Main Reasons Why I Switch from Windows 7 to Ubuntu 10.04
Ubuntu is probably the most popular Linux distribution. Recently, the latest version was updated to 10.04 and from now, I am going to use it for my regular computer work. I will save Windows 7 installation which I am going to use for playing Games on my computer!
To be honest, this was a first Ubuntu (and Linux) distribution I have really installed on my system. And I am very surprised how things are going so far! Everything load, work and open much better than with any other operating system I have ever tried!
Installation Process
Installation went successfully and all things where easy to setup. It took me no more than 20 minutes to install the whole system on my computer. I was also pleasantly surprised when I saw that during install Ubuntu has already discovered my Windows 7 installation and offer me to install it without even deleting or formating the whole disc! Ubuntu does that job for me!
After installation, it offer me to choose which system to use – completely supporting Windows 7 (and earlier systems) and work together with them easily and without any problems!
Boot and Performances
Well, I was skeptical when I saw a little longer first boot time of Ubuntu. But after the restart, I was way more than surprised pleasantly! After entering my account password, desktop and all programs related to it are shown within seconds! Way more faster than with any other system I have tried!
Ubuntu Desktop - Very fast and productive!
Then, I have opened Firefox which was already included in the installation – to make sure my Internet connection works. After clicking on the icon Firefox opened in a seconds! Well, I sad to my self that was just because my system is clean and freshly installed.
After adding some software to my system, installing a couple of Firefox extensions I have restart it again to try how good it would work after. I have to say that everything was the same just like with a fresh installation – everything opens and works much faster and looks more stable when I compare it to any other Windows operating systems I have used over the years!
Software, Drivers and Installations
This was the main reason why I have not use any other Linux distribution in the past. I guess everything you should install on this system takes so more time and require you some knowledge in that area!
After installing Ubuntu 10.04 everything was just the opposite I thought! With Ubuntu Software Center I could install and uninstall thousands of available free applications, software and even the games within a few clicks!
Thousands of quality free software, apps and games for Ubuntu
I have to agree that this access works better than with any other system where you have to firstly search for the software, download it and after install it on your system. This way, you can find many software easily and install them with just 2-3 clicks, from one place!
It surprised me how Ubuntu has already discovered most of my hardware and offer me drivers for these devices right after the installation, if there is an update necessary. The 64-bit systems already have some compatibility and drivers problem with my hardware – fortunately that was not the case with Ubuntu 10.04 x64 system at all!
My Work in the Future
I use Ubuntu for 3 days actively on my computer – without even going to my Windows 7 system. Actually, I did not need it for the most important things I do on computer.
When I want to do some office-job there is a just good and quality MS Office alternative – OpenOffice.org, which is by the way now fully compatible with the new Microsoft file formats and documents. When I wanted to edit something or write it quickly like on Notepad++ I have gEdit text editor which do this fast work very good – even more elegant than with it for me!
You can do practically every possible thing with Ubuntu like you do on your Windows operating system, including video player, codecs support, audio, multimedia conversion, image editing, video editing, optical-disc burning application, browsing the Internet and so much other things instead only one and completely unnecessary thing – to play a top-quality commercial games!
I agree it is a completely waste of time when you play the games on your computer, but I really do like to play games on my computer from time to time. And that is the only one reason why I have leave my Windows 7 operating system installed!
Except of that, everything else works fine and most things even better with Ubuntu – a completely free open-source operating system. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone from now on! So, I would recommend it for you too. I’m sure you would be pleasantly surprised like I do!