It's been an interesting year so far for operating systems. Microsoft released its first major upgrade in 5 years with Windows Vista, and Ubuntu Linux continued on its way toward world domination with the release of Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn. Even Michael Dell's running it on his home computer (and shipping it on yours).With that in mind, we bring you the first in a limited edition Download Squad Podcast. Collect them all. Trade them with your friends. Today we speak with Download Squad's Grant Robertson and Alex Hung, two guys with a boatload of Windows and Mac experience who have been trying out Ubuntu Linux.In the coming weeks we'll speak to other members of the team about switching from Windows to OS X and switching from Windows XP to Vista. We hope to offer you a little insight and advice. But mostly, we hope that you can learn from our mistakes.
If you don't have 32 minutes to spare, check out Grant's excellent advice for anyone thinking about trying out Ubuntu:
And here's the rest of podcast #1:
Show Notes
If you're interested in learning a bit more about the topix covered in the podcast, you may want to check out:
- Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution designed for everyday desktop use. There are also custom versions available for doing everything from producing audio and video to serving as a home media center.
- Automatix is a script that automatically installs a number of applications and plugins that are not automatically installed with Ubuntu or most other Linux distributions, including Skype, audio and video codecs. Take note, many of these applications are not officially supported by Ubuntu, so be careful when installing anything through Automatix.
- You can learn a lot more about Ubuntu in the Ubuntu forums.
- Download the podcast as an mp3.
- Download Grant's advice.
- Subscribe to this podcast series to automatically download future episodes.
- Subscribe to our feed in the iTunes Store.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-07-2007 @ 10:30AM
Shawn said...
Man, is this about Ubuntu or Automatix?? The first half of the brief version isn't an overview of Linux/Ubuntu at all but all about Automatix. Forget it.
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6-07-2007 @ 11:35AM
Chris Brentano said...
Automatix is an important tool to highlight for folks interested in switching to Ubuntu from Windows XP, because it helps make the transition much easier.
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6-07-2007 @ 12:06PM
geoff said...
A lot of the programs and codecs are available under the Add/Remove programs.
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6-07-2007 @ 12:29PM
Ryan Carter said...
Great job guys, I love the ideas and hearing about what it takes to switch.
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6-07-2007 @ 12:29PM
thoreau said...
Arghhh!!! Why! why! why! Why can't you make Grants comments about Automatix/Ubuntu downloadable so that dial-up people can hear it also???
Listen to five seconds wait twenty seconds then listen to another five seconds then wait twenty seconds then listen to another five seconds then wait another twenty seconds then listen to five seconds...
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6-07-2007 @ 12:36PM
Brad Linder said...
thoreau: You can click the Odeo player to get a download link. Or better yet, you can download the file directly here: http://odeo.com/show/13148133/4/download/GrantRobertsonsAdviceOnUsingUbuntu_.mp3
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6-07-2007 @ 3:08PM
thoreau said...
Thanks for the cool link Brad. I am really interested in Ubuntu.
It seems that with each new windows release Mr. Gates tightens the noose a bit on us.
With the growing popularity and ease of use of Linux I would think Mr. Gates would pander to the consumer a little more instead of taking sides in favor of the RIAA, or he could have at least remained neutral.
Perhaps windows has such a large market share that it seems invulnerable to any competition.
P.S. Alex Jones new video on Utube.
The GrantRobertsonsAdviceOnUsingUbuntu_.mp3 has finished downloading.
Thanks again. thoreau
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6-07-2007 @ 3:12PM
thoreau said...
Thank you for the cool link Brad.
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6-07-2007 @ 8:40PM
qbix said...
The only thing keeping me from trying Ubuntu is their lack of native support for fake Raid arrays. I am currently running XP on a Raid 0 array based on two raptor drives. It's fast, and I left 30 GB of unpartitioned spaced over a year ago just for Ubuntu. To my dismay, it's not supported on the Desktop versions of any past version, and though there is a way to install it, it involves having some of experience or familiarity with Linux, of which I have none. I just hope they implement Raid support in later versions because I'm dying to try it.
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6-07-2007 @ 8:41PM
name said...
"The only thing keeping me from trying Ubuntu is their lack of native support for fake Raid arrays"
Your kidding me.. Have you tried yet?
Im pretty sure im running Linux on a RAID0. Linux like invented RAID dude.. Well not really but they have had Software RAID support on Linux since like i was born n shit.
Most hardware RAID devices work. But if its a software RAID you want, just open gparted before you click install and just create a partition and lable it RAID!
Run this command in the terminal:
mdadm --create --verbose /dev/md0 --level=linear --raid-devices=2 /dev/sdb1 /dev/sdc1
Replacing that with your correct devices and BAM! RAID is on then click install and point to /dev/md0
Its about 200000X more simple than Windows software RAIDS.. In fact im not even sure if Windows can support software raids.. So i guess its hardware RAID you want, in that case just install it FFS
infact dont even install ubuntu you will just waste our time if your not bother to read like 3 lines of text.. lazy son of a bitch... dont bitch about how Linux doesnt work if you dont have the guts to read anything about it.
LINUX != WINDOWS
get that through your skull
sorry ive been drinking lots..
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6-07-2007 @ 10:30PM
Tony said...
Hey "name", the information is of course useful, but the approach you had makes linux fanboys look like complete asses. There is no need for the attitude in your post. If drinking makes you act that stupid on the computer then unplug the damn thing before you crack open your next sixpack. It'll make a lot of people so much happier.
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6-09-2007 @ 11:52PM
Fyrewerx said...
I find it humorous that Grant and Alex keep referring to the belief that Ubuntu is a good OS for your "mother" or your "parents". I'm 60 years old, and have been involved on the "cutting" (or bleeding, if you prefer) edge of various OS's, building high performance PCs for friends, family, and businesses since 1982. I've taught PCs, applications, etc. at local community colleges for a few years, and "I" find Ubuntu Feisty Fawn an excellent first OS for "kids" --- from 5 to 38 (after 39, if they don't get it, they never will -- stick with your darn crack-berry).
I also find that a well built PC, and with careful OS installation, Microsoft's Vista is also an excellent OS. Most geeks who are jumping on the "kill MS" bandwagon, really don't know that much about OS's for the masses. That's OK though, because that's what furthers the interest and improvement in the open systems. It is what ultimately will keep the price of MS and Apple products reasonable.
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6-10-2007 @ 2:07AM
Clarion said...
I've been interested in switching, or at least learning how to use Linux, for a while, and I installed Ubuntu as a second operating system on my desktop. However, it seems to me that the friendly and helpful Linux community that I've always heard about is, in fact, populated in large part by people like "name" in the worst-case scenarios, and people who are in fact friendly and try to be helpful, but still go over the head of most Windows converts in the best cases. Posts like the one made by "name" here are one of the biggest obstacles, I believe, to getting more people to consider switching, because whether Linux users believe it or not, Linux is not easier than Windows if Windows is what you know, and acting like an obnoxious prick does not help promote the ideal of the open-source community you hold so dear.
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