Tom's Blog

Ubuntu - Linux for human beings

My most important (and probably only) new year’s resolution back in 2008 was to finally start using Ubuntu as my primary operating system and not give up in the process. I had tried installing and using Ubuntu before, but always at some point, I screwed up and went back to good old Windows XP 64-bit. Yes, I had a great vision a couple of years earlier, to already use a 64-bit processor of AMD. So 2008 was absolutely to become Y-year for my linux experience. The reason why I wanted to switch, was simply because I didn’t fancy paying for Windows. I already had a copied version of XP, and I didn’t feel particularly bad about that (morally), but I was getting tired of it and wanted something new. Here goes my story.

Preparation

Long before it was time for the new year’s resolution, I knew I was going to make that resolution. That’s why I started preparing for it. During 2007, I started using Open Source alternatives for most of the applications I used. Firefox, Thunderbird, Filezilla, Pidgin, Gimp, VLC media player and Open Office are the most important ones to mention. I figured that if I could keep myself to using those tools, a switch to Ubuntu would only have a minor impact on my productivity. And this has proven to be a correct analysis. If you’re considering a switch, I would highly recommend you to start using Open Source alternatives for the tools you currently use. It will be a lot easier to move to any Linux distribution if you don’t have to worry about the programs you use for 90% of your day-to-day computering.

Another part of getting ready for the plunge, was to make sure that everything I cared about, was back-upped. It was important for me to be able to go back to windows, and have all the same data back. That included my mails, bookmarks, documents, photo’s, music, … Once this was taken care of, I was ready for Ubuntu.

Dual boot

To be on the safe side, I installed Ubuntu alongside Windows. The installation process worked like a charm, and I had no problems whatsoever. Once everything was installed, it was time to configure the OS to my likings. New theme, import data, install new programs. I configured the boot menu (GRUB) to automatically start Ubuntu after a couple of seconds. As a result, I spent most of my time in Ubuntu. As time passed by, I only found myself using Windows for downloading stuff from Usenet. It was a bit annoying, but only happened once or twice a week.

What went wrong?

A couple of months went by, and then it was time for an Ubuntu update. And there it went wrong. When a new version becomes available, Ubuntu notifies you, and then you can upgrade. I usually wait a couple of weeks and check the internet first. If someone has a problem, I would notice, and then I would still be safe. And indeed, some people reported a problem. But for some dodgy reason, my brain decided to ignore that.

After a week or 2 I decided it was time for the upgrade. Somewhere halfway the process, a couple of files could not be found, but the upgrading didn’t seem to stop. Finally after a reboot… it was dead. I was unable to boot into my Ubuntu. Drama (sort of)! I found myself unknowing and incapable to repair the system. The only option left was to just re-install the entire operating system.

Ditched Windows

Lessons learned. I immediately installed the newest version of Ubuntu. Used a bigger partition, kept the dual-boot, but didn’t install that many programs. I knew the 8.10 version was coming, and I didn’t feel like upgrading again. I just wanted to start off freshly with Intrepid Ibex. For a couple of months, I kept my system clean. Didn’t install that many programs so I wouldn’t have to re-install them when I screwed up again. But that didn’t really allow me to fully enjoy my computer.

Then version 8.10 was released. This was going to be it for me. Fresh new start. Then I decided to just get rid of the dual boot thing. I was tired of not being able to just power on my pc, and meanwhile take a leak. No more Windows for me. I forced myself to search an alternative for Newsleecher. I found that LottaNZB was perfectly capable of taking over that task. From that point on, I have fully embraced linux in general, and Ubuntu in specific. There was no way back to Windows, and I didn’t even want that option anymore.

Once you realise that you only have 1 system, and if you screw it up, there’s going to be a lot of work to fix it… Then you don’t screw around that much anymore. For a majority of my tasks, I still use those same programs I mentioned in my preparation. I expanded my toolbox with Netbeans for PHP development. Ow, and just one little vice: Photomatix on Wine. Qtpfsgui just didn’t give me the results I wanted. The only thing I’m still lacking, is support for my iPhone. For that, I still use my work laptop and iTunes.

Future

It has now been more than a year since I decided to make the switch, and 6 months that I’m exclusively on Ubuntu. I haven’t regretted it. Will I upgrade to Jaunty Jackalope? I don’t know. It has some nice new features, like Ext 4. Just because there is an upgrade available, doesn’t mean you have to upgrade. I am perfectly happy with how things currently work. For that reason, I am inclined to just skip the new release.

I’m also saving to buy a MacBook (Pro). That will again involve a switch to another operating system. So for the time being, I will probably just keep my current system.

Advice

If you are also thinking about switching to Ubuntu, or any other linux distribution, I strongly encourage you to do so. But do your homework, and be prepared. Like I was. It will be all that easier to get to know your new environment, if you don’t have to worry about what you’ll use for your daily browsing or creating spreadsheets. If you feel more secure with a dual-boot system, then use that. I can only say that I truely started to use Ubuntu, when I completely burned the bridges behind me and ditched Windows. No way back means you can put your whole weight into going forward. After all, that’s all you need: conviction.

Tom Ubuntu experience, linux, Ubuntu