What is exactly the benefit of migrating from Windows to Ubuntu?

[hurinth]

4 weeks now and I still don't feel comfortable saying that Linux is way better than MS windows. I have the hope though, that someday I will know linux enough to avoid building an unstable system.

MS windows is quite unstable, but right now, I can't say Ubuntu is better, it is even worse than MS W. I just recovered the "windows way" from a hung system I dunno why.... I was watching andy mckee on youtube and suddenly EVERYTHING Hung.... I had to hard reset my box...

So here are my questions: What are exactly the benefits of migrating to Ubuntu especially from MS W.?

And what are best practices to avoid an unstable machine?

[mips]

I was watching andy mckee on youtube and suddenly EVERYTHING Hung.... I had to hard reset my box...


Which tells me the problem was caused by Flash. Flash is a thorn in the side of many Linux users I would say. It is proprietry and does not work so well, the alternatives, Gnash&Swdec, are not quite up to speed yet.

You might want to try Swdec or Gnash and see how things go. Do you have any other issues besides when using Flash?

I do not use Ubuntu but would easily say it is more stable than windows from past experiences.

[hurinth]

Well some times I see FF graying out when watching embedded flash videos, but until today never the system hung so long.

Compiz just kicks a** but it is very unstable. I reinstalled gutsy 2 days ago and before updating compiz with latest patches it worked great in my big display. Frequently enough though, it will crash and default to "effects> none". Nothing that going to the compiz manager and switching it on couldn't fix, but still, it was pretty unstable. Then the updates came in, they installed themselves and after a reboot they screwed up the graphics driver...... had to reinstall them.

Now I dunno if desktop effects are as unstable than before, gotta try them a bit more.[confirmed: compiz didn't improve stable-wise after updates]

Back at work, my other Ubuntu machine also froze on me all of a sudden. This kind of stability issues are what stops me from continuing the anti-windows / pro-linux campaign I started 4 weeks ago with some hope. For example my brother is an architect, I think all the software he needs for his job is out there completely free or at much lower cost than windows software, but how can I offer him something thats gonna behave out of prediction??

There must be a way to have a linux based system way more stable than windows.... similar to Mac.

[cchester]

Looks like a Flash problem.

Don't shy away from a Ubuntu system just because Flash made you restart your computer because it crashed. Report the crash so maybe it will be fixed. Do try the other flash alternatives you might find they work better and don't crash.

As far as staying stable just don't install programs that are beta or haven't been approved by Ubuntu as ready for the masses anything that comes down from the update program should be fine and not make your system unstable. If you find something does uninstall it and report the issue just like you would in windows.

Just don't say Ubuntu isn't ready when it was another program that caused the issue. It is not Ubuntu's fault.

[hurinth]

Very well then... sounds reasonable enough. I'll wait and see what other benefits people can demonstrate about linux over windows, and wait for a mature version of other software.

[Tux Aubrey]

Sounds like you are having some peculiar problems with Flash. I've not experienced those myself, but some similar things (the graying out) did happen with an earlier version of Firefox (actually, Ubuntu Forums was really bad for that!). That particular problem was fixed, with an update, within a couple of days - as has every real bug I've personally ever encountered.

For me, that is probably the Number 1 reason I stick with Linux - and with Ubuntu in particular. It gets fixed quickly. I lived with several annoying windows bugs (inevitable crashes) for years between Service Packs. I know there have been studies of bug fixing (can't find the references now) and Linux beats every other OS - by years sometimes.

Unlike you, I have Ubuntu to be ultra stable. I would never have even thought to leave Windows running for days. I have no hesitation leaving Ubuntu on full time, if that's needed.

I don't run compiz-fusion with all the bells and whistles. After the initial gee-whiz factor, I found most of the effects annoying and it slowed the performance of the (one and only) 3D game I used to play.

The freedom of Linux is not just about money - although I have saved heaps (not least by keeping my five year old machine going for at least a year beyond its normal life). I have explored areas of home computing that I would have found prohibitively expensive with proprietary software. Graphics, animation, web design and web site building come to mind. All of the applications I use are free and I have found enough free documentation and tutorials online to fill a small library. I was able try many applications (Full Versions!) before I settled on the ones I liked. None of those I tried nagged me or left little calling cards in my registry that caused conflicts with other programs. I have also networked all my family computers to share our printer and internet connection.

