Wrapping up the Linux experiment

[johnridley]

This has been the most successful "Linux on the desktop" try yet for me. I really could continue to use it as is. However, the stack of little annoyances finally built up to where they're just not worth putting up with. I have workarounds for everything, but some of those involve booting a virtual XP box anyway. Mainly it's hardware compatibility (though I must say, in that respect great advances have been made), but the one that finally pushed me over the edge is a software issue that's apparently been around for years, but since it's not bothering any of the developers who know how to deal with the problem, it's not fixed.

Anyway, I remain impressed, and I may well recommend Linux in a few more places than I would have a month ago.

Comments

[bwittig.livejournal.com]

I got M a bare bones netbook for Christmas and I spent some time sneaking around and configuring it.

I was pleasantly surprised that Ubuntu recognized the built-in WIFI and the built in webcam. I spent more time identifying the files needed to synchronize Thunderbird than I did installing the OS.

So, it should happily do email, web browsing and open office documents as needed. And I was able to find a background image switcher and something to put the calendar on the background just like the desktop M usually uses. Not exactly sophisticated requirements, BUT, I did not have to shell out an additional $50-90 for windows.

[johnridley.livejournal.com]

I'd have absolutely no trouble using Ubuntu as a portable machine. It works well. The stuff I have trouble with is all stuff I'd only do at home; printing certain file types, running the scanner, etc.

Back before Windows 7, I found Ubuntu did an awesome job finding hardware and "just work"ing. These days Win 7 did just as well, at least with my new machine (with all new stuff, so perhaps not a fair test of compatibility with odd stuff).