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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:23 am 
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Joined: 28 May 2006
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I'm thinking about taking the plunge on an Ubuntu Linux notebook. Now is a good time because of the uncertainty surrounding Vista, and I may get a desktop soon as well -- I could wait until a yes/no decision is easier with Microsoft.

I'm uncomfortable switching over my current laptop, because it's the only computer I have. I don't want to throw the household into headache. I know there's a bootable CD, but I want to try it whole hog.

Do you think these Dell laptops are a good way to go? I like the idea of having a big company like Dell standing buy for any rough spots. Are these relatively new, or is this an old program that is not going well for Dell?

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segt ... l=en&s=dhs

In case anybody needs to know more about my usage to comment:

1. Don't care about games. I use consoles for that.
2. I rarely use any special software -- it's internet applications for me (Firefox, Gmail, Google Docs).
3. Like most people, family pictures are a big thing. I need to be able to read and organize all my pictures, which I have moved to a USB Passport harddrive (does Linux "talk" to assets like this?)
4. Music and podcasts -- I currently use iTunes for podcast, but I have a backlog of mixed format music (including many "Plays for sure" DRM, those are probably lost without conversion)


What say you?

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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:57 am 
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Mr. IMWANKO

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Jeff said he was big on the version of Ubuntu called Kubuntu.
It definitely helps to be a little geeky if you want to use Linux as your everyday machine.
But I think that's what impressed Jeff mostly about Kubuntu, is that it didn't require this normal
level of Linux geekiness. I have some students who love Ubuntu.

The nice thing is that if it doesn't work out for you, it's not like you really paid for it. You bought
a PC from Dell, and paid almost nothing for the O.S. Put Windows on it later. I suspect 1 GB
of RAM on those cheaper laptops would be underwhelming for Vista, though.

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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:04 pm 
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Mr. IMWANKO

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If you were a college student, I would direct you instead to a $999 MacBook, with a rebate offer
to get a free $299 iPod Touch. You taking any classes?

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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:05 pm 
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And, again, if you didn't like the Mac OS X, you could put Kubuntu or Vista on it,
or all three at the same time.

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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:13 pm 
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Since they're selling it with Ubuntu preinstalled, that means all the hardware is supported, so sure, that's the way to go. I would immediately blow away their install and install the latest (Hardy Heron) release of Ubuntu myself though, to get everything set just the way I like it. I run Kubuntu, which is Ubuntu with a different user interface (KDE vs. Gnome), because I strongly prefer that interface. It's probably more "Windows like" and easier for you to adapt to as well, so consider that option. It's all just a free download and DVD burn away, after all. That's part of the beauty of Linux.

And of course, if you have any questions with the quirks of Linux, I'll be glad to help you out. To answer your specific questions:

1. OK
2. You're all set, and there are open source alternatives for most apps anyway.
3. Yes it does, generally. I've hooked up USB thumb drives, external hard drives, etc without a hitch.
4. I play music using Amarok and don't listen to podcasts, but they would play just fine on any number of media players. The DRM stuff will be a problem without stripping the copy protection, yes.


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 Post subject: Calling Linux Fans (Jeff!) -- what do you think?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:53 pm 
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Is it Friday yet?

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My head hurts just reading this.


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