My time is my own now too. I no longer spend hours researching virus software or cleaning the machine (or defragging my hard drive). I have no mallware at all.

Yes, I did spend a bit of time unlearning my Windows habits. I have a notebook beside me even now with scribbled notes and reminders. I now look on the periods of frustration I did experience as time well spent.

I haven't even mentioned the brilliant, and at at times instant, free online support you get in forums like these.

I'd also have to admit that I get a nice feeling inside knowing that I'm longer feeding the MS Monster. Even before I took the leap to Linux I was aware of the damage they are doing to an important enabling technology and the way they were milking the world and distorting the information economy to their corporate interest. I don't get all preachy about FOSS and I do believe that some people would be better off staying with Windows. Just not me.

I'm sure there are many more stories out their and, like you, I look forward to reading them.

[Kowalski_GT-R]

Hi Hurinth.

Been into Ubuntu for a year now, and, yes, info in my profile is correct, I run 7.04.
Had my woes with Ubuntu, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the system whenever things got wrong.
I think I haven't put my nose into configurations for months now. Once I reached stability I didn't have to worry about nothing: I say it again: nothing. It is my work platform now. Mission-critical. Never looked back into Microsoft proprietary s.w.

Mind you: gutsy was buggy when I tried it. I'm waiting for Hardy Heron, but will carry my tests on a spare Hard Disk.

Ubuntu is getting there. Meanwhile you (we all) wait, I suggest to hold on and resist onto having the latest and greatest of everything.
Ubuntu repositories + synaptic won't ever leave you rowing without a paddle.

Fix flash issues and enjoy your desktop environment: can you see I am enthusiastic?

ciao,


Andre

[digger95]

I tried Gutsy but found it to be buggy as heck. Went back to Feisty and it was a bit more stable but still not enough to my liking. Regarding Flash, yes the program itself has problems and Adobe has some work to do on the Linux version, but interestingly enough my Slackware box has no problems playing embedded flash video. Smooth playback, no crashes, same hardware.

[mips]

Compiz just kicks a** but it is very unstable. I reinstalled gutsy 2 days ago and before updating compiz with latest patches it worked great in my big display. Frequently enough though, it will crash and default to "effects> none". Nothing that going to the compiz manager and switching it on couldn't fix, but still, it was pretty unstable. Then the updates came in, they installed themselves and after a reboot they screwed up the graphics driver...... had to reinstall them.

Now I dunno if desktop effects are as unstable than before, gotta try them a bit more.[confirmed: compiz didn't improve stable-wise after updates]


Compiz-fusion is still beta software as far as I'm concerned and I don't run it.
If the kernel gets updated the gfx drivers need to be re-installed. They need to find a way around this imho.

[3rdalbum]

Your stability problems mystify me. I've run two systems with ATI and one with Nvidia, and they're never as unstable as you describe.

Flash does seem to cause a lot of my problems. Are you running the latest version from Adobe?

[mivo]

Very well then... sounds reasonable enough. I'll wait and see what other benefits people can demonstrate about linux over windows]

Actually, you should not make it dependent on what other people like or dislike. It's an individual decision. If you, personally, prefer Windows, there is no reason not to use it.

I use Linux exclusively, because it increases my productivity. There are better tools (or rather, tools that work better for me), the system is more stable, I get better performance from my hardware, Linux is transparent (Windows is a black box), security is higher and everything is accessible and controllable. Compiz Fusion is quite nifty (the desktop cube actually changed the way I work).

I also prefer the ideology of Linux. You are not a "guest" on your own computer, you run it, and are not run by it, the software is not merely "rented" for a price. Microsoft's visions of controlling what the user can and cannot do (DRM, Trusted Computing, etc.) on their own computer appalls me, and I won't be subject to it nor support it with my money.

Above all, though, Linux simply works better for me.

[notwen]

Until you(yourself) can see why the pros and cons of using each OS will you determine if there is a benefit for your specific situation. Don't swap OSes base don other's user's experiences and testimonies. Just d/l the LiveCD and use it as often as you can and determine for yourself whether there are any benefits for your individual needs. =]

[SarahKH]

Very well then... sounds reasonable enough. I'll wait and see what other benefits people can demonstrate about linux over windows, and wait for a mature version of other software.

Also, try it without Compiz running; yeah, I love the eye candy as much as anyone but it can freak out Flash.

