Ubuntu Users' Stories

Who is using Ubuntu?

Check out who and why is using Ubuntu Linux. Read the stories below.

Souleymane, Niger, Database Manager

Ubuntu is a part of my life. Since I discover it, I am ok.

Thomas King, Student

I'm only a day-old Ubuntu user, so I'm still on the learning curb. But I love it! I had tried other distributions of Linux in the past - Fedora, SUSE - but never before has Linux been so easy to use. I had no problems getting it installed and running, whereas, in the past, Debian and other distributions were much more trivial.

My only complaint as a Web developer would be with the default fonts. I know I can go in and change these, but I'd prefer that they resemble Mac OS's Lucida out of the box, instead of the gauche-looking default font family. I've heard thing complaint before from other Web developers and designers, so I don't think I'm along there. Hopefully they'll consider this for later releases.

Overall, Hardy Heron is an easy to install, easy to use OS, which I now prefer over my previous OS, Windows Vista. Ubuntu isn't perfect, though. I wouldn't recommend it to gamers or graphic designers. I say that because I'm not a fan of emulators, like Wine, and Gimp just isn't Photoshop. But, for me, seeing as I'm not a gamer and I only use Ubuntu for Web development, Ubuntu is the best thing the PC has going for it right now.

Angel, Housewife/Mother

In October of 2007 I was perusing the web and came across Ubuntu, and found it quite interesting. It seemed like a neat Idea. I had considered trying to dual boot Redhat in the past but was always too scared for fear of screwing something up. Well for a while I just sort of read info and didn't install anything. At income tax time (approximately February of 2008) I bought a new Rig the most powerful computer I had ever owned.

It's an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz quad core processor with 8MB of cache, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 500GB SATA II hard drive and an NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 265mb.

Somewhere in between my Ubuntu discovery and rig purchase I had read about virtualbox so now that I had a system I could actually run it on without tremendous lag I decided to give it a go. I found an article which walked me step by step through how to setup virtualbox with Ubuntu. At the time I believe it was Ubuntu 7.10. I really enjoyed the experience and I've since installed numerous Linux operating systems on virtualbox just to try them out, however I always come back to Ubuntu. Eventually I grew tired of the limitations you have when virtually running an operating system and decided to give dual booting a try on an older computer, and I loved it. Actually it wasn't a dual-boot I used Wubi and installed Ubuntu that way on my husbands computer. It was my first experience with compiz as you can't run that in virtualbox. I love how I'm able to completely customize my desktop experience without handing over more money to some third party company. The availability of software is also another plus, I love how if I need to be able to do something all I have to do is search the synaptic package manager and/or Google to find the features I'm looking for

The only reason at this point that I keep windows is for games (I really hope this changes I would love to see more big name game developers give love to Linux operating systems). I can pretty much do everything else on Ubuntu. Including working on my websites with dreamweaver thanks to wine. I also enjoy the speed I have Even the older computer feels fast again with Ubuntu running on it.

My number one reason for loving Ubuntu though is this. I did have some hardware issues initially when first dual-booting Ubuntu and I all I had to do was a few Google and forum searches to fix them. The community support is phenomenal, and in all the time I used windows (we're talking all the way back to the beginning here, my first computer had dosshell on it) I have never had the great sense of community and support that I get from the Ubuntu community!

So all in all I would say my experience has been quite positive and I look forward to many years of happy Ubuntu computing.

Kumar, Physiotherapist.

I live in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. I bought a PC from a local assembler in February 2008. It came with a pirated version of Windows XP. I can't afford original Windows OS. I heard about Ubuntu from the internet. I did some research. I downloaded it and installed it dual boot. I can feel the difference clearly between Ubuntu and Windows. I love Ubuntu. I don't use Windows at all. Most of the people who struggle with Windows are afraid to use Ubuntu because they are only familiar with Windows, but actually anyone with some basic computer awareness can use Ubuntu. I am happy that I made a right decision. Linux is far more superior than Windows I can say.

Michael G. Paez, Systems Administartor

I started to to play around with Ubuntu around version 5. Linux was something I was interested in and Ubuntu was one of the better option to play around with in my opinion. I had it running on spare systems and as I said before, it was more to toy around with and I didn't take it very seriously.

One day I was able to get Windows Vista Ultimate 32 bit version at a fairly discounted price (9) and got home and installed it on my desktop. I kept on having blue screens and other performance issues. I checked all the hardware until the only thing I could determine as being the problem was the software. I decided to install Ubuntu 7.04 64 bit (FREE) on my home desktop and encountered no issues and performance was even better. Thats when I drew a line in the sand and said, I want to use windows as little as possible.

