Posts Tagged “Linux”

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19 01 2010

Ubuntu Asks Users “What Do You Want?”

Posted by Dejoe John in Tech Update, tags: , , ,

Ubuntu has done more for Linux adoption than any other distribution, and that is more than a matter of how much money mark Shuttleworth has thrown into the mix. It is a benefit of being the distribution that was not afraid to use things that were not open-source when it was clear that they were needed, like drivers.

Now, on its way to releasing another long term support version of Ubuntu (10.04) the company is asking prospective users what they would like to see included with it. The choices given are closed source, and not all free, which may be upsetting to some, but are going to be necessary if Linux is to grow further.  Some of the choices are outlined, and the effects are shown in an article from Download Squad -

To say Ubuntu has a dedicated fan base is probably a bit of an understatement. As the most widely-recognized Linux distribution, Ubuntu has helped push Linux beyond the fringe of desktop computer use.
But because it’s Linux — and because Linux and open source are intertwined so tightly in the minds of many — things get a little dicey when there’s mention of closed source software being packaged with Ubuntu by default.
Take the recent survey they posted. It’s a reasonable enough request - which apps would you like to see in Ubuntu which currently aren’t available? Where the trouble arises is with the selections listed in the survey, apparently: Photoshop, iTunes, Skype, Hulu.
Oh god, no! What the hell are they thinking?!
I’ll tell you what. They’re thinking that Ubuntu needs those apps in order to appeal to a much broader group of people. Windows still owns the desktop computer market, and the lack of recognizable apps like iTunes keeps many people from even considering Linux as an alternative.
It’s the truth, whether the Ubuntu community wants to admit it or not. I’ve tried to extol the virtues of Linux to plenty of retail customers and more than one has replied “can I run iTunes on it?” When I say no, their interest disappears completely.
Bringing apps like those mentioned would be a bold move by Canonical, but one that would indeed pay off in the long run.

This would be a very good thing for many, because some people are so wed to one or two applications that they are totally familiar with them, and the problem has been that releases of open-source work-alikes fall into the “close, but no cigar” category. By giving those people the real thing, the last point of hold out for many is removed.

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25 05 2009

Dell Latitude 2100-N: A Great Ubuntu Linux Netbook

Posted by Dejoe John in Reviews, tags: , , , , ,

I was lucky enough to have a friend at Dell who let me play with Dell’s new Latitude 2100-N for a few hours. After he chased me down, he pried it out of my fingers. I didn’t want to give it up. This is one nice Ubuntu Linux-powered netbook.

The Dell unit I looked at came with an Intel Atom N270 CPU running at 1.6GHz. This one had 1GB of DDR2 SDRAM, an 80GB, 5,400rpm hard drive, and integrated Mobile Intel 950 GMA graphics chip set. It also had a 6-cell battery. Like most new netbooks, it comes with a good-sized display: 10.1″. As equipped, this unit would sell for $444.

The base Ubuntu Linux 8.10 equipped unit comes with 512MBs of RAM, a 16GB SSD (solid state drive) and a 3-cell battery. This version of the netbook sells for $369. If you wanted to get the same netbook with XP Home SP3, it would cost you $399. It’s always nice to see a vendor offer you the Linux cost savings.

It’s also worth noting that while Dell also offers Vista Home Basic on this netbook, they also point out that “if you choose Microsoft Vista and also would like Microsoft Office productivity software, you will need to select a hard drive option with at least 80GB of space.” I’d add that you’d also need to upgrade the RAM to at least a gigabyte if you expect to run Vista without screaming in frustration.

One of the features I like about this netbook is that, unlike most of its breed, Dell makes it easy to upgrade the Latitude 2100-N’s RAM. While Ubuntu runs great in 512MBs of RAM, and XP does decently in it, the netbook comes with a SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) slot that, combined with the memory on the motherboard, will let you give the PC up to 2GBs of RAM. Nice.

Ubuntu 8.10 ran like a charm on this system. It came with Dell 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and I was immediately able to find and use the local Wi-Fi. I used the net for almost the entire time I had my mitts on the netbook, and I was really pleased to find that with the pumped-up battery I wasn’t even close to out of power after four-hours of zooming around the Web.

What I really liked best about this unit though wasn’t really computer related at all. It comes with a hardy plastic body, which they tell me is made of PC ABS (polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which gives it a very solid feel. It also has a rubberized lid and base. The over-all effect is that you feel like this is one laptop that could take a licking and keep on ticking.

Best of all, with this rugged exterior, the Latitude comes with the option of a shoulder strap that connects directly with the netbook. At just over 3-pounds and with great battery life, this is a netbook that you can just slip on your shoulder and run from class to class, or, in my case, from home to library to coffee shop without a thought.

I like this strap idea a lot. Seriously. A netbook gets lost in most laptop bags, and you sure can’t put any of them in your pocket. Now, if you’re a woman with a good-sized purse, you’re set. But, for most of guys, this shoulder strap makes a great way to cart a computer with you without pulling out a laptop bag.

I expect to see many other netbook vendors picking this feature up. It really makes a lot of sense. Portable, powerful, and Linux: the Dell Latitude 2100-N makes a great netbook for students and workers on the go.

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17 05 2009

Linux vs Windows: The Netbook Question

Posted by Dejoe John in Reviews, Tech Update, tags: , , , ,

Divin John is planning to buy a netbook. Should he go with Linux or Windows?

That’s a good question, and one that I haven’t yet decided for myself. Here’s how I see it:

Linux is smaller, faster, free, less prone to crashes, and much less likely to get infected with malware.

On the other hand, you already know Windows, so going with Linux requires a learning curve.

Another problem: There’s less software available for Linux, and what is available isn’t always what you’re used to. For instance, if you work primarily in Microsoft Office, Linux will require you to learn an alternative like OpenOffice. That’s yet another learning curve.

I recommend you try Linux on your current PC before making your decision. Ubuntu Linux is one popular distribution that’s extremely easy to set up and get running. You can boot it directly from the CD (which you burn from a downloaded .iso file), install it from inside Windows, or put it onto a bootable flash drive.

Add your comments to this article below. If you have other tech questions, email them to me

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