Thread: Switching to Ubuntu?

Before you try any version of linux I'd suggest you download the latest KNOPPIX, burn it to a CD or DVD and try it out. it allows you to run linux from your Disk Drive without the installation process.

Knoppix comes in a bare bones version for CD tryout and a full blown version for DVD tryout (DVD only works on machines with bootable DVD options in the cmos).

Knoppix will allow you to see the basic featurs of linux and the various desk top environments such as gnome or KDE, open office, gimp, and much more.

Once you've decided whether or not you like the desktop options and standard applications packaged with most linux installations (such as knoppix demonstrates), you can then go about trying out the flavors of linux for permanent install.

Ubuntu and Kubuntu are Novell renderings from what I've read so I stay away from them since the post about Novell selling out and entering into a license agreement with Microsoft.

RedHat has the free "fedora" that is its experimental version. TAO linux has the free version that is essentially the more stable RedHat Enterprise.

I personally like the versions with automated installers such as yum or yast so I typically stick to fedora. KDE is supposedly very similar to windows for those who prefer the windows environment for the comfort of familiarity.

What I've found with linux is that 1) finding and installing software takes advanced user skill and sometimes IT professional patience , this is regardless of the flavor. 2) Microsoft has taken a lot of the open source functions within the open source compilers and rewritten them, added to them, etc. and tried to pass them off as original so that those who try the compilers are often left with the misimpression that linux has offered a poor clone of microsoft coding abilities when in reality the linux functions are more stable and less bug ridden , and microsoft's codes are the poor pathetic clone attempt as far as I can see .

There is no perfect OS but linux has several million developers working together and contributing to the projects and 99% of the software provided for linux is FREE. Additionally Linux doesn't try to make it easier for the government and the developing organizations to control what You the user can and cannot do with your machine. It seems to me that Microsoft wants you to pay for the privilege of them controlling and eventually owning your computer while you beg them for permission to use it.

"Hi, My name is Glen and I'm a recovering Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer"

Everyone in unison now . . . . "HI GLEN"

Let us begin our Microsoft's Anonymous meeting . . . . .

Glen F