For the purpose of this entry, Linux refers to Ubuntu – a Debian based linux disto, and XP stands for eXPerience (of course, as in Windows XP).
For litgeeks (the little geeks – in between of geeks and non-geeks) like me, testing new software is always as lucrative as watching a new movie can be. And, then of course there will be a few crashes resulting in hours of re-installation and all every six months or so.
Linux is the biggest flirtation for litgeeks using Windows. And, after years of thinking about it, I set up myself to give a try; and here are my experience of using Ubuntu!
After trying to install (and being unable to because I was not very sure of what to do because I wanted to keep my Windows XP running) a few distros (including OpenSuSe, DSL and Federo, I finally get Ubuntu to get what I needed to do. It’s on a live CD so it booted and then I could do the installation from within it (though I read later installing Ubuntu is not easy because of its lack of GUI).
The easiest thing with Ubuntu was that it could recognize and mount all the disks and removable disks and it kept me away from mounting disks. Then, my modem was not recognized, so I am still without the internet connection on my Ubuntu.
I loved using Linux, for its simplicity and choices of softwares but then there are problems. My Ubuntu neither plays my DVDs nor the MP3s. I got to get extra programs to do it all. And, installing extra programs can be painful particularly because there names are confusing and then there are various ways of doing it. Unless, its a .Deb, the file will not install easily on my Ubuntu.
For as for everything else in our life, a few uses and internet searches for help, I am growing familiar with it. Now, neither root or terminal or sudo create confusion on me nor using a few commands on command line. But then I am still trying to find out the way to get the modem work!
For the litgeeks like me, here are a few suggestions if you all are thinking of using Linux:
- Don’t dare replace Windows. For the beginning just have a copy of both.
- Don’t get scared of names and commands, with times, you will learn all you need. Internet is of course the biggest resource.
Now, I understand why Linux users are proud of it! Because its not easy for those used to Windows and using it is an achievement itself.
