ubuntu - free windows pc like os

OG1 · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1193

Ubuntu - FREE Windows PC like OS

I just installed Ubuntu on an old PC (Pentium 4) with 512mb RAM which ran XP. Runs faster than a Vista PC with 3gb RAM with faster processor.

Ubuntu is easier to use than MS Windows - (XP, Vista or 7)

Ubuntu is FREE and comes with OpenOffice (MS Office clone) and Firefox Internet browser as well as over 50 FREE software titles with the option to add more FREE software from their library.

Easy to install (one step) and uninstall software from their software library which is very extensive. However, you are limited to software in their software library.

FREE CD mailed to you.

Easy install.

Fast boot

NO antivirus software (Linux) to slow down your PC.

Major Update every six months!!

My second PC is NOW an Ubuntu Linux PC!!!

plodr · Administrator Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 7411

For those that do not want install a new version every 6 months, look for a Long Term Support version, LTS.
A new LTS version is usually released every 2 years. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get 3 years support on Ubuntu Desktop...
The next LTS release will be LucidLynx, released in April 2010.

nitehawk · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 14:48 pm Post subject:

@OG1...
Glad you found linux....it's nice, isn't it? Ubuntu also has a very helpful forum if you run into any problems and need help. A terrific linux that is based on Ubuntu (but comes "ready-made" with all the multimedia stuff) is "Linux Mint". They don't ship a CD free like Ubuntu does, though. You can use the Google search engine to find Linux CD Online Stores (there are a few very reputable ones that I use). Have a lot of fun with linux and Ubuntu!

OG1 · Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1193

Thanks. One issue I have run across is Ubuntu 9.10 does NOT consistently boot up. It goes to blank screen one out of four times when I try to boot up. I read that this is a common problem with the Ubuntu bootloader. Any EASY solutions to this bug /issue??

Otherwise, once booted up, Ubuntu makes an old PC with little RAM (less than 512mb when shared with video driver) act like a new PC with 3gb or more RAM.

Anyway, any ideas on the start-up issue??

Temmu · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 16:32 pm Post subject:

as nitehawk says, try linux mint.
i have it on several friend's machines, and one of mine.

linux mint is billed as a "just works" install, small, and good for new users too!

if you wish to stay w/ubuntu, then as plodr says, indeed go lts.
i have v8 which is lts, v9 is out now, and v10 lts out soon.

guest8z8 · Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 152

For comparison testing I installed Ubuntu 12.1 on a spare hard drive partition using a dual core Pentium system with 4 GB ram.

Was pleasantly surprised how relatively easy it was to set up, update and use.

My attempt to install from a dvd did fail, but things went well once I decided to use Ubuntu's windows installer.
I partitioned my drive using Windows 8 preview version. Then I deployed the installer which let me select the correct partition, as it downloaded the full OS. Result: Win 8/ Ubuntu dual boot achieved.

Conclusion: Ubuntu has a Mac like feel and smoothness that is a welcome alternative to the current kluge-ware from Redmond. I will play with it some more, but will stick with Windows 7 for some time to come.

EasyE · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 298

Anybody can install a free alternative Start Menu to Windows 8 and have a zero learning curve. With anything Linux you not only have to unlearn everything you know, you cannot even understand the manual. Plus if you dare ask any questions, the typical Linux nerd will insult your intelligence. Let's face it. The Linux community was built not because the the OS is that great. It is more of a mutual hatred toward Microsoft.

techie · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 14:20 pm Post subject:

Linux is more for people that wanted something different, didn't want or have the money to buy a new OS every other year or so. Even Microsoft uses Unix servers, instead of it's own software.

One of the biggest things is so many distro versions. Ubuntu has been a steady development, in progress and gained momentum.

Many businesses and governments are moving to Linux, because it free up resources of funds, for other developments.

Until Dos was released, software was open source. MS was the first to charge for a OS.

This really has nothing to do with MS releases, just what is available.

http://www.reallylinux.com/docs/msdownfall.shtml

EasyE · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 298

I have no idea how an editorial on a Linux site is worth anything other than a biased opinion.

Microsoft started selling DOS for IBM Personal Computers. Before the PC was released, there were other all sorts of mainframe, mini, and even personal computers. They were all closed systems. You absolutely had to pay for every piece of software and nothing was open source. In fact, copy-protection was fairly standard. Only after DOS was released did a few small authors began the concept of freeware (with no cost) and shareware (meaning you could share it since it came without copy-protection though the cost was not free).

Microsoft just was the first one that standardized an OS so that it could be used on off-the-shelf hardware. Linux can't even do that today as it can be and adventure to see if something common can be run on that system.

techie · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 21:14 pm Post subject:

OK, I stand corrected, need to know your history, software was developed. software was sold, but:

It was not until after 1981 that software programs were made eligible for patents by the Supreme Court.

If the software was not eligible, for patient, then it was not protected, by law. Yes, software was written and sold. Copy-write infringement came even later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_patent