What are your opinions of Ubuntu? Let's start with mine...?

Question

I just installed Ubuntu, replacing Vista, 3 days ago because I liked Ubuntu's philosophy as a company (plus it was free). However, after the initial satisfaction of a successful install, I immediately encountered setbacks. Now some of them just needed a little getting used to which could be expected from the OS switch. But some have persisted and I'm either still trying to figure them out or I've given up on them entirely hoping they'll be "fixed" on the next release.

I feel Ubuntu's not yet up to par with Windows (even Vista). It's a great OS in concept but once the average computer user (usually from Windows) gets his hands on it and decides to commit to using it, it starts to get complicated.

Overall, I still think Ubuntu has a long way to go if it wants to truly compete with the dominant OSs. Though relatively technically sound, it can still improve the way it interacts with its users, current and POTENTIAL. Otherwise, average users will not want to stick around.

Answer 1

Please be more specific with the problems you have encountered so I can answer your question.



LUg.



Edit :

As far as my own opinions I think it would be best if I copied from an answer I gave a little while back https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20080623232559AAVSfDT&show=7#profile-info-0d75d1a697ce235f4b06447babfe5014aa



'I can only tell you why Linux has succeeded for me, where it did not do so before.

I used to consider Linux users to be nothing short of a bunch of weirdos and belonging to an even more elitist and stuffy club than 'MAC Users' yes it really was that bad.

Looking back there were two reasons for this, the first was my ignorance as I didn't understand it and the second I had a friend that used a very complex Linux distro. and seemed to spend eternity at his PC to just install a single application.

So there I was unwilling to even consider Linux.

I happened upon the Linux as I know it purely by accident on Youtube. There was a video with the old Ubuntu 6.10 running the original first generation Compiz 3D Desktop Effects. The first thing I did was to set about finding out if that application could be run on Windows XP which is what I was running at the time, and of course it came as no surprise that it was not compatible. This is where I took my first tentative looks into Linux.

I created a partition for Ubuntu 6.10, fingers crossed and installed it. Ubuntu 6.10 was getting there but still much to do in the Terminal, anyway first time around I nearly gave up at the first hurdle as it was so different to point and click of XP.

Anyway I took time to learn it properly, Ubuntu 6.10 turned out to be a great experience for me and the Compiz 3D effects WOW !

So now I am 18months or so down the line and Windows having been booted out with Vista being the final straw. There are Ubuntu's 7.04 /7.10/ 8.04, all of which have been made user friendly and far more appealing to the masses.



Linux now succeeds where it did not do so before because the people understand it.'



LUg.

Answer 2

If you are jumping from windows to Linux (dosent matter what distro) without any intermitent stage with a dual boot configuration then you are going to face alot of problems. Linux is more of a command based OS, and every aspect of Ubuntu can be changed upgrade moded, and customised. However unlike windows Ubuntu does not offer a simple interface, instead you have to use the command line. As a result Ubuntu is better than windows in just about every way except simplicity. (Which is the point of linux, this means that the user can change anything they want without having to deal with a simlifing user interface that limits options).



Moving to Ubuntu simperly because you like the bussness structure and because Ubuntu is free is a very foolish move. Also Ubuntu does not sport the same level of copatabilty because many computer today use parts that are desinged to be use with windows only. If you want an almost seemless swap from a driver point of view then buy a DELL computer as they are renowed for the ease of use with linux.

Answer 3

I also killed vista for Ubuntu. It was the smartest decision I've ever made. Installation was so easy and I only had to install Nvidia drivers for my graphic cards. Even that was just a simple click and restart. I think Ubuntu is more than enough for the average user. I think the installation of programs that are not listed in the add program/remove section could be easier to install. It took me a while to get my wireless internet card to work, but after a few weeks I finally just gave up and bought a card that was compatible with Linux. I'm a huge gamer so of course I still have to boot in XP, but its so simple to dual boot between Ubuntu and XP, that's why I suggest all my friends and family to use Ubuntu.



I understand Ubuntu is not for everyone, especially the crackers and the people stealing everything off the web. They can't go without Windows because there options of downloading movies, software, etc is almost non existing with Ubuntu.



