After upgrading from Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala to 10.04 Lucid Lynx and using it for the past week, I can safely say it is the best operating system out today, and here I will make my case.  My purpose for writing this stems not only from my passionate disdain of the Windows operating system, but from my experience of using both Linux and Windows for over a decade as a business owner, casual user, software developer, and consumer of multi-media.  The Windows versus Linux conversation is one I have been engaged in for a long time, and the main point of why Linux has not been ready for public consumption has been the difficulty of the installation.  Ubuntu 10.04 is the final nail in the coffin of that debate.


I am referring to Linux, but specifically the Ubuntu flavor of Linux, release 10.04.


Conceptually, the operating system is what separates the hardware and devices of your computer from the software and applications that you use.  Windows dominates with the lion's share of the market, followed by Mac, and then Linux with a very small piece of the pie.  Most people run Windows.  Collectively as a society, we don't give a second thought to operating systems, even with the presence and brand recognition of Apple and their Macintosh.  During the 1980's and 1990's, Apple was the red headed step child to Windows.  Those of you who used Apple back then probably remember having to find software in the Apple section in back of a Babbage's.  Apple was the only chance of competition to Windows, and they never pulled close for many reasons, primarily cost.  Apple is more expensive, therefore prices itself away from the every day consumer, even though it is undisputedly superior.



Linux is free

The first concept that must be drilled home is LINUX IS A FREE OPERATING SYSTEM.  If you have a computer and internet access, then you can run Linux.  At first, people usually have a hard time understanding how it is possible for an operating system like this to be free.  Linux is part of the "open source" community, which allows for anyone to pull down the source code and do with it as they wish, as opposed to Microsoft's proprietary Windows operating system.  Linux is developed and maintained by a collaboration of brilliant developers from all over the world, constantly developing and refining the architecture.


A common myth of Linux is the graphical desktop doesn't compete with Windows and Mac.  Instead of typing a dispute to the myth, the following are a few random youtube videos to put that misconception to rest:


Ubuntu 10.04 Compiz Fusion Naruto Style!!

Ubuntu 10.04 lucid lynx Beta With Compiz Fusion

Ubuntu 10.04 with Compiz



Again, free.




Your Windows files will still work on Linux -- even Windows itself

Microsoft Office is pretty much the de facto standard of the business world, and I would not be typing this if Linux couldn't accommodate.  The OpenOffice suite is the answer to Microsoft Office.  All of your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations will work seamlessly under OpenOffice.  You won't notice a difference, nor will anyone else.  OpenOffice isn't specific to Linux, and Windows users can download it as well, if you wish to save a few hundred bucks.  I have been using OpenOffice for years, on both Windows and Linux.


If you still wanted to use Windows while you use Linux, you can run your Windows-specific applications in an emulator named Wine (WINdows Emulator).  Ironically, Linux runs Windows better than Windows.



No more viruses and registry problems

Viruses aren't possible on Linux because of how the Linux architecture is designed, so no more anti-virus software and updates.




Multi media

Not only does Linux have clones for Winamp, iTunes, and Windows Media Player, you also get clones for Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Visio, Microsoft Project,  3-D Studio Max, and more, all for free.  Of course, the more advanced your hardware, such as processor speed and grade of video card, the more you can do.  The money you would spend on the Windows software can be spend on hardware upgrades.  For example, check out Blender (free), the equivalent to 3-D Studio Max ($4,000):

http://www.blender.org/features-gallery/features/



Here is Inkscape (free), the clone to Adobe Illustrator ($500):

http://inkscape.org/showcase/index.php?lang=en



For the business owner

Instead of worrying about Microsoft licensing, just spend the savings on some higher grade machines, and throw Linux on them for free.  The inter-office networking is a breeze, and your employees will have better work environments.



Performance

The stability of Linux far exceeds Windows, and requires much less horsepower.  This new version of Ubuntu 10.04 boots up in around 10 seconds.  If you install a new application, no need to reboot.  If you attach a new printer or device, Linux will have no problem recognizing it.  If you have an old computer that still works fine, but Windows is "outgrowing" the older hardware, Linux will run on it just fine.



Installing applications is a breeze

If you have an iPhone, or an Android, you may be familiar with their app store, where you download new apps.  Ubuntu has the same concept, with thousands of free applications for you to choose from and install with one click.  It notifies you when the install is complete.




The Ubuntu One personal cloud

This really isn't a huge deal, since disk space is so cheap nowadays, but Ubuntu gives you 2G free disk space on a remote server for you to sync and store your files, and share those files with your contacts.  You may store your contacts, document, music, video, or whatever you want.  It also gives you a music store where you can pull down free music (yes, legally), and music for sale, a la iTunes.  A subscription is available for $10 per month, giving you more features and disk space.




Run it off the CD or USB stick before installing it

If you want to test drive it for a while before you commit, you can boot it up straight from the CD, or even a USB memory stick.  You won't have the benefits and performance of a total install, but you can test drive it as long as you wish without affecting your current system.




So, why am I writing this now?  With previous versions of Linux, some situations would occur that required using the terminal and typing some commands.  These situations occured frequently, albeit it less frequently for each new release as time went on, yet frequent enough to where it wouldn't pass the "grandma test"; if you can't leave a computer and a new install CD alone with your grandma and have confidence that she will install it with no problems, boot it up and get on the internet to send you an email, then it isn't ready for prime time.  Ubuntu 10.04 LTS will pass the grandma test.  The only single issue that a new install has involves the Windows media codecs.  Legally, Linux can't include these codecs, which allow you to watch Windows media files, within their installs.  So, you have to go to the terminal to install them (yes, legally, they just can't be distributed with Linux), which takes about 5 seconds.


