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Related articles:Linux or windows: a decision based on cost, security, convenience, stability, innovation or religion? Or am I just stuck with Windows?

I have previously written extensively about the use of Linux on the desktop. I have not made the switch with my laptop. I use Ubuntu Linux Linux and “Suse Linux on a second computer and have been experimenting with them for about a year.

The primary reason I have not switched are:

• Skype for Linux does not support video calls
• I use a little program called Syncback extensively and I haven’t found a Linux equivalent
• lack of ability to synchronise with my Windows Mobile phone
• my email rules automatically filtering large amounts email into separate folders. I would need to reestablish this on my new computer.
• not enough time to make the switch

I outlined the primary reasons to switch to Linux in Linux or windows: a decision based on cost, security, convenience, stability, innovation or religion? Or am I just stuck with Windows? . I decided I would switch to Linux eventually.

I had planned to switch to Ubuntu Linux when the next version is released on 19th April 2007. I assumed that some of the problems that I had with Ubuntu Linux at home would be fixed by then. However, I read the 30 days of Ubuntu article and thought I would commit to it for 30 days.In addition to the reasons outlined in this previous article, I will try to switch to Linux now for the following reasons:

• better security, better performance and I do not need to incur the expense of buying new computers
• I believe that Ubuntu is equal to Windows Vista and will surpass Vista within 12 months
• Unworkable product activation: “Microsoft, in possibly the most shortsighted move in the company’s history, decided to lock Vista down to the first PC it is installed to and not allow you to move it legally. If you call it up, whine and lie, you can socially engineer a few reactivations, but technically this is a license violation. I won’t do that.”
• Digital Rights Management is becoming aggressive. It has been predicted that a future Windows update may lock a person out of their entire media library (I am trying to find original reference). The computer should serve it users. The legal rights of copy right holders should be respected. However, emerging approaches compromise the users ability to use their own PC or play their media on multiple devices.
• a colleague told me that his Windows XP Thinkpad had been infected by a root kit. The machine had been with the technicians for a week and had no way of confirming the machine was no longer infected. These types of infection are becoming common. If I am going to lose a week, I will devote it to switching to the Linux desktop.
• My Windows XP laptop is slowly grinding to a halt. It can only execute a single task. If it is downloading email, it is extremely slow to do anything else. In a few trials of Evolution (the Linux equivalent to Outlook), Evolution was able to multi-task. It could download emails, learn about spam. move emails, and it was still responsive. It seemed to queue up the requested tasks, and execute in the background, allowing uninterrupted use.
• My laptop has 384mb RAM. After switching it on, it uses this RAM and has a 300mb swap file. I have not loaded anything and it is using 700mb of memory. My Ubuntu machine uses 120mb of memory after being switched on. Please read Hardware wars for a quality analysis. Clearly, I need to reformat Windows and reinstall everything. I may as well switch to Linux.
• it is easier to get Windows applications to run on Linux (see The easy, Wine way to run Windows apps on Linux).
• the irrestible opportunity of being able to receive the new software and functionality every day. The collective innovation of a community can be delivered immediately. I do not have to go to a shop and buy software, or wait for the next release of windows. Ubuntu releases a new version every six months and all upgrades to software on your computer is checked daily. The world had to wait 5-6 years for Windows Vista. Although, typically Microsoft should release a new version every 2-3 years.

Historically, I preferred “Suse Linux Linux. Primarily, because I could get Samba (local network file sharing) working. I could not get Samba working with Ubuntu Linux either. However, Ubuntu Linux is rapidly improving, has more momentum, more community support and it follows the true spirit of “free software”. This is as much a reflection of :getautomatix: as it is of Ubuntu. Ubuntu and :getautomatix: provide uncompromised access to the collective innovation of the open source community. Other “Open source” Linux distributions provide a free version, but only provide all functionality in an “enterprise” or “corporate” edition.
The following articles provide an insight into Ubuntu Linux.

• The Perfect Desktop - Part 3: Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eftm Howtoforge.net, 28th February 2007
• 30 days of Ubuntu Linux, 5th March 2007
• A Vista vs. Linux matchup Part 1 to 6, January to April 2007

The articles assess whether Ubuntu is a viable alternative to Linux. They conclude that Ubuntu Linux is equivalent and probably better than Windows Vista. There are many screenshots which can give you an insight into the product if you have never seen it before. I recommend you read these articles in detail.

I decided that I would also use Ubuntu for 30 days. If I was committed then I would be forced to solve problems preventing me from switching. I will then come back and write about my experiences. I will only document experiences beyond those contained in the articles above. Please read the articles above thoroughly (if this topic interests you).

DAILY JOURNAL (entries added as progress is made)

12th March 2007
Installed Kubuntu (easy). Installed Automatix and used it to transform the installed version of Ubuntu into a powerful desktop. See the articles above for more information on Automatix.

Began research into migrating from Microsoft Outlook to Evolution. I seriously considered using Ubuntu (Gnome desktop), but ultimately decided on Kubuntu (KDE desktop) for a number of reasons. Basically, KDE has more options and I like the complexity. The simplicity of Gnome is likely to appeal to other users. My USB devices (Plantronics headset, K1000A USB handset would not work with Skype for Linux (or any other Linux VOIP software). I have never been able to get Samba (local network file sharing) working. This is a persistent and common problem. I was unable to install Firefox extensions. I could not get Ekiga to work with Voipstunt. On this basis alone, I seriously considered abandoning the project. By the end of day, I had a Kubuntu screen working (see screenshot below). It easily rivals Windows Vista. I have placed all my applications in the top left. I have multiple screens that are managed top centre. My “System tray” is top right. My common locations are bottom left. I can control music in the bottom right. I also managed to do at least six hours of real work today.

14th March 2007: The most recent version of Kubuntu Linux includes Virtualbox (a virtualisation technology). This version appeared (after an update) in my version of Automatix. I loaded Windows XP into a virtual machine. It runs faster in a virtual machine, that the actual machine. However, Iwhen I shut down the Windows XP machine, Kubuntu Linux crashed. I also tried to set up a virtual machine with Ubuntu server 6.10. This would be very useful for normal people. I’ll explain why in another article. Unfortunately, it also came up with errors immediately after installation.
I have not found a way to migrate Outlook data to Kubuntu Linux. I did discover that the next version of Kubuntu Linux has a migration assistant. This is an essential tool to make it easy to move from “Windows to Kubuntu Linux. I will download a prototype and see if I can use it. Otherwise, I may wait for the next release.

15th March 2007: I have suspended my efforts to migrate my work computer to Kubuntu. The promises of the next release make it more productive to wait one month. A migration assistant will be made available with the next version of Kubuntu Linux on 19th April 2007. Rather than needing to commit to 30 days to get everything working, I am hoping I can spend three days - installing Kubuntu Linux, running the migration wizard and laying out my desktop (with everything working). I can now focus full-time on my day job. I will write a 3 days of Ubuntu article in late April 2007.