Customer Reviews

Ubuntu 7.10 [OLD VERSION]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been using Ubuntu since version 6.06, and I love it! Some of the more useful features include:
1) Synaptic Package Manager - A central location in which I can find and install/remove just about any software. Windows has nothing like this!
2) Automatic updates, for all installed software. Not just what came preinstalled with the operating system.
3) Hardware support - With the exception of certain ATI graphics cards (and that's ATI's fault for writing bad drivers), Ubuntu's hardware support is the best I've seen. You plug something in, it works, end of story.
4) Clean, well-designed, and infinitely customizable interface. My Ubuntu looks *exactly* how I want it to look.

I have been using Ubuntu for about a year on an older PC that I was going to trash. Intermittently I would have a crash problem (likely due to the video card which I didn't want to pay to replace.) The lastest distro 7.10 has been so much more stable and user friendly- I have had only once crash since I installed it over 2 months ago. I use it daily, sometimes for hours at a time.

The biggest surprise is all the open source software that comes with it and works as well, if not better, than those created for Windows. And all for $0.00! Additionally, the Ubuntu community support and documentation exceeds anything for Windows.

Long Live Ubuntu!

I am a graduate student of astronomy and I started using personal computers in 1981 and that was one of the first IBM PCs with DOS. Until summer of 2005, I used Windows exclusively, but then started looking for something better in the form of Linux/Free Unix. December of 2007, I switched my home network over to Ubuntu Linux and purchased a Dell computer with Ubuntu Linux pre-installed. That was the last time I touched a Windows computer:
Best things about switching to Ubuntu Linux:

No more viruses to worry about, Ubuntu is FREE, Complete install and configuration can be done in minutes (Windows used to take me days to get it completely configured), updates are optional at the user's discretion, By contrast, Microsoft pushes updates to you whether you want them or not. With Ubuntu, Every 6 months you have new major release with exciting new features you can try. I love the silly names for Ubuntu Releases:"Gutsy Gibbon" is the current release and "Hardy Heron" is next in April of 2008 with lots of new stuff to play with. Ubuntu works particularly well with older hardware and can be used to resurrect an old Dell or Gateway or other dinosaur computers that you have sitting around gathering dust. Windows Vista release was an expensive DISASTER plain and simple, get Ubuntu and try it today...I bet you have an old computer that would love to live again, re-incarnate it with Ubuntu...did I mention it is FREE? For grins I recently built a computer from scratch for under 200 dollars and installed Ubuntu Linux on it...worked no problem...I am no wizard either...if I can do it so can you...

Man, Ubuntu just keeps getting better! It's easy to install. It includes a LOT of extra software including the awesome OpenOffice.org office suite. You get a lot of games including Aisleriot Solitaire which includes TONS of different solitaire games from Thirteen to Klondike to Golf and so on.

You also get the award-winning Firefox web browser for virtually worry-free web surfing.

For the multimedia lovers, Ubuntu includes a nifty iTunes-like music player (Rhythmbox) and a nifty movie player (Totem), both of which can play popular multimedia formats - including MP3s, AACs, and DVDs - once you install the necessary multimedia codecs.

Ubuntu installs easily with just a few clicks and a tiny bit of typing (you have to supply a user name and password for your user account), and it is easy to install Ubuntu on a computer already running Windows, giving you the choice of either an easy-to-set-up dual-boot configuration or have Ubuntu take over the entire hard disk.

And if you have powerful video hardware, Ubuntu comes pre-installed with Compiz-Fusion for nifty desktop video effects such as minimize/maximize/restore animations as well as a view of your virtual desktops as a 3D cube.

I'd been a long itme windows user and was looking for a change. I got tired to constantly downloading updates to buggy problems in Windows. I got tired of hearing about the latest security hole. I got tired of beta testing software that I paid for, and most of all I got tired of being told that M$'s vision is the only one worthy.

So...I looked for a difference. I like the Mac, I liked the fact that it was UNIX based. I like OSX. But I can't justify the price for something that is pretty, no matter how well it works.