I can't wait to see what Ubuntu 11 will look like!

Thanks, Taxed. Seems like great information.

Good news Taxed, you only have to five days to wait for your next fix of Ubuntu goodness unless you couldn't wait and downloaded/installed the 10.10 release candidate.

   I was looking at ubuntu...you addressed alot in your post, but you didnt address the second main reason why more users didnt migrate to the free Linux...first was installation and the second was availability of software, alot of developers dont write linux versions and if they do it can be months after the windows/apple releases.
   Linux is a fine opsys and a great alternative to MSdos based opsys' and most of the people I know that use ubuntu dual boot because of software availability issues.
   It is no doubt however, superior to windows.

I very highly recommend http://www.linuxmint.com/]Linux Mint

They take Ubuntu and clean it up, it's a very polished version of Linux.

Here's my screenies of Linux Mint I took a couple of weeks ago -

Quote from: Pagan on October 05, 2010, 03:50:39 PM
Here's my screenies of Linux Mint I took a couple of weeks ago -

  Hows software availability for a home user...not business.

Quote from: zip on October 05, 2010, 04:15:37 PM
  Hows software availability for a home user...not business.

I haven't used Windows for years at home other than a Virtual Machine for testing purposes.  Generally the problem you run into is going through the zillions of options out there for you, well that is unless you're a hardcore gamer.  I'm not, for the occasional game I have an Xbox and every once in a while I'll fire up windows in a virtual machine and play a few rounds of Civ 4.

BTW here's Windows 7 running in VMWare , look at those performance stat's  8)

Quote from: Pagan on October 05, 2010, 04:23:27 PM
I haven't used Windows for years at home other than a Virtual Machine for testing purposes.  Generally the problem you run into is going through the zillions of options out there for you, well that is unless you're a hardcore gamer.  I'm not, for the occasional game I have an Xbox and every once in a while I'll fire up windows in a virtual machine and play a few rounds of Civ 4.

BTW here's Windows 7 running in VMWare , look at those performance stat's  8)

Is VMWare a WinE alternative?

Quote from: taxed on October 05, 2010, 05:07:53 PM
Is VMWare a WinE alternative?

No it's virtualized HW, ti's got it's own BIOS and virtual hardware.  You create the virtual machine, allocate the resources like cpu, ram, create your virutal disks, etc. etc.  Then just install the OS, Linux, Unix or Microsoft. 

I use it a lot at work, of course we have a full blown ESX environment.  I've also maintained a personal VMWare Workstation license for years, I love it.  There are others out there like Virtual Box but VMWare is the best by far.

Quote from: Pagan on October 05, 2010, 06:27:12 PM
No it's virtualized HW, ti's got it's own BIOS and virtual hardware.  You create the virtual machine, allocate the resources like cpu, ram, create your virutal disks, etc. etc.  Then just install the OS, Linux, Unix or Microsoft. 

I use it a lot at work, of course we have a full blown ESX environment.  I've also maintained a personal VMWare Workstation license for years, I love it.  There are others out there like Virtual Box but VMWare is the best by far.

Oh, yes yes.. I knew that... I haven't used it but I know about it... 

Quote from: taxed on October 05, 2010, 06:31:00 PM
Oh, yes yes.. I knew that... I haven't used it but I know about it...

I love VMWare, it's not only great for testing out different OS's easily but also I love the "group" feature.  I can create a number of VM's with a variety of servers, workstations, etc. etc.  Then just fire up the group and they not only boot in the order I choose but variable time's between machines booting.  I can keep them in an isolated VLAN, route them to my LAN, connect them to the cloud, clone them, replicate them, etc. etc. etc.  It rocks!!!!!  8)

Quote from: Pagan on October 05, 2010, 06:43:12 PM
I love VMWare, it's not only great for testing out different OS's easily but also I love the "group" feature.  I can create a number of VM's with a variety of servers, workstations, etc. etc.  Then just fire up the group and they not only boot in the order I choose but variable time's between machines booting.  I can keep them in an isolated VLAN, route them to my LAN, connect them to the cloud, clone them, replicate them, etc. etc. etc.  It rocks!!!!!  8)

A few of my friends love it...

Quote from: taxed on October 05, 2010, 06:46:02 PM
A few of my friends love it...

A lot of enterprise environments are running servers as VM's in production and more every day.

Quote from: bama_beau_redux on October 05, 2010, 07:44:49 PM

Here's my question: 
I use my computer to run my small business and to view the Internet.
I've had basically the same computer for eight years now with some upgrades,
but it's slowing down and I'm impatient and I want a new one.
I want something powerful and user friendly.  Money shouldn't be an issue.
What should I get?  Should I use Linux on the new computer?

Thanks for any assistance.

Best advice is to dual boot which is to have Linux and MS installed.  Mess about with it and learn, now don't go into it expecting it to be Windows, it's not Windows.  If you want Windows then stick with it but you're leaving Microsoft for a reason so don't expect Linux to be Microsoft.

Most software for Linux there are equal and in most cases better alternatives than what you get on the Microsoft platform.  Another advantage is with Debian based distro's like Ubuntu and Mint is you don't have to run around to different sources for the Software.  99% is available in the repository's and easily updated.