A month ago I started running Linux on my PC.  Specifically, I’ve been running a free Linux distribution called Ubuntu (wikipedia entry).  Previously I ran Windows XP.

I’ve elected to go with a dual boot system, meaning I can still boot up in Windows if I want.  The dual boot approach is probably the safest way to go for new Ubuntu users, since you retain Windows as a fallback option.

My impressions of Ubuntu:

Ubuntu is faster than Windows.  Booting up is faster, as is shutting down.  Ubuntu installs programs faster.  It updates itself faster.  Programs start up faster and close faster.  The difference in speed is not subtle.  It’s significant enough that when I do have to boot up in Windows, it feels like I’m running an older computer, even though it’s the same physical computer.

Ubuntu isn’t perfect.  Things still freeze up from time to time, though certainly not as often as in Windows.

Ubuntu is generally easier to use.  There’s no objective way to prove this, and I am not suggesting that it’s perfectly easy to make the switch from Windows to Ubuntu.  You do in some cases have to find new software (more on this below) to replace what you used in Windows.  And of course, when you start using any new program, it takes a little time to gain proficiency.  However, I do think that given some hypothetical individual who has no familiarity with either system, that person would most likely find it easier to get started with Ubuntu than with Windows.

Ubuntu is not just for techies, but that said, it’s great for techies.  As a web developer who has long used Linux/Unix for web hosting, it’s nice to have a similar environment on my PC for development and testing.

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Additional notes on making the switch to Ubuntu:

How to migrate your files from Windows to Ubuntu?  You don’t really have to.  In a dual boot system, you can access all your old documents and files on your C drive from Ubuntu.  Just navigate to the /host directory — this directory in Ubuntu represents your C drive in Windows.  You’ll see that all your old files are accessible there even when you boot up in Ubuntu.

As for your Windows programs, it may not be possible* to install all of them in Ubuntu, but you’ll most likely find a free replacement that is as good if not better.  Here are some substitutions I’ve made…

Function: word processing (including .doc files)
Windows: MS Word or google docs
Ubuntu: Libre Office Writer or google docs

Function: image editing (including Photoshop files)
Windows: Photoshop
Ubuntu: Gimp

Function: calendar
Windows: Calendarscope
Ubuntu: Evolution

Function: music library and player
Windows: iTunes
Ubuntu: Banshee

Function: time tracking
Windows: TraxTime
Ubuntu: Hamster

Function: text editor (for programming)
Windows: EditPlus
Ubuntu: Kate

Function: bulk find & replace (often needed for programming projects)
Windows: EditPlus or NoteTab Light
Ubuntu: RegExxer

For email, I used Thunderbird in Windows XP.  I still use Thunderbird in Ubuntu. For a web browser, in Windows I used Chrome most of the time, whereas in Ubuntu I use Firefox most of the time.

Where to find the free programs I mention above, and thousands of others?  You use the Ubuntu Software Centre, built into Ubuntu, to search for them.  For example, my search for “image” turned up 218 results.  As you’d expect, the results consist of a variety of image viewers, organizers, editors, etc.  Most search results include user ratings on a 5-star scale, so you can see whether other users like the program.  From the search results listing, it takes a total of 2 mouse clicks to install a program.  That’s certainly a lot easier than what you do in Windows:

1. search the web for something that performs the desired function
2. in some cases wade through some fake reviews (ads) designed to divert your attention towards a particular product
3. when you find something, you have to try to figure out what the program costs (not always easy) and what the free trial includes
4. download and install… and in most cases repeat all of the above when you’re not satisfied

In Ubuntu, by comparison, the programs are free and are easy to quickly try out.  What if you install something and then decide you don’t like it?  Search for it in the Ubuntu Software Centre and click “remove.”

One recommendation: if you do elect for a dual boot setup, during the install process you’ll be prompted to indicate how much of your free hard drive space to give over to Ubuntu (and thus take away from Windows).  I’d recommend allotting at least 20 gigs for Ubuntu.  This is not something the casual user can easily adjust later on, so you want to get it right the first time.  Also, you don’t want to rob Windows of all its free space, so it would be best if you have around 40-50 gigs free space on your hard drive before you install Ubuntu.  That way you’ll still have 20-30 gigs left for Windows.  Naturally, your storage requirements will vary depending on what kind of work you do.

*Actually, you probably can run all your familiar Windows programs through something called Wine, but I’ve had no need to do that.

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