I do believe that in a few years the market will call for more open source products, especially operating systems and Ubuntu will benefit from it because its already been available to users for free and its the most popular FREE OS, outside of only Windows and Mac. Ubuntu has had the opportunity to fix most of its glitches with beta versions and customer feedback's. I say in 4 years Ubuntu will move to second best operating system, well at least that's my hope for Ubuntu.

Answer 4

If your a windows user and just started going in to linux you'll have some trouble i'm sure when you first started with windows it wasn't that easy



linux it's a little bit harder to learn i would say ubuntu and other several linux system are probably the most easiest of all i don't agree with the (I feel Ubuntu's not yet up to par with Windows (even Vista)



People mostly these day's want things to be simple and want the computer to do everything for them and for them to not do a single thing Here's the difference between the lazy other competitors and linux ...Here they give you the opportunity to learn and explore.Linux isn't for everyone i personally love it and find it superior to any other os out there it has it's ups and downs just like anyother system but Here in linux you can fix those Downs yourself.

Answer 5

A fair and good analysis of your experience. Thanks. My opinion is a bit different. I enjoy Ubuntu, and keep the 7.10 release on a small drive cause I like the way I have it configured. Your ideas might actually apply to ALL the flavors of Linux. This is from a big fan, too! It was the idea, and freedom that eventually bought me back to the Linux fold. Sure, I still use XP, and Macs stuff, but I support Linux in whatever fashion I can. I"ve been through Ubuntu, Mint, and several others. With Vista your most recent experience, let me suggest using PCLOS, Sabayon, Mandriva Spring, or Open SuSe LiveCD to get a taste for those offerings.

Answer 6

Ubuntu is a great experience for me

I learned things in Ubuntu after 2 months of use that i couldn't do in windows (after 7 years of using )

I am using Ubuntu for 4 months now .

every problem you might face in Ubuntu someone new has faced before

just search for your problem and you will find tons of answers

the Ubuntu forum is very friendly and have most of what you need

just to be honest about my Ubuntu experience

when i installed 7.10 i still have xp in my boot but didn't use it

but with 8.04 the browsing was slow and this is a kill for me so I installed pclinux (and still have Ubuntu )

most of the problems you are talking about i have faced before when switching to Ubuntu and i would be glad to share it with you .

Answer 7

Firstly the reason that you are unable to get use to Ubuntu may be because you are still in the Windows mentality. Unless you have worked with other UNIX systems before.



Ubuntu is based on DEBIAN GNU/LINUX

Linux was originally designed to model after UNIX system so logically all the systems look UNIX-like



The original UNIX design was not made to be user friendly

UNIX focus on reliability and simplicity in design thats why it was the choice of system for servers and university used it for learning.

The reason was because at that time computing resources were limited systems had to be arcane to be able to fit into the limited hardware. A Graphical System wouldn't be able run on the best computers and do high computational work at the same time



I think your distaste of ubuntu is probably due to the fact you do not like to meddle with files like /etc/fstab

/etc/rc.conf etc

Windows do have similar systems but is hidden from users eyes for reasons like propriety and commercial technology

The reason i like BSD (another UNIX like system)

Is the fact that it does not shield OS technologies from user eyes enabling you to learn more



And it is the choice of server for high traffic networks (yahoo uses BSD servers)



The reason they cannot oversimplify the system is because they would have have to redesign the system from scratch.

Oversimplification will lead to low versatility because there are many hidden setting is required for an OS to be able better accustom to their task (optimization)

Hiding some of them would render it less capable of other task like server system and ubuntu btw is already simplifying itself by alot

& Ubuntu is also marketed as servers



Also Ubuntu like all GNU/Linux was not designed as an OS by itself

For it to retain compatibility with the Linux kernel it cannot change too much

Ubuntu is simply a software package added onto a Linux kernel was not designed to be a complete OS by itself.

This is the main reason i dislike Linux distros



However BSD is designed as a whole OS by itself but the developers did not want to sacrifice simplicity for power so it is also not user friendly



Support for Linux is not to gather lots of customers unlike microsoft

They don't sell Ubuntu/Linux

They are willing to welcome whoever embraces it

And giving the rest a Free alternative



Support will surely improve

For normal usage Ubuntu is already able to perform without any issue

For power users I am sorry to say you have to pick up the knowledge to UNIX operation

Which is what i am doing on my FreeBSD laptop current. Cheers