still preferred because of photoshop, games, many other applications that are windows only and dont give me that crap that linux applications are better than window applications. ubuntu doesnt stand a chance, unless all you do is surf and write email. im sure that some day ubuntu will be ready… but ubuntu 8.04 is just as bad as 7.04 , there were like no changes or real big improvents(pulseaudio was nice though). i think the hype forces ubuntu to release ubuntu versions too early. which means they are filled with bugs, crap, and not many features….
@samtheman: I don’t think Ubuntu features are filled with “bugs, crap and not many features…” but I do agree: I think Canonical releases too many Ubuntu revisions to quickly. PC companies like Dell cannot keep pace, nor do they want to. It’s tricky. The open source world is very good at refining and enhancing software multiple times a year. But big PC vendors like to test, test, test before they ship…
It looks like the Ubuntu Dell Vostro’s will be available in Australia even though it is not classed as an emerging market.
Samtheman: your quote “ubuntu doesnt stand a chance, unless all you do is surf and write email. im sure that some day ubuntu will be ready… but ubuntu 8.04 is just as bad as 7.04 , there were like no changes or real big improvents(pulseaudio was nice though). i think the hype forces ubuntu to release ubuntu versions too early. which means they are filled with bugs, crap, and not many features….”
— I can sincerely say you are 100% wrong. Ubuntu 8.04 for me is 100% stable and works reliably with all my hardware I had mentioned above, actually better than Windows. It is so much more stable, reliable, secure, trouble-free and a joy to use, more so than my Windows XP, which as I also said above I rarely use. Linux still has problems with hardware compatibilty, but that is not Ubuntu’s fault, it is the hardware manufactures who design their hardware to work with Windows. If you had a bad experience, it is not Ubuntu. Most likely it is your hardware (eg graphics card etc) or something else.
@zac
i can understand what your saying, it isnt ubuntu or linuxs fault that all hardware doesnt work. unfortunately that doesnt solve the problem, and its up to linux most of the time to make the drivers. also for some people ubuntu runs amazing everything works and they have no problems. like on my laptop everything works, but on my new desktop i cant even boot up into the live cd, and it has to do with the floppy drive not being there… and everything works fine under vista or xp… i wish it would work without any problems, or atleast boot up! i have tried disabling the floppy drive but nothing works. for some reason though opensuse works lol
ubuntu just isnt ready and wont be for a while. photoshop cs3, my favorite games all dont work, dont even start with wine!!!! and i cant have fun without those things.
viruses have actually never been a problem for me, i run an antivirus and i surf safe with firefox…
that reminds me, why the heck did ubuntu release firefox 3.0 beta! i know its firefox is no longer beta, but ubuntu doing this just shows that they release too fast!
@samtheman
Saying Ubuntu has no chance is completely ridiculous, especially because your argument is based on your personal experience only.
gt;It is definitelly ready for market
Afraid not. Just did my yearly test of a bunch of different Linuxes. My conclusion is that major Linuxes are nearly there but no quite. I want Linux to succeed as two OSes (Win, osX) it way to little. For example, Ubuntu does not allow for you to install add-ons to FF out of the box in an easy manor. And why on earth does Ubuntu make itself such a huge disfavor with the brown and orange. Many people flinch at the mere sight of it.
i love Ubuntu. It’s fast, beautiful and reliable. Unfortunately, I use a lot of software that only runs in Windows and doesn’t work under Wine. So I spend most of my time in Windows, but not by choice.
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I have Ubuntu 8.04 installed on my computer. Although I like the idea of using it, it is not very user friendly, and until it is it will never be able to compete with windows. Even to download a decent flash player is a major undertaking. I am afraid I will have to stick to windows.
While Ubuntu 8.04 is a huge step closer to being ready for the masses it still relies to much on the command line for configuation. There is no excuse for having to directly edit the xorg.conf file. Although some try to downplay the hardware compatiblity issues it’s still a major problem that needs to be addressed. It’s software installation procedures are sometimes extremely confusing and I’m not exactly a newbie when it comes to computers. Yes I know that every new OS has compatiblity issues for instance when I migrated to Vista it broke my scanner, webcam, modem and partially my audio card. But except for the audio card this was all very old hardware, Ubuntu seems to have trouble with modern devices-issues with basic stuff like keyboards and mice, issues with video cards, issues with Bluetooth on and on. True these problems are almost always solvable but not by the masses. Is this Ubuntu’s problem or the manufacturers? I say for now it’s mostly Ubuntu’s problem.
Ubuntu Fanboys can say whatever they want. Ubuntu is nowhere the quality of XP, let alone Vista. Hey, it’s free for a reason.
Yuk! I hate Ubuntu and it’s gnome interface. At least mention Kubuntu or even Xubuntu. It’s rather annoying to me that Ubuntu gets all this attention. There are much better Linux distros available out there. Personally I use Mandriva and have no issues with hardware software etc. It found and installed all of my hardware on the live disk even before installation.”Linux is not as user friendly as windows or osX.” God forbid someone learns something new from time to time.
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They will have to do more work on getting canon printers to work on ubuntu. The only way I can get my pixma to work is with turboprint in draFT MODE. And every time I try the many solutions on the internet I end up having to format and reinstall ubuntu.
[…] workswithu.com […]
Reminder: All you folks who say you’re running Ubuntu for business, please visit the Works With U 1000 to add your name to the list of companies worldwide running Ubuntu.
I also actually prefer Ubuntu 8.04 than Mac, overall. There is a few things Linux lacks that Mac has and one of those high quality video and audio editing tools. Hardware compatibility is another area which Mac doesn’t have to worry about.