Thats when I fully dove in to Ubuntu. On my work laptop, a HP NC6400, I installed Ubuntu 7.10 and I am currently running 8.04. On my work laptop, I've configured Ubuntu to use our VPN and I am able to VPN in and work on servers as needed. I have a VM of XP for those cases where work requires a Windows machine.

I've become somewhat of a Ubuntu evangelist, preaching the benefits of having Ubuntu installed on your desktop or laptop. Everyone that has installed it is very happy with the systems and haven't looked back.

Ed Briggs, computer repair

After years of using windows, I decided to give Ubuntu a try. Simply put, I was blown away by it. I now own my operating system and can use and tweak it any way I see fit. No viruses or spyware to worry about is a huge plus. I have long since wiped windows from my computer, and I will never again use a microsoft product.

Johnny Utah, Systems Administrator

I love Debian, but its always been better fitted for a server rather than a desktop for me. I tried Ubuntu a few years ago and liked it. Then I installed KDE (Kubuntu) and removed Gnome and loved it. It provided the stable foundation of Debian, with all the new cool apps and utilities. I encourage every Windows/Mac user to try Ubuntu and every Ubuntu user to try Kubuntu. Here is one of our community forums:

http://kubuntuway.net

Kyle, Student/Tech Support Intern

I made the Linux plunge my freshman year and have never looked back. At first I used PCLinuxOS and dual-booted between Linux and Windows(primarily for gaming). Now, I run Ubuntu 8.04-amd64 full time (using wine to run all of my old Windows games) and can barely imagine life before the switch. I no longer had to stave off viri or malware, suffer through the hassle of Windows Genuine Advantage checks, or pirate the software I need to do my work, seeing as Ubuntu's extensive repositories contain software for just about any application, free from charge or copyright restrictions. As a computer science major, Linux has helped me become more acquainted with how my computer actually works, it has allowed me to "look under the hood" and concretely understand the concepts discussed in my classes. I also love the freedom and flexibility Linux offers, anything in the system can be altered to fit my tastes or needs.

Aleksander, High School Student

Way back in middle school was when I pursued a growing interest in computers. My parents had just gotten Windows Vista. I hated it. I thought that Windows had invested more in Aero than in the software I needed. Needless to say, as soon as I got my own desktop, I immediately loaded it up with the newest version of Ubuntu, Hardy Heron. Never had a problem with it. The Synaptic Package Manager has had everything I have ever needed, and the Ubuntu Community has been solicitous to the end, with clear, helpful and free advice (free, just like everything in Ubuntu!)

I'm now proud to say that I have become a sort of Ubuntu Evangelist, developing and propagating the greatest Operating System on the planet. Ubuntu Linux to me, is the synergy of Usability, with scalability. So I say, "Hurray" for Ubuntu, and I eagerly await the new version!

orgthingy, Student

My brother installed ubuntu 6.06 on my laptop because he wondered if it would be easy for me, a complete newbie in PCs! Well, I have to admit that first few days were hard, but the rest was easy! Now, i can customize my PC the way i want without worrying about viruses anymore!!

Dion, Currently at school

Amazing. truly amazing, the effects and overall feel of ubuntu is great. After installing ubuntu for free! I can simply not understand how Microsoft can get away with charging 200+ for an OS that cant do a fraction of what ubuntu can do. I was an avid Vista fan, and the thought of changing was daunting, but after 20 min of using ubuntu I was ready to completely liberate myself from the shackles of Microsoft. Change change now. - use wubi

Chris Lucier, Self-employed, IT Consultant & Advisor

I used to work for a very popular computer shop in downtown Toronto. We had a lot of customers that would comment on the price of Windows and other software after spending 0 to ,000 (and often more) on their brand new PC. Many of them found that the cost of Windows and any additional software was pretty close to, and sometimes even more than, their computer.
For me, it was for that reason that all of my software was pirated. The beauty of pirated software is that it's free and even though you may have to agree to an "EULA Agreement", you don't really have to adhere to it - because you already broke it by pirating the software itself!
After years of thievery and supplying others with "the goods" to do the same, I suddenly found myself switching a number of applications over to open-source software. Starting with OpenOffice and quickly finding more and more alternatives I became closer and closer to realizing that all along there has been an alternative way to do everything that I used to believe cost a fortune to do in Windows.
It wasn't long until I started looking to alternatives to Windows itself. I've been around computers for well over a decade and had often heard and even read up on Linux. Different distributions, with all the same capabilities I was looking for in an operating system. Best of all, they were all free. That's right {value}. No annual subscription. No licensing fees. No restrictions whatsoever.
About a year ago I started trying out as many different distributions as I could find to see what worked the best for me. Starting with Mandrake, then OpenSUSE, I eventually worked my way to Ubuntu 6.06. I had found it! It was everything I was looking for.
I now run an ASUS Eee PC (having sold my trusty desktop to get one shortly after it's North American debut) with Ubuntu 8.04 - Hardy Heron.
I have absolutely no intention of ever running anything from Microsoft, for my own personal use, ever again.
As an IT consultant, I do work in Windows environments, but I cringe inside every single time I do. I watch as company after company, household after household, throws countless dollars out their windows without even realizing that there are other options out there for them. I do make recommendations in favor of Linux when the opportunity genuinely arises. I simply try to help the blind to see the corporate software giants for what they really are.

