Late last year, I did a couple of columns on the free Ubuntu Linux operating system.
I reported that I had installed it on my spare computer and that I had been extremely impressed with how well it worked. I was convinced that the average computer user would find Ubuntu more than adequate for all their computing needs.
One reservation I did have with the operating system was that the initial installation did not provide support for playing many media file formats. I discovered that you can get files, such as CDs, DVDs and various types of streaming media, to play on Ubuntu, but it does require some fiddling under the bonnet.
Another reservation I had was that, although there is a way to run some Windows programs under Ubuntu, the process can be far from simple. I concluded that it would be a viable choice for many computer users with the only real exceptions being people who need software which is either not available on Linux, or won’t run on it.
Since those columns were published, I have discovered a new version of Linux which is even easier to use than Ubuntu. It is called Linux Mint and is essentially a streamlined and simplified version of Ubuntu.
Linux Mint 8 (codenamed Helena) corresponds to the current version of Ubuntu, known as Karmic Koala, and can be downloaded for free from www.linuxmint.com.
It installs with a refreshing minty-green (what else?) colour scheme and is indeed very simple to use and navigate your way around. It comes with a wide selection of software, including OpenOffice and many other packages, and it is totally compatible with all the software that will run on Ubuntu.
One area where Mint has greatly improved over Ubuntu, is that it is able to play most media formats straight after installation. The desktop layout has also been simplified and there are fewer options and buttons to click on.
The installation file is rather large Nearly 700Mb), but I have discovered that it is possible to order it on CD from fosscds.co.za for about R30 a copy.
One good thing about Linux Mint, and many other versions of Linux, is that they can be used to boot up your Windows computer into Linux without making any changes to Windows. This makes it very easy to preview new operating systems without committing yourself to installing them.
Linux Mint is also able to install itself in such a way that, when you switch your computer on, you are given the choice whether you would like to boot into it or the operating system that you had previously installed.
This option seems fairly safe but as usual with these things, you’d be well advised to have a good backup of all your data, before starting the install process.
I have been incredibly impressed with the two versions of Linux that I’ve tried so far. To my mind, they are more than ready for prime time and are extremely viable competitors for Windows.
My feeling is that Windows could have a serious problem going forward, especially if the Linux developers start paying more attention to making a really bullet-proof means of running Windows programs on Linux.
Hi Allan,
Thanks for the comments re: Ubuntu. I am quite tempted to download it and give it a try. As you say ,
it can be run in parallel with Windows. I have a spare 120GB hard-drive inside my case – is there a way of backing up all my Windows files there, so that I can download Ubuntu onto the main drive? What’s the easiest way of doing this?
Thanks, Steven.
Steven, I made a copy of Ubuntu and Mint for you and will drop it off this week. There are probably many ways of copying vital files to a second location but, funnily enough considering we’re talking about Open Source, the one I use is Microsoft’s free SyncToy. You basically set up pairs of folder and tell it synchronise their contents. The first time it runs, it copies the content from the designated folders in the C drive to folders on the backup. Thereafter, it only copies files that have changed on C. You can get SyncToy from: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C26EFA36-98E0-4EE9-A7C5-98D0592D8C52&displaylang=en
Could not agree more. In my daily work and in the local community I meet people who are struggling with MS products. Each new issue adds whistles and bells and 90%+ of the people who use the programs haven’t the faintest idea how to use them.
I have contended that as a microsoft program Works is all that is needed. For Xmas I bought my wife a net book for less than 2000 rand. it is running on open source and has got everything and more that she wants.
The big question is why do the computer shops not offer it as an alternative and so save about another 2000 bucks for unnecessary Software. It is if there are some windows programs which are desperately needed then load XP home for that and then open office – so easy to come by.
Why are dealers pushing the MS software? When I bought the netbook, from a leading supplier, I had to push. It was not on display! I found it on the web! Come on dealers – play fair make operating programs an optional extra cut out the rip-offs. Open source is probably all that most of the punters need!
Amen Les!