Then I found SimplyMepis and Ubuntu.

I tried SimplyMepis, dual booting it with Windows XP and it was good, but I wanted more.

I downloaded and tried Ubuntu. Power, speed, flexibility and ultimate customization. No more worrying about spyware or virii. Quick and easy to use. Every piece of hardware I had just worked. The community is something to behold. Very hlepful people and no zealots.

So as of 2 weeks ago, I reformatted my hard drive, installed Ubuntu and am completely M$ free and loving it!

The best distro out there by far in my opinion!

I found a Dell Dimension desktop 2350 at a thrift store for $20 everything was intact with the exception of the memory had been removed, I bought it. I had a spare memory chip laying around that fit, so I installed it, the computer booted right up, then a problem, the previous owner had locked out windows xp with an administrator password. So I got on my notebook, downloaded the Ubuntu iso image, burned it to a disc, and installed it my new second hand desktop. Booted right up, no problems, now it is running perfect.
I did not have to configure anything at all. All the desktop hardware it working perfect. I upgraded the memory got 2 gigs in it now, and installed a wifi network card, which was promptly detected by Ubuntu and is working.

Ubuntu, in my book, is the best OS around.

I thought learning linux would be hard, but it is not.

I've been playing around with linux for over two years, and I love it. I have a small pc at home that runs windows so I can do things that require windows (like some sites require ie or games), but other than that, my laptop for school and my main pc at home both run ubuntu.

If you're thinking about switching there are a few things I think you should consider.
-If you are happy with Windows, why leave a good thing, right? Same thing goes here, if you are happy with what you had you'll just miss it.
-There is a learning curve, so do not expect that you can do all tasks right away. Dual boot is recomended for beginners, but try really hard to do it on ubuntu before switching. (there are even ways to install ie 6 on linux systems)
-With linux, remember there is almost always a free version. For any piece of software you could ever need, there is usually a free version. It may not be perfect, but if its either settle with the GIMP or shell out $300 for Photoshop, its up to your needs and budget.
-Most 3d games will not work on linux, and even some that are for linux are teduius to set up and install. So if you are a gamer, no, linux is not for you.

There are many other things to think about, but with a bit of research I'm sure you can find many articles about the subject. I've enjoyed watching ubuntu grow, and it is a great OS with lots of potential...oh and did I mention, upgrades are free too!

This version 7 isn't the latest. There's new version available! Ubuntu 8.04 and Linux Training Library 2CDs set I tried before many other Linux distros but Ubuntu is my favorite by far! It is friendly, complete and compact. Great OS, great design!

I've been a Ubuntu user for a few months now and decided to write a review to help others.
Try Ubuntu to experience a better Operating System (I think not only better, but also best).
I really got inspired by the Ubuntu Promise (No commercial intention), Ubuntu Philosophy of Software Freedom and community support. I'm impressed with the Ubuntu's simplicity / user-friendliness / power / security etc.
Ubuntu comes with all the best open source / free software (Open Office, Firefox,etc.) and has a strong community and is growing super fast.
Thanks to the great minds behind the Ubuntu, GNU/Linux, Open Office and the Open Source / Free Software Community.

If I were just learning Ubuntu and had subsequent experience with Window Vista, It would be difficult for me to understand why anyone would even consider the latter OS as preferable, given the vast array of Linux software at minimal if any expense compared to the constant, time consuming, and budget breaking upkeep of Windows programs and the price of many additional applications one may wish to add. Open source software and Linux have provided the opposite experience. Happily my Windows Vista crashed on my year old laptop and without the Windows Vista OS disk that is no longer supplied with a computer purchase, I was "forced" to again resort to Linux, and I had forgotten just how great the Ubuntu program is. I say a silent thanks to all those folks who gave us Linux and Ubuntu and who continue to develop a superb OS for all of us to use.

One additional brief anecdotal comment- I note some complaints regarding wireless speed and connectivity- I have had no such problems on my system.