What should I use?
I have many computers at home. The system I am typing on right now is a netbook running Ubuntu 9.04 UNR. I do own a full sized laptop but it was out for repair. The hard drive died however the repair was covered via a store bought extended warranty.
As I said in post one, I deleted the Windows Vista partition on this computer and installed Linux instead. Everything was going fine, until the disk spun with a clug clug clug. This would have happened no matter what operating system I was using.
When I sent the system in for service, I was asked for the restore disk I made upon running Windows for the first time…. But I didn’t run Windows, anytime. Instead, I sent a note saying that I used Ubuntu, and I included the media.
Today the system arrived. I had no idea what would boot, if anything. Right now its booted and on the Vista EULA screen.
This made me consider, what should I use?
- I could install Linux like I had before. Perhaps trying another distribution.
- I could wait a few days for when Ubuntu 9.10 launches.
- I could just go ahead, approve the EULA and start using Vista.
- I could approve the EULA, then buy Windows 7 tomorrow.
Do you remember how I blogged wondering if there was going to be fanfare for the Windows 7 launch? Well, there are no Microsoft stores near me. The neighborhood Best Buy will not have any launch parties, nor do they expect any campers. The geeksquad tech I talked to told me that she expects their store to have plenty of quanties of Windows 7 in stock. No hype. Just software. Now, if I go for the Windows 7 upgrade, it needs to be a version that is suitable for the Home Premium version, 32 bit. Did you know there are 8 versions of Windows Vista? Well, it looks like there are only 3 upgrade options. Hey, I’m confused on what the migration path is for me. I’m a sysadmin with a fresh Vista install. How will the general public decide?
I’ll let you all know what I decide to use. Until then, please make a recommendation on what should I use as an operating system for my laptop and why?
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You might be able to get $115 to use Ubuntu:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/10/19/windows_dell_linux_refund/
I think even if it was even money, I would use Ubuntu or Fedora. But if you get the refund, that’s a nice little bonus.
Pick a 64 bit Linux, if you like Ubuntu, use Ubuntu. If you like rpm’s, use Fedora. Take the $115 and buy more RAM.
Windows 7 == Windows Vista 2.0. There’s nothing like getting all of the software you need with the operating system’s distributor, and there’s nothing like that from Microsoft.
UsingTry something new and interesting like Slackware or Archlinux! Fantastic distros! Or even consider giving the bsd’s a spin!
UsingI use 9.10 for two weeks on Dell Studio 15. It runs pretty well.
UsingWhich distribution of GNU/Linux you use depends on the tasks at hand and what you are used to. You can get the same software in any distribution but some are better tuned than others for specific tasks, such as media editing and dealing with unfriendly hardware. Without further details, I would recommend Debian as the most general purpose and flexible distribution. Their net install process requires less downloading than most distributions but offers full drive encryption, a choice of desktops and excellent language support through a simple text based install. KDE, Gnome and XFCE are the default desktop options and there are many other window managers that can be installed later. The best argument for Debian is one of it’s core goals, ease of upgrade. Debian systems are famous for seamless migrations from one version to another. If you love your laptop and will be using it for many years, Debian will serve you well. The downsides are relatively stale stable packages and difficulty with obnoxious hardware. It was once easier to install non free software like Skype, Flash and video drivers on Debian but vendors have come around thanks to Ubuntu’s big market share.
Under no circumstances would I recommend Vista or Windows 7. These operating systems are malicious even if they did work but they won’t ever be as good as GNU/Linux. The “familiarity” promised by Vista and the new Office programs are cruel jokes to Windows users. Both come with forced changes and muscle memory loss worse than switching to all but the most exotic of GNU/Linux desktops. Finally, Microsoft is imploding and lacks the ability to fix it’s problems, if ever non free software could. GNU/Linux Netbooks, Open Office and Google have stripped M$ of 50% of it’s Windows revenue and dug a deep hole into their future Office franchise. Old partners and competitors alike are breaking free of the Microsoft monopoly, despite threats of lawsuits over bogus patents and punishing retail power that has bankrupted massive chains like Circuit City and CompUSA. The brave few who wasted the last two years learning the ins and outs of Vista surely regret the effort because Windows 7 has changed everything again. Free software users, on the other hand, happily exercise skills they learned ten or twenty years ago and only chose new interfaces when the feature set suits them. Apple too, thanks to a liberal helping of free software, and less criminal development goals, has provided a more stable platform but that is not really a choice you have and I would not endorse a non free software platform that is still littered with digital restrictions.
Using