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[Linoman]

After been using Windows for years, I must say even after SP1 and upgrading my system. I was incredibly disappointed at the unreliability found in the Windows kernel. Thats why I decided to use Linux out again, I have tried it many times before but I never stuck with it long enough to use it to replace Windows.



I have always preferred Debian based distros' (apt-get anyone) and I was familiar with Ubuntu, thus I took the plunge and decided to install Ubuntu 8.04 (the normal 32 bit version, as I expected to have less hassles with it than the 64bit version.)

Main things I noticed were, with installation one can use the option of Wubi. Which basically installs Ubuntu as a regular piece of software in Windows. The problem with this however is that, due to the fact its just a file it will be prone to fragmentation and access times would be decreased. However if it is a persons first time using Linux/Ubuntu, I would highly recommend it.

Knowing all of this I decided to rather format my PC and install with the traditional method. Installation was easy, took about 15mins (if even that) when my PC restarted I was welcomed by Ubuntu login window.

First thing I did though was enable restricted drivers so that I could use my nvidia card to its full potential. Edited the xconfig file, so that it would display the correct resolution. That was done easily by installing the nvida settings application. (Although I quickly found out it had to be run through the sudo command)

Second thing, I wanted to do was duplicate the audio from my front speakers to the back. Well what a challenge it was, it took me a total of 3 days before I was able to do it. Basically it involved the following steps (I have added it to the article in case anyone else has the same problem)

1) Added this code to the .asoundc "its an improvement from my old file"

pcm.!dmix {
type plug
slave {
pcm surround51
channels 6
}
}
pcm.!default {
type plug
slave.pcm "dmix"
slave.channels 6
route_policy duplicate
}

2) Edited Gstreamer properties and set default to Alsa and not Pulse.

3) In the sound options, I also set Alsa as default for everything.

Blow me it works, I now get my Mp3's played on all my 5.1 speaker setup.

I also decided to theme my Gnome system as I personally do not like the default theme setup. There are fantastic themes available at Gnome Looks. Also enabled desktop effects which surprisingly did not slow down my system as much as Vista's.

I know there are alternatives to using MS Word (I have tried both Abi-Word and Open Office in the past) but I really wanted MS Word and MS Excel installed on my machine. I installed Wine and managed to get MS Word 2000 and MS Excel running perfectly. They might be the old versions but they suit me down to the ground with accomplishing my tasks.

Something I always loved about Open Suse 10.3 was the use of Gnome Slab Menu, I find it very professional looking. I installed it and replaced the regular Ubuntu menu, it makes a huge difference. Makes the startmenu concept very efficient and easy to use.

Followed by that, I installed Amarok (that is such a fantastic player) although if you have a large music collection, it is better to use a mysql database as it does not slow Amarok down. Took me a while to figure out a mysql but once sorted out. Amarok runs like a dream.

Then installed usual stuff, Google Search, Google Earth and of cause Picas; not to forget Amsn, Skype. These applications I feel gives the system a feel of completness. One thing I could not get over, my Firefox Beta 5 browser would not stop crashing. Eventually I decided to install latest version of Flock Browser and it works like a dream.

I think that Linux and Ubuntu are progressing to a point where it is becoming an alternative to Windows. There is so much more you can do. However you need time and patience. However when its all setup, the feeling is rewarding.