Ubuntu Linux - The Third Choice

By Weston Dransfield

“Hello, I'm a Mac. And I'm a PC.”

     We have probably all noticed the commercials and heard the Mac vs. PC debate from friends, family, and co-workers. I personally have entered into many debates with others about which computer is the best choice. The choice to choose a Mac or Windows computer is especially important to students, many of whom are purchasing their first computer that they will use throughout their education. Both Macs and PCs have their advantages and disadvantages, but today I want to introduce you to a third choice – Linux. In particular Ubuntu Linux.

      Linux is an operating system that you can install on both Macs and PCs. There are over 600 distributions (versions) of Linux. Image all the flavors of ice cream there are in the world. Some of them are delicious and other flavors are not so good, but at their core the main ingredients are the same. Much like ice cream Linux comes in many flavors, but they each have different perks and their own set of problems. In this post I will take a look at one of the great flavors of Linux – Ubuntu Linux.

The Good

Installation 

Ubuntu Installation

     Ubuntu is very simple to install on your PC or Mac. You can download Ubuntu from Ubuntu.com for free and follow online instructions to install it on your system. Before you even install it you can try it out on your computer to see if it is to your liking. Once the installer gets going you are presented with a beautiful sideshow tour of Ubuntu while it installs. The installation process allows you to choose between installing Ubuntu as the only operating system on your machine or installing it alongside your current operating system. The latter choice allows you to choose between booting into Ubuntu or your other operating system when the computer starts. This is a very useful feature if you want to try Ubuntu but are not ready to take the plunge by making it your primary operating system.

Design 

     Ubuntu is absolutely gorgeous! When switching from Windows to Ubuntu the simple, elegant design made me stop and stare at the screen. Even compared to my Mac Ubuntu takes the cake with its clean, beautiful layout. Ubuntu's user interface will be familiar to Mac and PC users alike. Shortcuts to favorite applications as well as your open applications are are arranged on a bar to the left. Small, monochromatic icons display your computers status at the top right.

     Like a Mac, Ubuntu features a universal menu bar which prevents your applications from becoming cluttered with large, multiple menus. Ubuntu is snappy and ran very well even on some of the more ancient computers I installed it on. Ubuntu supports virtual desktops called workspaces that you can switch between to help you keep tasks organized. This feature came in very handy for me when doing homework or research for different classes.

Applications

LibreOffice Suite

      Ubuntu comes loaded with most of the applications students and others will need right out of the box. LibreOffice, a very capable office suite in Ubuntu, is very similar to Microsoft Office. LibreOffice features Writer, Calc, and Impress. Basically these are the equivalents of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, the major difference being that LibreOffice is completely free. From great social media apps to excellent photo editors and from entertainment to education, Ubuntu has an application for almost any task.

     

Ubuntu Software Center

     Ubuntu also comes with it's own application store known as the Ubuntu Software Center. From the software center users can download thousands of applications they need to be productive for free. The software center also has many games you can download for free, including the popular game client Steam. The software center pulls lists of applications from online sources which the user can remove or add. This makes the size of the software center enormous!

     During my time using Ubuntu as a student I have never lacked an application that I needed to be productive and accomplish all of my tasks.

The Not So Good

Learning Curve 

Ubuntu Support

     Although Ubuntu shares many features that PC and Mac users will be very familiar with, Ubuntu has some additional characteristics that will be new to most users. This learning curve is not really a bad thing, just an opportunity to learn some new skills. After using Ubuntu for a day or so I felt familiar with most of it's features and the way it worked. A friendly community and extensive documentation are there to help with any problems you may encounter.

Conclusion

     I have really fallen in love with Ubuntu while using it as a student. It's elegant design and clean interface help keep me on track and stay productive, especially at school. Ubuntu is fun to use and leaves me feeling effective and successful rather than frustrated or annoyed. The problems I have run into while using Ubuntu were able to be solved without too much difficulty, and I almost always learn something new from them. Ubuntu is a great choice for students who want an operating system that is different and highly useful. The Mac vs. PC debate is almost irrelevant to me now, I go with the third choice – Ubuntu Linux.

Have a question or comment? Let us know what your experience with +Ubuntu  has been like in the comments bellow.