Gnome interface: For those of you who don’t want two bars top and bottom, it’s so easy to change it to what you like. For example, I have one task bar on top (I find having it at the top is more efficient with respect to mouse movements) very similar in function to the Windows task bar. Very clean, efficient, and doesn’t take up much screen space.
I’ve gone from having ubuntu installed on an old laptop as a test, to running my server, media PC and the old laptop… get wireless supported properly (no, I’m not farting about with that whatever it is program – that’s my gripe, you’re my operating system, ubuntu, not a tool for downloading an operating system) and I’ll happily switch my desktop, main laptop and netbook over tomorrow. And if you can integrate WINE/similar to allow me to use more windows games, so much the better
Simply put, get ubuntu more compatible with more drivers and we’ll be great friends. Oh, and find me a good alternative to microsoft OneNote
Finally, drop the current default theme, I just can’t take it seriously. Some nice clossy bars, in a colour other than a freaky brown, will do fine.
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I don’t know but there is hugh market of people that do not want all the pop ups, game ability, special twinks of building websites and photo shop.
The average person that just checks mail, surfs internet and downloads and looks at photo’s.
There is hugh market in computer world, And Ubuntu is Leaps and bounds faster, cleaner and more secure for this feature.
I back my words up. Over last 2 years before establishing our site in fort smith. We have changed over close to 800 people to ubuntu. Ever single one is still using it today and would flat out tell you the 2 word monto if you tried get them to go back micro-soft.
The Desktop solution in world to day is big. Big enough to where alot people do not want all the extra’s that vista and xp offer or the slow speed.
I going leave one more point. We do this ever month. We take 3 computers. Vista, XP, and a (linux, Ubuntu flavor) and we all 3 up todate and Vista/XP with full anti-virus and spam support and we hit with them computers all restricted sites as well as dangerous sites. In last 2 years vista or xp to this date been able not to be ridden with virus or adware or spam yet we still have same ubuntu running from 2 years ago. Other 2 never make it whole month without crashing or totally losing performance.
Best Regard
Sam
This is my first post from my first netbook, an Asus Eee 1000 running Xandros. I wanted to buy a Dell mini Inspiron running Ubuntu but Dell still hasn’t shipped it and I wasn’t willing to wait any longer.
I’m already running Ubuntu on another PC and I want to run it on a netbook with Atom processor, no hard disk, decent sized keyboard etc. If the Asus 1000 came with bluetooth, Ubuntu, a 1024×800 (not 1024×600) pixel screen and a less sensitive track pad (it’s unusable) it would be terrific. However, I expect I’ll replace my laptop twice a year now and so I’m not too bothered about things that I’ll pick up on my next upgrade. That might change if I switched to an Apple. The rumours about the tablet iMac are certainly interesting.
http://wombatdiet.net/2008/07/24/25-years-of-laptop-evolution/
Agree with Audigex about drivers and OneNote, which is the last best reason to use an MS OS, and the default theme is horrible.
But Ubuntu is getting there and Vista isn’t
http://wombatdiet.net/2008/08/26/microsoft-worried-cheap-dogfood-300m-promotion/
Clarification: If I pay more for innovative hardware (e.g., an Apple tablet PC) I will replace it less often.
Another driver for change will be defecting to a brand for which linux drivers are available and supported. I chose the Asus over the MSI Wind and Acer Aspire etc. because of the strength of the community hacking on the platform. It means Ubuntu can be made to work (my project for the afternoon). Dell seem to want to make the right moves, pity their execution is so slow. Hopefully HP will follow quickly.
I’ve read that Ubuntu will support all Asus models in future. Don’t know if it’s true. Anyone? While I prefer Ubuntu, I’d be happy with any major Linux distribution that worked properly with the hardware, Debian especially.
The pain of MS withdraw touches us all. First we try Wine and cross platform open-source apps, then we dual-boot and virtual machine. After learning so much from the weening process, we shrug the shoulder, Linux can stand on its own. Gimp may not have the feature depth of Photoshop, but you can’t complain about what is can do for free. Do you want games or just MS games? My point is that Linux is not an MS replacement, it is a different platform, the apps are supposed to be different, yet do the same things.
To date Ubuntu has offered the most convenience and variety in a Linux distro. You just got to appreciate Linux for what it is. It is similar to Red Hat, but I think better, as a company and as a product.
As far as hardware is concerned, most install Linux in panic mode. They did not intend to install Linux when they bought their hardware, now the scramble to find a way to make it work. If you buy Linux compatible hardware first-off, the problems are diminished, pre-installed is even better. If hardware makers are too legally entangled with MS to make Linux compatible stuff, then the market is open for new companies to start up.
Ubuntu supports way more hardware than XP natively. In my experience Ubuntu usually has drivers OOTB. My HP printers will auto install, web camera driver built in, cannon camera works with no effort. Really people who complain that Ubuntu doesn’t have drivers really haven’t much experience with it. Linux supports more hardware than any other OS. You are responsible to buy Linux compatible hardware anyway or don’t whine.
LAS, I agree with you completely on the hardware. I think of all the time I have spent looking for drivers that would work on a preinstalled version of Vista (funny you would have to do that but that’s how great Vista is). With the same laptop I put Ubuntu on it hit enable on two of the restricted drivers and bam I’m in business. I fail to see how hardware support is a problem with Linux. Actually, I’m amazed at the hardware support because nearly all hardware is designed for Windows and not Linux but amazingly enough it usually works just as well if not better on Linux.