I do hope that one day, people will break free of their digital shackles and realize the potential that Linux offers them. The benefits of a free OS coupled with the endless supply of free software will have the world wondering what ever stopped them from saying "No." to Microsoft in the first place.

I'm glad I did, and I recommend everyone do the same.

MTecknology, Network Administrator

I was first introduced to Linux by Kelly Schuerman. He was the network administrator of my high school at the time. He has since moved on to managing large campus networks.

I was using a lot of illegitimet version of Windows software. I told him that if there was something free that I could use, I would use it. Well, he happened to have an ISO of Ubuntu 5.04 Hoary Hedgehog. This version was just coming out at the time. I said I didn't want to lose what i do have in case it didn't work.

He said I could dual boot my system. Instead of listening to him, I just wiped everything and installed Ubuntu on the whole thing. I had troubles off the bat with it. My biggest issue was the wireless card. He had to basically do all of getting ndiswrapper to work with my wireless card. Of course this was a huge pain for a new beginner without much knowlegde about operating systems to begin with.

He eventually got it all running for me. I got frustrated and went back to Windows for a while, then back and forth a few times. Each time I realized that Ubuntu was much easier to deal with. Excluding ndiswrapper of course. The next version of Ubuntu fixed this issue.

Since then, I have run Ubuntu on that laptop. I rented a tablet laptop for my university for a while and got the stylus to work along with Beryl. With my next laptop, I booted it up to Vista long enough to make sure it worked. Once i knew it worked, I rebooted to an Ubuntu installation CD. This time, my hardware was too new. A proprietary display driver fixed this issue for me. Next version of Ubuntu had the hardware working good. Not all of it yet, but this is still an extremely new laptop.

Now that I have all except about four nit picky things working on this laptop, I'm ready to say that I have it almost perfect. I was complaining about battery life, but I've since left the Compiz stuff that sucks battery power. I even wrote up a few blogs about my battery saving methods. http://www.profarius.com/blog Not advertising, just pointing you in the direction of quick real life battery saving solutions.

In between these laptops, I've converted an entire business network from Windows to Linux. The speed more than quadrupled. The security was infinitetly stronger and more usable. I put in a m0n0wall box for a router. The backup server runs Ubuntu and only has SSH access from other systems that have a shared key set up. The Email server runs on Ubuntu. It is an open source version of Zimbra and running extremely well considering the system specs. The other server is a file server, web server, samba server, music streaming server, and a few other things. The web server is set up for an absolutely insane level of security and usability.

My Linux experience level has grown to the point where I can compile kernel modules, install Gentoo, live on comman line, etc. I consider myself a pretty diverse Linux adminsitrator. There's not a whole lot of things about a server, desktop, or laptop that I haven't dabbled in some. I had previously used a lot of different applications and tried my best to bring them together for a full featured email server, but with Zimbra, my work has gone to administration of the setup.

I run everything except my router on Ubuntu Linux.

Reasons Ubuntu Rocks:
Very fast
Can be very battery efficient
Very secure
Usually works out of the box
High level of support
Everything is free
VirtualBox can run vmware images
VirutalBox runs VM's at nearly native system speed
Very easy to customize
Sane defaults
All of your files are in your folder
All of your settings are exactly where you'de expect them
No registry
No fragmentation
No viruses/spyware/malware/adware/trojans/etc
Can use wine/cedega/cx office to run windows only apps
Many ports of windows apps to Linux (and vice versa)
Can run a VM for anytime that doesn't work
Every application you will want is probably in a repository
Meaning that anything you want to install is a click away
Everything is completely free
Speed doesn't degrade over time
Only need to learn the OS once
Every release only adds features not bloat
You can try it without needing to install it
You can do this as many times as you want
And Many Many More

Reasons Ubuntu Doesn't Rock:
Still new, not all hardware works OTB
You absolutely hate the thought of any of the pros?

mobilediesel, self-employed

I've used Windows since version 3.1. I've tried a couple distributions of Linux off and on over the past few years. The computer was way faster on Linux but I went back to Windows because of the software that didn't yet exist for Linux. Over the past year and a half I've been trying to replace all proprietary software with free and/or open source software.

