22) Ubuntu

www.ubuntu.com

I started using Ubuntu last year, after struggling with my computer's operative system for such a long time. I had all kind of anti-viruses and, I'm pretty sure, I still had a lot of viruses and unwanted programs running (always) my computer's hard disk. The screen was getting frozen more and more often, it took longer to open any kind of program. Opening web pages was getting slower and annoying. In a desperate attempt to save my computer of being smashed in small pieces, by me of course, I decided to install Ubuntu. Many of my friends have already installed Ubuntu and some of them, specially one, have insisted me for a long time to do the same.

Something that I resisted, mostly because of fears of compatibility and well, the “unknown”: What if it's more difficult? What if I can't handle it? What if I don't like it? What if I have to re-learn again the whole functionality process again? and so on... also, I had already some original versions of certain good programs like MS Office 2007, so installing Ubuntu would mean that I will loose all my “programs”. Unfortunately, and fortunately, I had no option since I couldn't continue working any longer, my computer was extremely slow and it was impossible to wait and wait until “it” wanted to work.

Ubuntu: I must admit I was more than surprise. The desktop display is really nice and simple, so nothing to be “afraid”, you can “easily” find anything you need. If “looks” is what matters to you? Well in my opinion it looks quite elegant the latest version “Ubuntu 10.04”, you can always customize it if you don't like the skin. The latest versions of Ubuntu have already installed certain good and useful programs like:

Firefox: It's a good program for surfing on the web. It's already installed in Ubuntu so you don't have to worry about “Oh my God! What if I can't surf any longer on Internet”. Internet is available in Ubuntu and it works exactly the same way, probably better, than with other operative systems.

Open Office: It has a working sheet, a word processor and the presentation program. You can create your word documents, use the sheet processor or make your presentations. It works pretty good, it might not have the 100 varieties of colours than other programs, but it has 70 so there are plenty to choose. It's simpler and easier, if what you want is just to write a document with a good format then it's perfect. Remember to save all files with .doc, .xls, and .ppt, just select it from the list so they can be easily open anywhere.

Mediaplayer: You can listen all kind of music and watch all kind of video files. However, there are plenty of programs for listening music or watching videos in Ubuntu and free.

There are plenty of already installed programs so you can read more in Ubuntu's web page, the basic ones that you need to work and surf on Internet are included. There are also a lot of programs that you can install for free for any purpose you want from leisure till work. Diaries, video editing programs, camera programs (to take picture of your screen), diet and exercise programs, games, etc. Plus, the already free programs you can download from Internet, like Skype, Chrome, Dropbox, etc.

It has a very interesting concept of organization as well, it has 4 different working screens, so in the first one I usually open Firefox, in the second the word or sheet processor, in the third Chrome/music player/pictures/etc. and the fourth it's usually empty (unless I am doing a lot of things at the same time) but it's there in case I need it.

Is it perfect? No, it is NOT perfect, but it works pretty good. The alternative versions of msn messenger do not support video calls, only video. If you are a 100% addicted to msn messenger video calls , then it might not be a good idea to change to Ubuntu. For video calls I prefer Skype, better quality and, in my opinion, it works better. Since I'm not a fan of video calls I can live with a messenger only for chatting and sometimes video without sound, and yes, you can keep all your funny messengers “faces” in Ubuntu.

You can google all the problems, English is the most common language for further instructions of how to solve any problem, but solutions can be found in other languages, most of the answers are in Ubuntu's forums. Check the dates since some solutions are very old. Some programs need a bit of configuration work since most of the programs are meant to be for Macintosh or Window, like for example to configure my usb-Internet stick was, and still is, quite annoying (a lot of googling). Nokia PC suite, the program needed for updating your (Finnish) Nokia mobile's software or synchronizing your mobile with your computer for transferring files, back ups, etc., only exists for Macintosh and Windows environment, ironic, since Linux was created in Finland. Open Office works fine, sometimes I forget to save the files with the standard .doc .xls and .ppt but nothing to be worried about it, you just save it again and that's it. No big deal.

I'm satisfied and I really don't want to deal any longer with viruses ever again. Sometimes Internet or Open Office freeze for a couple of seconds, but nothing to worry and definitely nothing compare to my previous operative system that could freeze up to 5 minutes or more.

You can install it partially in your computer so you can test it and see if you like it, if you don't, you just erased it and that's it. If you like it, just keep it. Ubuntu is updated every 6 months and it keeps getting better and better. I've experienced 2 updates so far and waiting for the next one. If you can't download it from Internet, you can get a CD with the program for free, you just need to pay the post.

P.S. No! I'm not getting any money for making advertising to Ubuntu, but since it's free, it's available in 24 different languages, it doesn't have viruses, it's easy, it works and I happened to install it when I started the planning of my business so it became a part of my project, learning about Ubuntu and about my business at the same time. For all of you who want to open a business, this is a good tool. Not the best one and it depends as well on the type of business you are planning to create, but for the basic, for studying, for surfing on Internet, for writing your thesis, a novel, homework's, etc. it works, and pretty good.

www.ubuntu.www