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I decided to post a little introduction to myself here: Ask me who I was last March, and I would have had WinBloze 7 Beta on my main computer and would have been part of Micro$uck's test project for WinBloze 7 and would have been excited about it. However, that changed as soon as my network adapter changed and the new one worked with Linux. As soon as I tested the new adapter with Mint (I'd say about a year ago, in July 2009) I began to really value Linux for what it is.

However, I knew about Linux long before that. I started with gOS 2, which was my first distro. I had tried it back in about February 2008. I first learned about Linux back in mid-2007, from an article in PCMag that spanned several pages. I had quite a hard time back then, and Ubuntu Hardy was no different than gOS.

So then what took me so long from knowing about Linux to finally becoming an active user? My house was nothing but Wi-Fi. My mother set a secure wireless network up back then, and I couldn't connect to it because my adapter (Linksys WUSB54GSC) wasn't recognized by Linux. I had the patience to continue.

Then, in June 2008, my family got hit by the economic collapse here in the USA: The mortgage on my old house doubled and my family had to leave because of the rate increase. So, we were stuck in a hotel room until my family and I could end up in a new house. That Christmas, I wanted a netbook, and got my wish (the one I'm typing on, an Acer Aspire One AOA110-1545). It came with Linux preinstalled, and I liked it all around.

From then to June 2009, I still had WinBloze on my desktop, as Linux still didn't work with my wireless network adapter. Then, in June 2009 as I said, I got a new wireless network adapter, and in July decided to test it with Linux Mint 7. It worked, even from the Live CD! Now,

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Ubuntu 11.04: The OS to beat

Posted 01-08-2011 at 03:50 PM by Kenny_Strawn

So far, what I've heard about Ubuntu 11.04 is absolutely *incredible* and will probably make proprietary software bite the dust. How? Let me explain:

First of all, we come to Unity, the desktop environment that is *extremely* simple to use and therefore will attract more users. In particular, having a UI that's n00b-proof is *really* incredible. Its Launcher, Dash, Panel, indicator-appmenu, and appindicator are all incredibly easy to use and navigate. However, Unity 3 still needs work done on it.

Secondly, the Software Center. It is the most *innovative* piece of software that ever came into any Linux distro. How? Because it literally is a program to install programs — the same thing the Android Market and iPhone App Store are on mobile devices. This means that installing software in Ubuntu is as easy as installing software in iOS or Android.

Thirdly, installation is easier than ever. Why? Because the installer is so easy to use! The partitioning step is by far the most simple part of it. You literally move a spacer widget back and forth to change partition sizes. That's it! See how easy that was? I'm sure the Natty Narwhal will be even easier to install.

Put all this together and it's a recipe for success. We just need the propaganda to go with it. Without propaganda, Linux will stay small in market share and not grow any. However, that shouldn't be all that hard. So keep posting those videos on YouTube, guys. It really will mean the world to Linux to see it gain market share like Firefox has.
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Comments

  1. Old Comment
    I take it the Software Center takes package management one step further by adding a fancy gui with extra pictures and better descriptions?

    Honestly, the general RPM and other distro package management tools are already software to install software. Keep in mind that somebody still has to package it all up Personally, it would be more interesting to me if more programs with obscure dependencies were statically linked. Not only would this increase speed, but it would also make programs more portable. On top of this, you could package them under /opt and people would have a directory listing similar to C:/Program Files/. I think it would make it a bit more understandable to users.

    As for 'Unity' it's a give or take. Icon based application launchers are nothing new. If 'Unity' interests you, take a look at KDE Plasma. Other than the widgets page, I found it intuitive enough.

    As for installation, I've never though this step was hard. What's needed is a good default partition scheme when some notes as to why it's done that way. Then some notes on why you might want to change it. For something you only do once, it hardly makes it worth it to try to 'enhance' the interface. However, I'm sure you are right in saying it makes it easier.

    I think linux needs to be just big enough in the right area so that the right companies will make software for it. I don't think I would want to see mass release spyware/malware being distributed on linux.
    Posted 01-09-2011 at 07:59 PM by lumak lumak is offline
  2. Old Comment
    Well unlike those other package managers, the Software Center has (1) app reviews, (2) support for commercial software, and (3) a convenient and simple GUI, three things other 'package managers' can't boast about.

    And sure KDE is also pretty easy to use, but in my opinion it goes *way* over the top with eye candy. Unity instead uses an interface that goes along with the goal of Ubuntu becoming easier to use than Mac OS X, and in my opinion it's Unity that can really make Ubuntu live up to that goal. However, the version in 11.04 is kind of half-baked: Instead of popping up a Dash, it pops up Nautilus in /usr/share/applications. This shows that it's still an unfinished work and needs improvement (at least in 11.04).

    What's cool about the installer is that it too has a *really* simple-to-use interface. Unlike most other distro installers, it is designed with n00b-proofing in mind, and it sure does deliver with its partitioner that is perhaps even easier to use than Mac OS X's Boot Camp Assistant.
    Posted 01-10-2011 at 07:36 PM by Kenny_Strawn Kenny_Strawn is offline
  3. Old Comment
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kenny_Strawn View Comment
    Well unlike those other package managers, the Software Center has (1) app reviews, (2) support for commercial software, and (3) a convenient and simple GUI, three things other 'package managers' can't boast about.
    So pacman, for example, is a "package manager", not a package manager?
    Posted 01-16-2011 at 03:47 PM by MTK358 MTK358 is offline
  4. Old Comment
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kenny_Strawn View Comment
    (2) support for commercial software
    I thought you disapproved of, even hated, commercial software?
    Posted 01-16-2011 at 04:13 PM by brianL brianL is offline
  5. Old Comment
    I don't hate proprietary software entirely. Only proprietary operating systems. Any user level software (that is, that runs in the GUI) *can* be proprietary. It's when the OS is proprietary that I hate it.
    Posted 01-21-2011 at 01:24 AM by Kenny_Strawn Kenny_Strawn is offline
  6. Old Comment
    Ahhh yes, if only those proprietary software manufactures loved to make software for non-proprietary OSes. Because, as we all know, Linux users expect everything to be free and won't pay for anything. And if they do come by your software its either reverse engineered, pirated, or used in a way not intended by the manufacture. Because all Linux users are experts on the matter ;P
    Posted 01-21-2011 at 03:25 PM by lumak lumak is offline
 

  



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