Ubuntu 7.04

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I've downloaded the Ubuntu 7.04 'Feisty Fawn' desktop and server install ISOs, and am having a bit of a play using VMware.

They're real nice!

Anyone else tried them out, or even better, anyone using Ubuntu as their main OS?

P

[Guest ianbennett]

I've been using Ubuntu (desktop) as the main OS on 'my' PC for a couple of months (although there are a couple of Windows boxes around the house that I and other family members use). I started off with Edgy Eft (6.10) then fairly quickly upgraded to the Feisty beta, as my sound card didn't work under Edgy. I have been using the full Feisty release since it came out.

I really really like it as an OS itself - it's fast, responsive, secure, looks great, and everything just works. It feels like a proper grown-up OS - I use Unix at work and I can use a lot of the same commands to get things done quickly. Having said that, I am seriously considering going back to Windows.

Although OpenOffice makes a fantastic job of Microsoft Office document compatibility, it is not 100%, which means that some Word documents or Excel spreadsheets don't work or look exactly as they should. Also, I had a couple of other programs that I used regularly (ACDSee to organise my photos, MediaMonkey for my MP3 collection); again there are equivalents for these (eg F-Spot and Amarok), but they just don't quite have the functionality that I am used to. On top of that, I have a problem where transferring large files across the network from the Ubuntu box to a Windows box (but not vice versa) is desperately slow, and despite trying some fixes that I found by searching the 'net, I have not been able to fix this.

So it is really just a few niggles that are tempting me back to Windows. I don't have a problem with that - I have never been one of those rabid Microsoft haters. I just want a computer that works without giving me hassle, and Windows has never really given me any hassle, perhaps because I am used to how everything works. If I do go back, I will certainly keep Ubuntu as a dual boot, because for day to day use (email, web browsing, basic documents and spreadsheets, etc) it really is a joy to use.

Despite the niggles I have had, I heartily recommend anyone to give Ubuntu a try. You don't have to use VMWare images - an easier way might be to use the Live CD, which runs (albeit a bit slowly) entirely from the CD and does not update anything on your hard disk.

Good luck!

Ian

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

I'm using VMware for other stuff anyway, so it made sense for me :rolleyes:

I'm going to see later if I can get my S710 syncing to evolution, and write up a guide if it works. Should be fun :P

P

[Guest ianbennett]

This might get you started:

http://www.ubuntugeek.com/pocket-pc-syncin...-in-ubuntu.html

I've never been bothered about syncing Windows Mobile devices with Evolution, as I sync over the air with a hosted Exchange Server (which Evolution connects to quite happily, by the way). I did try a couple of weeks ago to see if it would at least recognise my Axim or Mteor (to copy files on and off), but without any luck. That was before I saw the article above, though, and I haven't had time since to try it again.

Ian

[Guest OzzMosiz]

Just installed Ubuntu desktop on my PC this week. I love it so far. I like the fact that I'm not going to get lots of crap in a registry. One thing windows is really bad at is removing software and registry info for that deleted software.

[Guest M1TNT]

I'm using VMware for other stuff anyway, so it made sense for me :rolleyes:

I'm going to see later if I can get my S710 syncing to evolution, and write up a guide if it works. Should be fun :P

P

Loving Ubuntu - been running it on a duel boot system for about 2 months now - only recently got Thunderbird with webmail extensions to work so now I am going to take the step of trying to sysnc to it.

All good fun

I will post details of how I got on with this - I have a M3100 so its going to be a fun one.

[Guest spacerace]

Had Ubuntu (Fiesty) installed as the main OS on my desktop for about 2 weeks now, and for 99% of stuff it's brilliant, but if you're a moderate to power user on windows (as mentioned earlier by ianbennett) there are lots of little niggly things that you soon start to miss...

being free gives it a big edge, but anyone who's used windows for several generations has sub-consciously learnt lots of little tips and certain ways of doing things that suddenly all go out the window!