As to advantages and benefits allow me to tell you a story. Of a Deskjet 1220C printer, Hewlett-Packard Driver and Windows XP Pro - SP2.

Windows: Ohh, here, loverly updates yum!
Printer: *whirr grind, print print, whirr*
Word 2003: Mien Liben!
*Word has died*
Word 2003: Mien Liben! Mien Liben! Mien Liben! Mien Liben! Mien Liben!
*Word refuses to start again*
Windows: I know nothing, see my logs are clean. Ok, you delete the printer.
Word 2003: Yay! Hello!
*Word has resurrected*
Windows: Use my inbuilt driver, there's loverly.
Printer: "whirr, grind....* "A3? No comprendo"
*A3 paper sizes no longer appear*
Windows: ROFLCOPTER! This printer can't do A3!

Curiously, every single Linux computer and the Mac were happily printing whilst this happened. And now a tale of Windows printing and print servers.

Deskjet *whir... grind... print print print*
Linux laptops: "Yay! Your print job is in the queue!"
Mac OS: "Yay! Your print job is in the queue!"
Windows: "COMMING THROUGH!"
Deskjet: *grind grind... whirrr.... print print print*
Linux laptops: "Yay! The print queue has vanished. Mien Liben!"
*printer controls die*
Mac OS: "Yay! The print queue is empty! Mien Liben!"
*printer controls die*
Windows "Your mother wears army boots in hell!"

Pulling someone elses print jobs out of your manuscript never gets old.

Windows doesn't play well with others. I could tell you the tale of Windows and the packet spam, Windows... QoS of DOOM or indeed Forgetful Windows and the SMB share password. Of course in the horror section we have: Zombie Domain Controller replicated my brain.

[cchester]

Or how about this, because of the autorun capability of Windows now there is a way for someone to put code into that file on a usb stick and have it execute when you plug in your stick and now you have malicious code running on your windows system isn't that great. Linux you have no need to worry about it.

[cardinals_fan]

I would stop using Compiz. The eye candy's nice at first, but a speedy Openbox system with no crashes is much nicer...

[hurinth]

Off course, encouraging words I am hearing from all of you guys... 3rdbalma is right about a thing, one shouldn´t base it´s decisions on somebody else´s reasons.... but there are things that are objective for all who want to migrate:

if a small company can run its network with Open Source software rather than with propietary expensive sw (or cracking it and run it in the shadows)

if the system is indeed more stable

if the system is more secure and free of malicious stuff

if the software is supported by a community like this, nd many others reasons....

I will try to run compiz at lowest since the tabbing feature is a real functional one for me, e.g.

And from there, I try to find all the tools I had in windows. Right now Im missing my asus probe(see this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=757566)) and my pdf editing capabilities in Acrobat pro. Not to mention the robust software from Adobe...

Keep the stories about Ubuntu coming for us

[cchester]

I will try to run compiz at lowest since the tabbing feature is a real functional one for me, e.g.

And from there, I try to find all the tools I had in windows. Right now Im missing my asus probe(see this thread (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=757566)) and my pdf editing capabilities in Acrobat pro. Not to mention the robust software from Adobe...

Keep the stories about Ubuntu coming for us

You can turn off features in compiz that you don't need such as if you find one feature is messing with your system just turn it off and see if your system is more stable.

Also as far as PDF did you install any of the PDF tools that are available and see if they would work. You can also see if those will run in wine for you if not see if they can with Codeweavers Crossover I know it is not free but if it will do the job and the open source ones wont then you could go that route.

Hope this helps.

[dca]

MS = closed/proprietary/licenses (you don't own the OS)
GNU/Linux = open-source/free (in most cases)

You're looking at benefits transparently. Kind of like your Windows XP/Vista came w/ the machine you purchased, which is fine. For instance, I built multiple PC(s) out of spare parts for all members of my family for chatting, internet, et al... These five workstations would've cost me a mint in buying XP licenses (you only borrow the OS) for them. Ubuntu was free and didn't even need add'l driver installation (a 'la Windows) for the older generic components.

[smartboyathome]

Try PDFEdit for editing PDFs. It isn't the best, but it works ok most of the time. It is available in the repositories.

[darksong]

the problem is that the free versions of flash have not been up to scratch for over 6 months, could be another 6 months until they make it stable and work properly.