May of this year (2008) Windows XP pissed me off for the last time by crashing for no good stinking reason. I booted up the Ubuntu LiveCD to verify hardware compatibility. Everything worked so I rebooted and told the installer to use the whole drive. Windows XP is gone now and my computer feels almost twice as fast now! In June I installed Xubuntu to replace Ubuntu for the lighter weight XFCE desktop. Microsoft will never get another penny from me!

Pedro Mendes, Student

I use Windows, but it's always crashing, you need to reboot, a lot of things there are annoying, i was getting fed up with Windows, wanting to try out linux. I had tried live CD of another distro (Kurumin, a distro made by brazilians) but it looked so much like Windows i didn't see a point installing. Years later, i used Ubuntu live cd and liked it, but didn't try much and came back to Windows. A week later, i decide to go through with it when a magazine i sign made a whole edition about OS's and Linux was a big part of it, speacially Ubuntu. After installed, I loved it. Customizable (im already changing it a lot) and fast, it's simple yet complete. Lovin' it! Try it yourself :)

John, Student

I have been using Ubuntu for a little over a year now. After putting together a new system from scratch, I was in need of an operating system, but could not afford to throw down 200 bucks for windows. Initially, I installed Ubuntu because it was free. Over time though, I fell in love with the speed and simplicity of things. Everything is so easy, and if you do run into trouble, there is a huge community of users who are able to help.

Nicholas Nassar, Computer Programming

I was on my Vista Laptop and for no reason at all,CRASH.It crashed out of no where.I turned off the laptop and I turned it back on.After the Vista Start Screen I had a black screen and the laptop was still on.I got one of my Ubuntu Install CDS And I started it up. I got my wireless working after a few days. Now I have a very fast computer with no crashing.

Mindless_Cow, Full time student

I had been wanting to try something other than windows for some time for obvious reasons. I tried several different distros of Linux but they where all too hard to pick up and understand right away or where really buggy or I didn't like the feel of it. Almost loosing hope of ever giving up windows I heard about an up and coming distro called Ubuntu. I decided to pick it up and I immediately fell in love with it. It was easy unbuggy and I loved the feel and layout of it. I haven't looked back to windows since.

Risto Kallio, System Designer

I have used many different Linux distributions for over ten years, but since 6.06 I haven't touched any other operating systems than Ubuntu and different Windows. I have preferred Linux for many reasons (flexibility and speed of terminal, nearly instant security, open-source software ideology etc.).

April of 2008 I installed Feisty Fawn and had countless issues with compability (mainly with wlan-card and ATI display driver). Even the new ATI drivers didn't help anything and before so good Distribution worked for three boots and on fourth I had to install displaycard modules again. So I did what every resonable guy would do and removed Ubuntu althogeter.

Now I'm running perfectly working and legit Microsoft Windows Vista and I'm almost happy with it. Only lack of good shell is bothering me (but PowerShell gave some comfort and I can deal with it). I'm happy for everyone whos Ubuntu is working because, when it's working Ubuntu is the BEST operating system now available.

viswanathan, (engg) student

Wow this is a cool thing happened to me in all the years my story begins with a little 14 year old boy of discovering whar OS were. In a MS driven India hearing the word linux was almost rare but once when as rare as a diamond in a sand. I saw a redhat version 3 in my friends house it looked different from windows and I didn't know what was that . I asked my friend who had it ( of course an engineering student working on linux to complete his 4th sem portion :D) he said it was linux i asked him could he install it for me all he said was red-hat is pretty simple try for yourself ( he was busy with his exams then ) I deleted my d drive of windows partion and installed red-hat and boom lilo failed to boot ( that was my fault didn't use grub ) 2,3,4,5 time i got it it worked fine but i didn't know what to do coz all I knew was to try installing new windows and play games those days.

My linux was sent into hibernation for quite a few years ( meaning I hardly used it ) and once when elder bro ( now he is Singapore) told me what was piracy and how its affecting our daily routine of comp use i felt there was something wrong in using pirated windows why not opt something for free ! There comes one of the big daddy debian into my life ( I ordered a debian cd they sent me 21 cd's now I realize those cd's are repo's :D ) I was running with a 128 mb ram ( U must have realized how slow it would be :D ) father pulled the plug off linux saying piracy is better than slow system.

everything came into place when my father was given a hp notebook he gave me the old system saying that we will sell it after I break this thing :D But the process of creating a new face for my system using ubuntu is miraculous gosh with 2gb ram and 200 gb hard disk what do u need now I run a home server sharing what ever I need with my friends and the funny part running is an envious father seeing u switch between vista and ubuntu using seamless windows of vbox is priceless

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