Ubuntu Linux for Windows Users
- Introduction
- Installing and Configuring Ubuntu
- Available Software
- Final Thoughts & Additional Resources
The latest Ubuntu Linux release seems to have been a huge hit. Review after Review after Review have pretty much pegged it as the next best thing since sliced bread, but does this release of Ubuntu Linux live up to the hype?
We have been putting Ubuntu Linux 10.04 through the paces for over a month, and we can see how it received such shining reviews. It is probably the best Ubuntu Linux release to date, although it still has some minor problems. For instance, there are still some issues when trying to install some applications (try to install gnochm), there are still problems connecting to some NFS Servers and there is still a lack of Graphical System Administration Utilities.
Since we released a Linux Distribution Shootout only a few months ago and most of the Ubuntu issues we raised in that article are still prevailiant, we decided against creating a "review" of this release of Ubuntu Linux and instead focused on one of the new features that not too many people have touched upon, namely the inclusion of a new Ubuntu Installer for Windows and how the Distribution stacks up for Microsoft Windows Users.
A Note on Linux: Linux is actually only the kernel of a complete system. Many contributors like to call a complete Linux system a GNU/Linux system. The GNU stands for GNU's Not Unix (a recursive acronym) and is the system first started by Richard Stallman, then later developed with the coordination of the Free Software Foundation. The idea of GNU/Linux is to get the point of freedom across when you discuss the operating system. We have decided that our site will use the generic name Linux to signify the whole system, but please, keep software freedom in mind when reading our Linux articles.
Why Ubuntu Linux is Excellent for Windows Users
There are quite a few Linux Distros available to use, with new ones popping up all the time. It can be hard for new users to figure out which Linux Distribuiton that they should use. Although Ubuntu Linux isn't the best distribution for everyone, in our opinion it is the best Linux Distribution for new users. Here are some of the reasons for this:
Hardware Support - Ubuntu Linux, with the inclusion of it's "Hardware Drivers" utility, provides the easiest way to install Proprietary Drivers to support devices that do not have "Free" drivers available. These devices are pretty much boiled down to NVidia and ATI video Drivers and quite a few Wireless Network Adapter. Nearly all other hardware is supported with drivers within the Linux Kernel and should "just work".
Easy Software Management - Ubuntu Linux provides 3 ways to install software onto your system; Ubuntu Software Center, Synaptic Package Manager and from a bash prompt. The Ubuntu Software Center provides a very easy interface for new users to be able to install various programs onto their systems.
Ubuntu's Software Center and the Synaptic Package Manager
Synaptic Package Manager allows more advanced users to have full control of the software on their systems. The Synaptic Package Manager allows you to view all the software that is available in the enabled repositories, while the Ubuntu Software Center only shows an "Approved" list. Alternatively, you can easily install software from a terminal prompt.
Huge Software Repository - Since Ubuntu Linux is based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution, it has a huge library of available software for the system. It is also very nice that Ubuntu Linux provides the Multiverse and Restricted Debian Repositories by default, this makes it extremely easy to install the software most people use on their computers.
Large User Community - Ubuntu Linux is the most popular Linux Distribution today, and because of this you can easily find help or answers to FAQs from many places on the Internet (or simply open XChat).
Windows Installer - Ubuntu Linux now provides a Windows installer that gives you the option of installing Ubuntu without having to re-partition your Hard Drive like you have to with all other Linux Distributions. The next section covers this excellent feature.
