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My New Favorite Thing: Ubuntu Linux

If you know what linux is, you also probably know a super geek who can't help but extol how much better it is than Mac OS X and Windows.  And you probably can't remember what else they said because you stopped listening.  At the risk of becoming one of those super geeks, just hear me out.

Linux has been around since the early '90s and is the most prominent example of free software and open source development, just above OpenOffice.  While OpenOffice functions as a free alternative to purchasing popular and expensive licensed software like Microsoft's Office Suite ($150 for students, to $650 for a "full version"), Linux is more than a computer program, it's the operating system.  Windows and OS X are operating systems.

While operating systems are usually hidden in the cost of a computer, your OS actually costs money when you need an upgrade.  The recent Windows Vista upgrade could cost $100-$250.  An OS X Tiger upgrade is $129. These are recurring costs that can come up every few years. Linux, however, is free. And all the other programs for linux that you may want are also free. 

But there are plenty of reasons to consider open-source software beyond cost. Many people see more stability, security, faster start up times, less need to restart, less maintenance and other performance benefits. And, there's the other kind of free - like freedom from using proprietary software from the company owned by the richest person on the planet.

I must admit, I had no inclination to use Linux until a few weeks ago when I discovered Unbuntu Linux. A mail program, web browser, and office software are included. The "exposé" tricks I've become dependent on in OS X are available (and more). It will work with an iPod. The installation is simple, and the interface looks clean and polished.  The OS can be run from a CD if you want to try it out.  You can dual-boot and switch back and forth from one OS to another (on intel macs too) so you don't have to commit completely.

One of the best features is the "Synaptic Package Manager."  Say you want to install VLC, a video player that seems to be able to handle any file one can throw at it.  Open the Synaptic Package Manager and search for VLC.  It finds the files, downloads them for you, installs the program, and tells you when it's done. No searching the web for the right version.  Looking for something like Illustrator or Dreamweaver, but don't know the Linux version? Go to osalt.com and find open source versions. Search for it in Synaptic Package Manager, and it will install it for you.  Say you don't want to install Ubuntu?  Dell has begun shipping new computers with Ubuntu pre-installed.

For people who use their computer for email, the web, instant messaging, word processing or spreadsheets, and to manage their music and digital photos, Unbuntu is a perfectly viable option. Of course, Linux is not without a learning curve, but every OS has a learning curve. So why not go with the free one?