Ubuntu- Yea or Nay?

[kenbobo]

I was wondering if I should install Ubuntu because I need a fast OS that is light in size and has little to no console knowledge required...

Does ubuntu require console knowledge? If so, I'm probably not gonna use it.

Thanks!

Ken

[Superfluous J]

Any Linux distribution is going to require - at some point or another - some under-the-hood tweaking. Generally that will be at the console though I've found that at least most of the problems you'll encounter in Ubuntu will have some sort of gui fix.

Ideally, you should install it on a computer you don't need. Then play around with it and experience the joys - and the problems - in a safer environment than "OMG I can't do my homework now."

[kenbobo]

Thanks! I'm booting to it now, will report my liking&findings

[kenbobo]

So as I am in Ubuntu right now it seems quite smooth and fluid... and I'm honestly considering installing it now...

Eh. Why not. Will install and report back

[Deutherius]

I would argue that (almost) every system will seem smooth and fluid right after installing. Give it a few days, a few dozen applications you need/want and let it show you its good and bad side.

[LordFerret]

Linux Mint Xfce - lightweight and simple and uses Ubuntu as its package base. I just finished putting it on an old Dell Inspiron 1420 for someone, and it runs great. I personally prefer Debian, but the Mint LMDE are nice too.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

[Nibb31]

I've never found a Linux that didn't require going into the console from time to time. You'll find that when you look for instructions in the internet, you'll typically get line commands that will fix your problem with a copy paste, which ends up actually being more helpful than the instructions you get on Windows help forums.

The reason I haven't switched to linux is that most of my software doesn't run on it. If I have to run everything in Wine or a VM, it kinda misses the point.

[BinaryBad]

I dual boot into Linux on my Mac, just to play KSP. It's been totally worth it, because it's the only stable 64 bit version you can run now, but it's heaven for mod fans. Can run stupid amounts of mods. There has been the odd foray into the terminal, but I just copy and paste all the time so it's been fine. Hope it works out ok. Happy to help if needed.

[Albert VDS]

Ubuntu has a whole different GUI than a typical Windows user is used to. I would suggest Xubuntu, which has a similar GUI as windows and it has a smaller footprint.

Linux Mint Xfce - lightweight and simple and uses Ubuntu as its package base. I just finished putting it on an old Dell Inspiron 1420 for someone, and it runs great. I personally prefer Debian, but the Mint LMDE are nice too.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

Actually Mint was based of Ubuntu and is based directly of Debian now.

[Pixel of Life]

Ubuntu has a whole different GUI than a typical Windows user is used to. I would suggest Xubuntu, which has a similar GUI as windows and it has a smaller footprint.

I've never used Xubuntu, but looking at screenshots, it really doesn't look that Windows-y to me. If OP is looking for a Windows-like GUI on Ubuntu, I'd recommend installing the KDE Plasma desktop environment on top of Unity (These can be switched at any time by using a menu in the login screen). There are two main packages for KDE Plasma:

kde-plasma-desktop - This only includes the KDE Plasma desktop environment and whatever libraries it absolutely needs in order to work. Pick this if you just want to have a look at the desktop and the menus.

kde-full - The full KDE package. Includes the KDE Plasma desktop and all KDE default programs and features. Pick this if you want to try all the things KDE has to offer.

If you decide KDE is the right desktop environment for you and you don't need Unity anymore, you might want to wipe your disk and install Kubuntu instead. Kubuntu is basically the exact same thing as Ubuntu, but it uses KDE instead of Unity, and has a different set of default applications. The full Kubuntu installation also has some extra programs and other stuff that isn't included in the kde-full package.

[H2O.]

I'm a huge fan of Xubuntu (it is what I use on my personnal computer and in my office) myself and yes, the whole desktop is quite similar to Windows.

Just to react on the whole "I don't want to use the command line" from the OP. You probably won't have to if you stick with default options. But it is really not difficult at all: it is just a different mindset, there are tons of tutorial on youtube that would help you a lot. I learn that way and with a bit of forum research, you will fill the gaps easily.

[DaMichel]

In addition to what the other people said, i suggest to try Ubuntu or any other Linux in a virtual machine. Of course only if you still want to use Windows. I use VMWare player. It is free but the download link is a bit hard to find

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/7_0

Virtual Box is also quite nice

https://www.virtualbox.org/

This way you can quickly try out different OS's and it is no big deal if you mess it up.

