I have been so busy lately, that I haven't had much of a chance to play around with my Ubuntu Linux (alternative to Windows) machine. Last night, I updated to the latest version of Ubuntu Linux 7.04 for free. Compare that to the minimum of $179 you would pay for the basic version of Vista. I was motivated to do the update not only because I promised I would learn more about Linux, but also because Dell released a story yesterday announcing their plans to sell Linux laptops and desktops computer starting this summer. It seems that Microsoft keeps getting hit day-after-day. Where will they be in 5 years? They certainly don't have the stature today that they had 5 years ago.
As you know, I installed Vista on my computer about eight weeks ago and have been moaning and groaning about it since then. My Vista computer has an extremely fast dual-core processor, 2 GB of RAM and a nice video card. Despite all that power and turning off 90% of the visual fluff in Vista, I don't think the machine runs as fast as my old Pentium IV 2.0 Ghz machine with 512mb of RAM.
On the other hand, this older piece mealed machine that I put together with parts from four different computer is a screamer with Ubuntu Linux on it. The Internet feels faster and more responsive, office programs are faster, the operating system is clean and easy to navigate. I'm having a ball for the first time in years learning about new technology.
Vista seems like an unnecessary chore. Ubuntu Linux seems like time well spent on a promising and exciting operating system.
Related articles:
- My last post….
- Demand compensation from Microsoft
- Ubuntu – Day 7
- Ubuntu Linux!!!
- I no longer recommend Ubuntu or Macintosh
Tags: install, Internet, laptop, laptops, linux, Mac, Microsoft, navigate, Office, ubuntu, update, Windows
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HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.
Sometimes I fall asleep listening to my radio on very low volume. I guess I hope I can absorb some information while sleeping. Anyway, I could have sworn I heard a story about MicroSoft setting a deadline beyond which they will no longer sell XP to computer manufacturers. That was right after I heard the story about Dell offering consumers the options of Linux and XP in addition to the Vista option. In their current coercive frame of mind, MicroSoft has got to hate that.
Anybody else hear that story? Or perhaps have a link to that story?
Vista might be cool, IF you have the extreme power (processor & RAM) necessary to run it up to par, but that costs the consumer noticeable (and, particularly in some fixed-income cases, inconvenient) amounts extra money. For those of us who merely send emails back and forth to family and friends, sometimes with digital photos attached, the Vista mega-power requirements seem inextricably attached to an inexcusably impolitic disregard for a significant share of the computer user market. Such disregard normally carries with it natural consequences which may encourage MicroSoft to re-examine its marketing policies.
The whole thing should be fascinating to watch. I think I’ll cook some popcorn, put my feed up, sit back and watch the show!
The article, “Dell to Expand Linux Options”, is linked to the Dell website. See
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/03/13/7985.aspx.
The talk string is the kind of thing I love to read, because you can learn so much from so many of the people who are already using Ubuntu and love it. I plan to copy the talk string into an MSWord doc, and highlight the most useful parts for later research. That’s how I learn, in addition to regularly attending Rick’s and Adam’s classes, and regularly reading their blog on HelpMeRick.com (which I have as my homepage).