10 Reasons Why I Switched To Ubuntu
I’ve been running Ubuntu as my sole OS on my laptop for around 8 months now. I’ve had dual-boots and dabbled in Linux for servers and stuff for around 10 years or so, but this is the first time I’ve had it as the only OS on a system, that I use for day-to-day.
The system is a Dell XPS 1210, less than 12 months old, but granted using some hardware that is itself older than a year, maybe 2.
I had some teething problems at first, managed to fudge a few things to work, but the latest Ubuntu has sorted out the last few niggling things for me.
Here is a list of some reasons why I decided to changeover on a permanent basis for my personal system.
1. It’s Free
This has to be the number one reason. A fully functioning operating system, desktop, disk management, the whole bit, free. Can’t beat that.
2. It’s Modifiable
Conf files are your friend. Most aspects of Ubuntu have a text-file that you can edit to customise your experience.
3. It’s Light
In loading new systems with both Ubuntu and Windows XP, I’ve found they start roughly the same in terms of CPU utilisation and physical RAM usage (swap disks are a different matter). However, it doesn’t take long for Windows to just boot to double the ram usage it had when fresh.
Ubuntu stays lean, even if you’re running extravagant things like Compiz.
4. The Choice of Games is limited
Sort of… There are many games available for Linux, don’t get me wrong. The efforts of the people at WINE and DOSBox to make stuff go is awesome, and it’s good to see that developers are starting to release games for linux.
But this is my list and one of the tipping points for me was that I would be limited with games. I wanted my laptop to be for a purpose, specifically web, email, writing, the odd bit of dabble in developing websites, and learning (and re-learning!) linux stuff. I didn’t want to be tempted to throw on a bloat of games that always leave crap behind in your registry, no matter how hard you clean it. Xbox is for games, laptop is for tappity-tappity.
5. The Cool Kids Are Doing It
There is a certain amount of keeping up with the Jonesesness of running Ubuntu. Staying on the peak of the wave, trying out new things, and therefore having the opportunity to throw your 2c into the development of a useful application, even if it’s just a feature request.
6. Community
This one and #5 are more GNU/Linux in general, but it was an important factor for me. The knowledge that, with linux, somewhere, someone on the internet has already screwed up the same way you just did, and has a fix, is comforting. If Windows is installed, and it breaks, most fixes are “RELOAD”. Then while implementing the fix, you learn about why it broke, and that’s more valuable than just fixing it.
7. It’s Not Microsoft
It sounds petty, but it’s true. As much of an Xbox fanboy I am, I’m not a fan of their software.
Yes they’ve been instrumental in shaping what we consider a PC, and how we work with one (not solely responsible by any means, but a huge part), but their corporateness, if you get what I mean, is annoying. Linux generally, and Ubuntu specifically, just feels better. Almost like moving out of home, you don’t need to do what you’re told anymore, you do it your way. See Bug #1.
8. It Makes You Feel Superior
Well, it makes me feel superior… “Oh Windows? Right, I try to stay clear of legacy apps.”
9. It Does Everything I need It To Do
Once I verified that all my hardware would work - SD card reader, DVD burner, Wireless, Bluetooth, Webcam, there was no reason not to switch.
Hardware support improves every release, if not every day, and Dell already sell packaged Ubuntu systems with compatible hardware.
10. It’s The Way It Should Be
Further to #9, who decided it’s Good to make hardware specifically for an operating system? I see everything from video cards to whole systems “Designed for Windows”. Isn’t software easier to change? Well, I know it is cos I have experience on the hardware side of things. When did we start letting Microsoft, or any company for that matter, decide which hardware we use?
Hardware’s just the table, the OS and the programs are the dinner laid out upon it. It’s up to the chef to make it fit, not the carpenter to make the table bigger.
So that was some of the factors that tipped me over the edge to Ubuntu. What about you? Maybe these will give you something to think about if you haven’t switched.
If you haven’t yet, why haven’t you? What’s holding you back? Or, if you have switched, what were your deciding factors? Let me know in the comments.
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First off, congratulations on choosing Ubuntu! I switched to Ubuntu a year ago from MEPIS. I had used it off and on since it started, but I chose Ubuntu because it is the best supported distro and it has the largest repositories.
I switched to Linux from Windows 7 years ago and have never looked back. I can’t even use Windows without getting angry due to its lack of usability features (such as no virtual desktops), lack of choice and intrusiveness (nags, in your face updates and the necessity to re-boot afterwards). What bothers me the most is that I paid for Windows when I bought my computer and was not given a choice of OS.
It is lack of education, that benefits Microsoft. They want users to be content with their offering and do everything they can to keep people in the dark, so that people do not expect more of their OS.
As you say, Ubuntu delivers more (and so does just about every other distro).
i think my favorite part (besides #1,2,6 & 8) is the ease of installation. given the fact that the installation itself is roughly the same time (actually windows needs more time to “copy system files” i think), you can do everything in the livecd during the installation. there is no need to get bored to death while microsoft tells you what they think are the advantages of their system.
and then there’s the updates: my msdnaa-winxp is sp2, which means i have to download >100 updates. would be ok, if it wasn’t: download wga, check wga, 2 updates, reboot, 14 updates, reboot, 78 updates, reboot, 2 updates, reboot… you get the point. if you’re lucky enough the ms servers are so crappy that it takes hours, even over 10mbit dsl.
so hours later, the least you have to do is install some antivirus, firefox and your favorite im app, and there comes the drivers, which can be easily several 100mb for an up-to-date notebook.
in ubuntu it’s: install, boot, do some clicks for your graphic drivers, maybe the wireless (which can be a pain in the a**, but the improvement made at this sector is gigantic). then just hit your id in the preinstalled pidgin, open firefox and give the updatemanager its two(!) clicks. if it is too slow just select the next university to your location as repo (or let the tool find out which is the fastest) and watch your dsl-cable glow like the rising sun. usually after that first update a restart is needed, which is absolutely ok since it is the single and only restart you will have to do for the next few months if you don’t feel like it…
Linuxcanuck: You’re right with the lack of education point. For some The Windows *is* the computer, just like The Google *is* the intertubes.
Kendon: Install procedure, so obvious I’m surprised I missed it! Maybe I have PTSD from the last install of XP I did and I blocked it out. There is definitely something to be said for 6 month release schedules. With linux, it’s not that annoying, cos if you keep your home separate, you’re reloaded and running inside an hour, easy. Do that with Windows? Nope.
I too am an Ubuntu die-hard after about the same amount of time. All we use the PC for is internet/email. Period. I can stream any variety radio music via BMP - how cool is that?
All of this functionality at my disposal. Makes me wonder, why do people buy Macs - they co$t way too much. I agree (even when I just had Windows) - a gamesystem is best for games, if that’s what you want.
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