You might want to watch out for "Zeitgeist" which is a background service that collects usage data. It is installed by default with Unity or GNOME. Not everybody likes this sort of thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist_%28framework%29

[Deutherius]

In addition to what the other people said, i suggest to try Ubuntu or any other Linux in a virtual machine. Of course only if you still want to use Windows. I use VMWare player. It is free but the download link is a bit hard to find

https://my.vmware.com/web/vmware/free#desktop_end_user_computing/vmware_player/7_0

Virtual Box is also quite nice

https://www.virtualbox.org/

This way you can quickly try out different OS's and it is no big deal if you mess it up.

It might be just a personal experience, but I have a version of CentOS 6.4 set up in Oracle VM VirtualBox (for some necessary schoolwork and testing) and BOY was that thing a ***** to actually get working properly. Good practice, sure, but sometimes really nervewrecking (especially when VirtualBox updated midway through, breaking nearly everything I had already set up).

If I had a spare PC lying around that I could mess with, I'd take the PC over VM any day.

(I have never used VMWare Player though, so it could very well be that it just takes two clicks in there and you're done - VirtualBox wasn't that friendly)

[T-Bouw]

I suggest trying a live-CD-version of a distribution (Linux flavour) you have an eye on.

Burn it on a CD/DVD-R(W).

Boot from the CD, choose LIVE menu-option or something along those lines, wait for a while (longer than an installed OS) and try it out without installing anything.

If you like it, you can install the OS with the same disk.

Ubuntu, like you said, is not a bad choice. It's easy to use on the surface, under the surface not so much though, it has a big database of programs to install, but it's not the fastest running Linux.

Linux Mint is my personal recommendation. Same database as Ubuntu, faster running, slightly less pretty.

[DaMichel]

*snip*

(I have never used VMWare Player though, so it could very well be that it just takes two clicks in there and you're done - VirtualBox wasn't that friendly)

I was more fortunate. I use VirtualBox at work and VMWare Player at home. Both worked out of the box mostly. There is not much to say. I think the installation of the guest tools is only possible from the command line, but i'm not sure. So sorry at the OP because i forgot about that.

Still it was straight forward. I didn't have to configure display modes or anything either. KDE Desktop figured fullscreen mode out automagically And so does i3 which i use now. Note, that i disabled "advanced features" such as drag and drop between host and guest. Or shared folders. Admittedly, they didn't work but i would not expect them to, nor do i need them

I think Kubuntu is a good start. For more advanced needs it is possible to basically throw everything out and install only the desktop comonents that you like. I for example use the i3 window manager with the basic KDE apps (file manager, terminal, text editor). And i have uninstalled all the fancy services that i don't need.

Edited April 12, 2015 by DaMichel

[Deutherius]

Note, that i disabled "advanced features" such as drag and drop between host and guest. Or shared folders. Admittedly, they didn't work but i would not expect them to, nor do i need them

Ah, yes, I recall having the most trouble with display modes and the virtual network adapters. Display modes are extra, but having access to the internet from within the VM is kinda necessary if you want to try everything out and fiddle with every component

I don't recall what it was caused by, though, so it is entirely possible that the OP would not have any problems like that (because lets face it, it was most likely something stupid that I did )

[Nuke]

go with mint instead. ubuntu has been bleeding market share to mint for awhile now.

[kenbobo]

Well I actually own several Windows 7 licenses so I plan on actually triple booting Win 8, Win 7, and Ubuntu. Sadly I don't own any OSX licenses otherwise I would boot Win 7, Ubuntu, and OSX.

:|

[H2O.]

The vanilla Ubuntu is a very good Linux distribution, but the Unity desktop is controversial. I personally think that it is OK, but not as productive as a "classical" desktop. But that's why Linux is so great, there are so many choices, you can change your mind until you find what you really like.

I will advise you to try several distributions, it is fun and rewarding!

Edited April 13, 2015 by H2O.

[Debra]

A big YAY for Ubuntu. It is not at all Windows-y and does need some getting used to if you haven't used it before (took me a week to find my way around), but now I swear by it and refuse to work on anything else.