Why I Ubuntu

Linux is small enough. Let’s face it, most computer users don’t even know about Linux, let alone know what Ubuntu is. However, among new Linux users, Ubuntu is quickly becoming synonymous with Linux. And that is a shame.

Linux has a breadth and depth to it that is hard to fathom for new users. They are confused by the myriad of options because they are used to having a lack of choice if they are migrating from either Windows or the Mac. They seek solace in uniformity and conformity because it is a known entity and familiar. They want to have other users who are like them.  A big  user base and lots of applications is what they want.

That is not why I use Ubuntu. At least not entirely. I just like Ubuntu. I have tried every major distro and keep on going back to Ubuntu for one reason or another. I wander away because that is my nature. I am restless and am always seeking new things and challenges. When my system is working smoothly I seek to find a way to break it or just want to start over for the fun of it. Crazy? I know!

I like other distros. I like Simply MEPIS. I like its Debian underbelly. I like the fact that it has 32 and 64 bit versions. I like that it has a lite version. I like its ability to detect hardware and the fact that it comes with restricted drivers out of the box. I wish that Ubuntu did the same thing, yet offered a version without restricted drivers for those who have this hang up. So why don’t I use Simply MEPIS? I do! I have it installed on my system, but it isn’t my main distro. The reason why I don’t use it for my main distro is that it is slow to add patches to security fixes. It is slow to add updates to its repositories. And as I mentioned, I am restless and impatient.

I also like openSUSE. It is beautiful and offers lots of tools. It is unique. I had it installed until very recently. I like to have it around every once in awhile. My problem with SUSE is that it is RPM based and I don’t like that. For someone like me who is always installing or uninstalling, it is only a matter of time before I get dependency errors. It seems to go with RPMs. I find that after awhile openSUSE becomes unstable and unusable. On a fresh install though, it is a beautiful thing.

My favorite RPM based distro is PCLinuxOS. It is almost good enough to be my main distro which is saying a lot, given my prejudice against rpms. My problem with PCLOS is that it does not offer all of the programs that I use. I tried to install them, but ran into the brick wall of dependency problems. These same programs run on both Ubuntu and MEPIS without difficulty. They are Screenlets which gives me eye candy on my desktop, which I can live without, and Griffith, which has my database of home videos on it and I can’t live without that. I keep PCLOS around because I like it and every once in awhile I boot into it to see what is new.

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why my computer rejects Mandriva, given that PCLOS boots without problem. As does all of the PCLOS derivatives. I used Mandrake (precursor to Mandriva) for two years as my main OS, however that was on an older computer. I also can’t get Pendrive Linux to boot on this computer, but it is based on Mandriva, so it isn’t surprising.

I have Slax installed on my usb key instead and it is great! It is fast and is just what I want from a small distro. It has the familiarity and power of KDE all wrapped up in a small footprint. I can’t say its praises loudly enough.

I am also running Ubuntu Hardy Heron, 64-bit, complete with every possible desktop from the default Gnome, to the new KDE 4 andeven diminutive Sugar. It runs perfectly. I can’t wait for the final release. I think that the Ubuntu team deserve lots of credit in meeting its target and for making it an exciting new release.

I use Ubuntu 7.10 as my main distro. It is dependable. It is fast. It is full featured. It is current. It has every feature and application that I could want. That is why I Ubuntu. It is the complete package. The real deal. Oh, yes. It also has the largest community and is drawing in lots of new users. This will benefit everybody in the Linux community.

As Ubuntu grows, so does Linux. As new users gain experience they will expand and move into the wonderful world that is Linux and they will discover what we all know. Linux has something for everyone. If Ubuntu is not your style, there is sure to be a distro that is exactly what you want.

As the user base grows, the Linux experience itself will improve. OEMS and hardware manufacturers starting to provide drivers and application support. The initiatives are modest, but they are a start. There is a shift that is happening. It is subtle, but it is real. That should encourage us all that Linux is on the verge of something big.

Linux is a community as much as anything. As the community grows and gets stronger, then we all benefit. That is why I Ubuntu. It is in the name and what it means. It appeals to my personality, my politics and my worldview. To that end, I would like to see the parent company, Canonical, drop all of the branding except Ubuntu. I would like to add my name to the list of names of people who have already called for this. Kubuntu should become Ubuntu KDE and Ubuntu should be named Ubuntu Gnome. Ubuntu is what is important. It should be present in the name of all versions.