The Ubuntu Experience

I’ve been tinkering with my laptop for the last week or so, and finally I was able to dual boot with Linux Ubuntu (Gutsy Gibbon v. 7.10) and Windows XP Service Pack 2. The result of which, as I was trying to show in my last post, is an OS X desktop look:

Deuts Desktop

I’ve searched the web for any help on how to do it, and so far the tutorial by Shailen Sobhee offered the greatest help, especially with the ability to choose at which operating you want to boot upon start up. I just wished though that from the start (not just in the comments section), he should have offered the procedures on how to partition (using the Paragon Partition Manager) the original Windows installation, that way I could have avoided losing my original installation (you see, I’m running a packaged Windows XP software into my machine with a systems recovery partition). Anyway, if you follow his tutorial, I suggest that you read through including the comments to know better. Nevertheless, it was a good and informative tutorial.

Using the Avant Window Navigator, I was able to mimic the Mac OS X Leopard (as can be seen in the screenshot) with the window dock. And with Compiz and its 3D effects, the results can be even better than the Mac interface.

With the upcoming release of the next version of Ubuntu (v. 8.04 – Hardy Heron, 4 days to go as of this writing), ti’s getting more exciting. I’m just wondering what’s in store for the new version.

Why Dual Boot?

The Windows XP is heavily bloated (although I prefer it over Windows Vista, the latter is simply crap!). It’s just too hard to explain how miserable working with Windows all the time. I believe, this site can even explain it better. After all it’s an act of standing for a free society, right?!

Why dual boot, why not simply switch platform altogether? That was actually the hardest part. I need iTunes, I need Photoshop, to name a few. These programs are not offered in Linux. I know there are alternatives that work with Linux, but I just simply need them. Anyhow, anytime, I might just need a Windows PC to do a task.

Yet, it’s interesting to note the The Top 50 Proprietary Programs that Drive You Crazy โ€” and Their Open Source Alternatives.

Conclusion

The Ubuntu experience has been fascinating. It’s good to know that almost all hardwares are supported in Linux. Drivers for external hardwares are available in their repositories. Just like my Canon Selphy CP510 printer, I thought I couldn’t use it while I’m at Ubuntu, but they just do have drivers for that old printer — amazing!

Working with Ubuntu has been a learning experience for me. I was thinking, if ever I could have my own business in the future, I would gladly utilize the open source Linux and free distros like Ubuntu in our everyday computing. That way, I can spare myself from paying huge amounts for operating systems and another for office applications for each terminal.

9 Comments

Shailen Sobhee April 20, 2008 Reply

This is a great blog indeed. I shall add you to my blogroll list.

I fervently welcome your creative incentive and motive to quote all these useful links in this blog article.

The ‘Why Dual Boot?’ part is very informative, and I hope everyone can make learn a lot from this wealth of knowledge.

I am glad that my article helped you in getting the dual boot settings right..

Keep up the good job Jorelle,

And have a nice time over there in Philippines ๐Ÿ™‚

deuts April 20, 2008 Reply

Hi Shailen, thanks for visiting my site. I just really can’t express myself clearly…or rather convincingly…at why I want to dual boot, that’s why I just provided those links.

I know a thing that’s cooler, that is to own your own domain name and start blogging from there. ๐Ÿ˜€

Robert JA Basilio Jr April 21, 2008 Reply

Hi Sirโ€”

Thanks for replying to my comments at this other blog, which was especially made for Asus EeePC.

Anyway, I currently use a PowerBook G4 and an AlphaSmart Dana.

Do you think I would like an Asus EeePC, especially if I install enough plug-ins to make it look and work like a Mac?

From what I’ve seen and read, it appears that I may after all take to Ubuntu. I am seriously thinking of getting an Asus EeePC. A friend of mine got one and I was amazed at its sheer portability.

Your blog’s useful, by the way.

deuts April 21, 2008 Reply

Thanks Robert for the compliments. Regarding the Asus EeePC, I wonder do you really need one (with already the two computers in your arsenal :D). But if your intention is really portability, the Asus EeePC is a great laptop that’s already capable of the usual things you do with a computer (sans Photoshop of course, which will surely choke in the EeePC).

I have to warn you though, the keyboard in the Eee is kind of inconvenient. You can at any time plug a wireless USB keyboard though if you’re at home. Even the originally installed Xandros have drivers for USB keyboards, much more Ubuntu.

Robert JA Basilio Jr April 21, 2008 Reply

Thanks again for the reply. And yes, I admit, as someone who doesn’t maximize the capabilities of my computers, I do have a lot of word processors. By the way, I also have an Apple eMate, two of which are with my nieces, and another PowerBook 2400C, which I lent to my sister in law.

In any case, small keyboards are no problem. The 2400Cโ€”during its timeโ€”was the smallest Mac computer ever. There was an adjustment period of course but I had an easy time. And I suppose i’ll have an easy time with the Asus as well.

If only Apple would care to develop something like the EeePC. Hmp. The portability of the EeePC is something that really tempts me to buy one. I’ll let you know if I give in. ๐Ÿ™‚

Thanks again.

Robert

deuts April 21, 2008 Reply

@ Robert, if that’s case then go get one for yourself. ๐Ÿ˜€ You might as well want to wait for the 9″ version. Total size is almost the same. But the price is around P32,000 though. You can read it here.

At any rate, good luck! ๐Ÿ˜€

CypherHackz April 23, 2008 Reply

That is why I choose dual boot too. Some powerful applications does not support Ubuntu so I still need to use Windows at sometimes. For an example like for my final year project. The compiler works in Windows and not in Linux.

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