Why are you using Ubuntu and what for?

[Chethan S]

I firmly believe if there is a growth in Linux User Community a large share of them have come from Ubuntu. So I am interested to know how Ubuntu is put to use by users of Ubuntu Forums. For example a discussion, How many of you have completely switched to Linux ??? and why ? is up and running for over 6 months in LinkedIn's Ubuntu Users ( 10.000+ members ) Official Group with over 400 comments with user's giving varying reasons like revive old hardware, security, reliability, save licensing fee etc.

Let me start with my case first: I use Ubuntu because I like 'Ubuntu Philosophy (http://www.ubuntu.com/project/about-ubuntu/our-philosophy)' first. I experience a sense of pride and freedom when I use free software. Ubuntu has given me stability, reliability, security and speed. Then for what I use Ubuntu: I use Ubuntu for all my work. I am a geomatics student, so I use it to run FOSS GIS packages - GRASS GIS, Quantum GIS; browse the web; read/prepare documents, watch videos and a lot more.

Therefore, I request user's to speak out and I feel this discussion can eventually find a place in Ubuntu website to showcase the diversity of Ubuntu users.

[aarceng]

I use Ubuntu as my main system but for some programs I have to use wine or Win4Lin because there aren't linux versions available. My work is fully windows so I have to remain compatible.

[mr.farenheit]

i've had less problems with writing code for projects in linux than windows. i first started with redhat and eventually ubuntu came along making setting up a system much easier.

[mikeb380]

I'm using Ubuntu for several reasons.

1. I've been using ******* for quite a few years and am dissatisfied with it for quite a few reasons. I think the price for it is a rip off & to boot every time they "upgrade" the OS, I have to acquire new software as it becomes unusable with the new system. Since I am retired, I am doing this for my own enjoyment, including the photography I do. I now have over 75 gig of photos which I've shot. More enjoyment.

2. I used XENIX/UNIX back in the early to late 80s for my business, an advertising agency. We used Xenix to run a 16 user system for doing telemarketing, mail list maintenance for our clients, one a bank with a list of 45,00 names to do mailings, price estimating, and accounting, as well as word processing. I did most of the programming using Foxbase, a dBase clone, but better. We used this system for 10 years using 286, 386, & eventually 486 processors. At that time we didn't have a GUI, just command line & it was powerful. Once I get things under control I plan on relearning CL stuff. In 1993 I switched to Windows as I needed to use it for going to school and tutoring students on win programs such as dBase, Word Perfect, Lotus, etc.

In the interim I have maintained an interest in Linux and after investigating various flavors I chose Ubuntu and intalled in Dec, 2010. Since then it has been quite an experience due to old HDs, I think. I have been reinstalling with the help of The Hedgehog & am still having problems so I am upgrading to two 500 gig drives, one for Win & the other for Ubuntu. Thus another experience, trying to transfer all my win stuff over to another drive. I have Clonezilla which I am reading up on. Not sure I understand it yet. :P

As you may have guessed I'm running a dual boot system using Win XP Pro & Ububtu 10.10. I am a photographer and am using Photoshop under win and am trying to find a replacement in Ubuntu. I'm hopeful that The GIMP will do it. I've also found many other photo/graphics programs & the price of all these programs is unbelievable! ALL FREE!! Let M$, Adobe, et al beat that! Of course I use FireFox, Thunderbird, OO.o & Libreoffice, plus a great many other packages. I need a 500 gig drive just to contain all the software :(

I could continue in this vein for quite a while, but I don't want to write a book. Needless to say even with the problems I've been having, I consider this a learning experience & no other OS will allow me to do that at the prices of Linux & accompanying SW. Once I've beat the learning curve and learned what packages can replace those I use under win, I will do away with Win on my machine. Then I'll have1 terabyte just for Ubuntu. Of course much of that will be taken by my photos. Looking forward to that day of liberation!!:guitar: I hope all of you enjoy the experience as much as I am.

I hope I've not been too wordy, but I think I'm a frustrated writer. :lolflag:

Michael :-)

[ankspo71]

Hi,
I am completely switched over to Linux, but there is still a Windows computer here for my wife to use.

The reason why I 'completely' switched over to Linux is because of being let down by a retail OS company... they would not let me reactivate my recently purchased OS after I upgraded my hardware. I do like the philosophies behind opensource, Linux, and Ubuntu etc, but that isn't what brought me here... although it could have.

