Calling Linux/Ubuntu users

Norman_Castle

I installed Linux mint a few years ago as XP was apparently too old. I've found software is available for almost everything but a lot of it isn't fully functional, feeling like someones project which needs finishing. I've often installed then uninstalled software as its more trouble than its worth.
Web browsers are always fine as are the most widely used software. I've never found photo software or cd ripping software which is as straightforward as it should be often finding unfathomable problems or just seeming illogical. Recently gave up ripping audio from youtube as the files were never right.
My pc is dual booted, xp and linux. Some problems from memory, very slow printer response (5 minutes from pressing print!), no wireless, now working. No sound for two+ years, common problem, fixed itself. Recently needed to update internet radio via pc, wouldn't work. Non of these have these been problems when switching back to xp.
Recently had speed problems. BT wholesale speed checker was measuring speed differently on linux than xp.

I'll stick with linux because its noticeably quicker for browsing on my old pc but I keep xp installed because I know I'll need it.

Apparently antivirus isn't needed, security is covered by regular updates. Happy to be corrected.

Installing as dual boot is easy but removing it is apparently difficult.

googler

A good dozen or so with lots of info; much appreciated.

that

How about putting on linux then installing VirtualBox for windows o/s - just in case you really need an app?

Work-wise we are very reliant on windows, but I can also envisage myself in the future moving away permanently from MS, rather than now just having a separate Linux laptop that get used every month or so

esuhl

Linux is amazing. For me, the best things about it (compared to Windows) are:

1. You can type a single command to upgrade EVERYTHING -- the OS and all your installed applications!
2. It's so much easier to maintain. There's no registry, and applications and config files are installed to predictable locations.
3. You don't need an antivirus or anti-malware software.
4. It runs so much faster.
5. It's unbelievably customisable. You can get Linux to work exactly as you want.

Due to the last point, there are a lot of differences between each of the many distributions available.

It took me a while to find a distro that I could wrap my head round. So it's well worth looking at distros other than Ubuntu, and maybe trying out a few to see which ones you like.

The only things you'll miss from Windows are things like MS Office, and the latest games... and maybe iTunes... And EAC is so good, I'm not sure if it can be matched, but rubyripper sounds promising.

There's are so many alternatives to most of the software you need, but here are just a few suggestions:

Web Browser(s)

Firefox
Chrome
Chromium
Konqueror
Opera
SeaMonkey
Lynx ;-)

PDF reader

Firefox
Evince
More here: https://www.tecmint.com/linux-pdf-viewers-and-readers-tools/

Malwarebytes, McAffee Security Scanner

(Not required)

Disk Diagnostic tools

fsck
badblocks
smartctl
See: https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/37659/the-beginners-guide-to-linux-disk-utilities/

GNU Backgammon

gnubg
kbackgammon

Photo Editors

LightZone
GIMP
Darktable
UFRaw
Inkscape
Pinta

Word Processors (Word and Libre Office)

LibreOffice Writer
Abiword
Calligra Words

Spreadsheet

LibreOffice Calc
Calligra Sheets
Gnumeric

Music file tagger (mp3tag)

puddletag
mp3info
EasyTAG
MusicBrainzPicard
kid3
Coquillo
Ex Falso
Thunar Media Tags Plugin (for Thunar filemanager)

CD ripper (EAC)

rubyripper
Asunder
Audex
fre:ac
Goobox
Grip
ripperX
XCFA

DVD player (Cyberlink PowerDVD)

VLC
(And sooo many other media players to choose from)

Video player (quicktime, Win Media Player)

VLC
(also many others)

Video editor (Win Movie Maker)

Kdenlive
OpenShot
Pitivi
Flowblade
KDEnlive
Blender
Shotcut
Lightworks
LiVES

Music editors/players (foobar, Audacity)

Audacity
Goggles Music Manager
VLC
Sweep

iTunes

Banshee
iTunes running via PlayOnLinux (based on WINE)

Logitech Media Server (to control Squeezebox Touch music player)

(Just use the Linux version available from Logitech)

CPU & Fan Speed monitors

lm-sensors

CD & DVD burning tools

mkisofs
cdrecord
cdrao
BashBurn
K3b
Xfburn
isomaster

keith969

esuhl wrote: »

Linux is amazing. For me, the best things about it (compared to Windows) are:

1. It's so much easier to maintain. There's no registry, and applications and config files are installed to predictable locations.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this claim. As a disclaimer, I use Windows, Linux (various versions of Ubuntu and CentOS running under VMWare) and OSX. And I use them every day for work but also privately.

Linux is constantly changing, so the cmd line stuff you learn with one version can suddenly stop working with an upgrade (as I found from Ubuntu 17 to 18 migration). and when it comes to graphics - well don't expect your latest graphics card to have drivers available.

Windows might have many faults, but the everyday apps I use consistently work better. Mac OSX is the clear winner for usability, mainly due to the very limited and controlled Apple ecosystem. Linux comes a very distant third.

boliston

i think linux is good for people who like being involved with the running of their computer and windows/apple best for people with no interest in computers - a bit like enjoying cooking from fresh ingredients vs the convenience of a microwavable ready meal

Norman_Castle

As above, if you think a gnome environment is a garden with little figures in it you will struggle at times with Linux.

"There's no registry, and applications and config files are installed to predictable locations."

Possibly not as predictable as you think.

debitcardmayhem

Oh I forgot if you have Windows 10 then read this https://www.howtogeek.com/265900/everything-you-can-do-with-windows-10s-new-bash-shell/


Oh and then also look at learning to use Powershell.

Perhaps the worlds will collide

esuhl

keith969 wrote: »

Sorry, but I have to disagree with this claim. As a disclaimer, I use Windows, Linux (various versions of Ubuntu and CentOS running under VMWare) and OSX. And I use them every day for work but also privately.

Linux is constantly changing, so the cmd line stuff you learn with one version can suddenly stop working with an upgrade (as I found from Ubuntu 17 to 18 migration)

That's one reason I never liked Ubuntu. It's way too bloated and complicated, and tries to be too "clever", doing things automatically, and obfuscating the inner-workings of the OS from you.

But you need to check release notes before upgrades to see what has changed. If "cmd line stuff" stops working, you can usually just reinstall the removed application if the new app doesn't do what you want.

Arch Linux is fast and lightweight, has great documentation, and it's easy to set it up however you like. You pretty much start with a blank canvas and install whatever you need.

Maybe there's a distro that would "click" with you...?

keith969 wrote: »

Mac OSX is the clear winner for usability, mainly due to the very limited and controlled Apple ecosystem. Linux comes a very distant third.

If a "very limited and controlled ecosystem" are positive points for you, no wonder you don't like GNU/Linux -- it's the complete opposite!

For me, that's a good thing! There's so many different ways to configure your system, an endless number of applications, and more power and possibilities.

Savvy_Sue

OP, it might be worth seeing if there is a local Linux User Group, our area has monthly meetups and they can be helpful.

don't consider if it you like to mail-merge ...