72 Hours in...(ok, I'll stop counting)

I'm going to take a break today from my series of "the good and the bad" to just hive you a broad update. So I realized something today as I was surfing the web and listening to my music, I realized that everything was coming almost as naturally as Windows and to be honest, it surprised me. This is partially because not only am I adjusting myself to a new operating system, I'm re-adjusting myself to Mozilla Firefox.
I used to use it during the days of IE6, but while I still had it on my computer for a few of its features, I rarely used it after IE7 came out. Allot of people seem to think that Firefox is the "best" but my favorite feature in Firefox was tabbed browsing and IE7 just seemed to do it so much better. But like I have said, re-adjusting has been surprisingly easy for me.
On a broad computer level however though I'm learning new things everyday and that seems to be the best part if this test. I still cant get CompizFusion to work but I guess I'll have to classify that as a work in progress.
But overall however, I am quite happy with Ubuntu and look forward to learning more about it.

Currently: Working my way to level 70 in World of Warcraft

48 Hours in...begining to "get it"

I'm starting to realize why many people choose Linux. It's very flexible and while it hasn't been the easiest adjustment, learning a new operating system has been “fun.” But anyways, here's the second round of good and bad Linux features.

After my laptop had come out of sleep mode I was about to sign in and I noticed an option called “leave a message” and I decided to experiment with it. I discovered that you can type a simple message and then, when the user signs in the messages will be displayed prominently. This just might be my number one wanted feature for windows to add. The uses in the business world for a feature like this are endless. For example, instead of leaving a sticky note on their monitor, just type them a quick message and not only save a few dollars on sticky notes but also cut down on the clutter and have a more professional looking workspace.

What has to be my biggest complaint about Ubuntu has to be the system for installing programs that you download off the internet. I still have trouble installing different programs that I would like to have on my machine. If they could borrow from Windows and develop a system for installation somewhat like an .exe file, because as far as I can tell, there isn't such a system yet.


Currently: working to get my music library transferred to Ubuntu

My First 24 Hours...here goes nothin'!

Wow. I have to admit, the first 24 hours has been rough. But not too rough for me to stay committed to exclusively running Ubuntu on my laptop for at least 30 days. Today I will begin my first multi-part series, every day I will examine a pro and a con of Ubuntu.

One of the first things I attempted to do on Ubuntu was listen to some of my mp3 files, but to my surprise, the included media program that was auto opened when I wanted to play some music (movie player) did not have the ability to play the files without first downloading codecs. This also shows one of Ubuntu's highlights however, as the system developed to find an download these files was the most useful and simple that I could have hoped for. When the player is unable to play a file, it will search for it for you and all you basically do is hold its hand from there and tell it everything is okay.

The most ironic thing I have found in a long time is Ubuntu's administration settings...or lack thereof, I'm not sure. One of, if not the, biggest complaint I have heard about Vista from all the Linux promoters/Microsoft haters is the,admittedly annoying, confirmation popup that you get whenever you try to change a setting or something. I have discovered the same thing in my release of Ubuntu! Not that I really have any problem with it. It's a security feature that has apparently become the easiest way to make people think twice before they do something. I just find it ironic, thats all.


Currently: trying to figure out how get CompizFusion working on Ubuntu. Needs some customness added to it.

I Arrive at the Kingdom of Ubuntu...

I've finally caved in.

After years of reading about the advantages of Linux over both Windows and OS X. Years of friends and fellow “techies” telling me that not only does “windows suck” but Linux is the greatest thing since sliced bread and more specifically, Ubuntu is the most incredible OS ever. So I decided to take the plunge. (after backing up many of my files to an external hard drive) I formated my drive and installed the most current release of Ubuntu, Gusty Gibbon. This wasn't the easiest of choices, as I have used Windows since the '95 days and changing operating systems isn't my idea of a nice vacation.

So here's what I'll be doing;

I have installed:

Ubuntu Release 7.10 (gusty)

Linux Kernel 2.6.22-14 generic

GNOME 2.20.0

My laptop:

Toshiba Satellite M115

Intel Celeron M CPU 420 @ 1.6 GHz

882.9 MB of RAM

Over the course of the next month, I'll be using Ubuntu as my day to day OS and provided I have something valid to say, I will post and let you know how it's coming along.

So until then, have fun.