I really like compiling software from source code in Linux, and I like the idea behind package managers, and I appreciate not having to worry about viruses, unstealthy firewalls, fragmentation, etc. I like using Ubuntu because of the community, plenty of documentation on the web, and the large software selection.

[iulian.baciu]

I'm completely switched to linux, and I've done that because my system is not so powerful, and I was tired of being a slave of an OS that ran so slow, asking for license keys, money, and other things (you know which one).
Now I am happy with an OS that is simple, fast, obedient, easy to use, easy to configure, very pleasant interface, and gives me freedom. And, beyond all of this there is the Ubuntu Community, where I am pleased to find help, and the Ubuntu Philosophy, that cheers me up, it is more than a business. :)
Why you would be imprisoned, when you could be free? :)

[novito]

Hello,

I use Ubuntu because I am a LAMP developer, and I have had nightmares developing under Windows.
I installed Ubuntu to my parents and friends because they keep saying to me "This PC is so slow, and sometimes it crashes, and this, and that...". They are starting to play with the Terminal, and that's pretty cool :).

See u!

[Elfy]

moved to cafe

[Sean Moran]

Ubuntu recognises my Compaq CQ60's Atheros wifi card. That's why.
I keep moving around from hotel to hotel and never find a place to stay, so many things get started, but nothing gets completed. That's what.

[galacticaboy]

I am using Ubuntu (Elementary OS Jupiter, same thing) because:
1. It is completely free!
2. I am putting new life into this oldie of mine. She could not handle Windows XP, and with the life of Windows XP almost up, and my computer not being able to run Vista (God forbid), or Windows 7, I was freaking out. Then I remembered Linux. So I found Ubuntu, downloaded it, and I have not looked back since.
3. Lastly, free software and a good community. I can get free Office software and not pay an Arm, Leg, and Nut for it. It is nice to have what I want, when I want, and how I want. That is how Linux rolls!

[el_koraco]

i'm using ubuntu because it's faster at downloading porn

[Sean Moran]

i'm using ubuntu because it's faster at downloading porn
Keep youir 'educational material' encrypted on a flash drive. Keep that flash drive in your pocket.
It will do you good in the future.

[el_koraco]

they'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands

[Sean Moran]

they'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands
There are many things I would like on my epitaph, and one thing I hope they remember is that I was a man who loved women, but not children. I will always be proud to have loved women, but this is verging off-topic.

[steveneddy]

Because

and

I was having a few issues with virus' and Windows. Once I became frustrated with Windows I honestly believe that Linux found ME.

I use Ubuntu daily for work and personally for entertainment and communication.

[Darth Penguin]

As a dual boot OS with Windows. Immunity to Windows viruses and malware while I'm doing everyday tasks like browsing the Internet is a big plus, limiting the exposure of Windows to threats that can affect it keeps it virus free. I also use Linux for emulation and do most of my retro gaming on it. I can run virtual machines if I want to use Windows and Wine is coming along excellently. Aside from that I use Windows rarely and mostly to play PC games for Windows because I can do just about anything I can do on Windows with Ubuntu. Why Ubuntu is my favorite Linux distro is simple, it beats Mac any day in my opinion and it's supported by very skilled and professional people. The Ubuntu forums are a bonus, it's a very friendly and helpful community.

[youbuntu]

Computing, oddly enough :P

[wolfen69]

I use it because it does everything I need, without the hassles of anti-virus, and general overhead. I use it for everything you can think of. A bonus is the software is free.

[ExTruckie]

I am using it for a file server. Also running xp on a VM so I can have listen to the local fire and police traffic without buying an $400 scanner. The thing is only coded for Media Player. I use webmin to admin the server.

It has been a learning experience for me as I was studding and got my MCITP Server Admin certification.

[I'mGeorge]

'cause it's the best solution for my laptop

[msandoy]

I have Ubuntu on all my computers, and I use it for all my computing tasks. I have become so familiar with Ubuntu that when I find myself on a windows computer, it feels so restricted and hostile towards the user. Probably just a feeling.
What's up with the UAC? If I start a program, what is the use of a message popping up on the screen telling me I have started it, as if I did not know, and asking if I really ment to do this action. 99% of all windows users in this world will click yes on anything that popps up, regardless if they started the program or not. UAC was just the last nail in the windows coffin for me.

[NightwishFan]

I recommend Ubuntu to any new users and also for my family to use.

[P1C0]

Ubuntu has become a passion. It just delivers awesomeness every day.