Ubuntu

**RickDev** · 12-18-2006, 07:12 PM

Looking to start out playing around with a linux system and came across Ubuntu and wondered if this was the best one to start with? I have been on Windows systems for years and with linux growing in popularity I would like to get some hands on time with a linux based system.

Thanks!

**arochester** · 12-18-2006, 08:29 PM

Yes - if you prefer Gnome. I use Kubuntu which is "Ubuntu" but KDE flavour. If you have Edgy look at the Unofficial Ubuntu 6.10 (Edgy Eft) Starter Guide at http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu_Edgy. If you have Dapper look at the Unofficial Ubuntu 6.06 (Dapper Drake) Starter Guide on http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper

The Ubuntu Forum is a red hot place where experts are waiting to jump on any questions. They move down the page extremely quickly. The Kubuntu Forum is a quieter place.

One of the best things to do, which I have been told off by the purists more than once, is to install Automatix. This is a script which will download and install lots of really useful stuff.

**Compunuts** · 12-19-2006, 03:40 AM

I'd definitely start out with Ubuntu (the current darling of Linux desktop world) if I were you.

I personally prefer Ubuntu over Debian when it comes to desktop.

**RickDev** · 12-19-2006, 01:21 PM

Thanks for the responces. I plan on taking a nice little vacation with the family and then starting the new year looking at the linux platform and looking at areas within my company that would be best suited. Due to other software that is ran inside the company it would not be a switch from windows to linux. But I am sure there are a few areas I could improve on.

**cga** · 12-20-2006, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by RickDev

Thanks for the responces. I plan on taking a nice little vacation with the family and then starting the new year looking at the linux platform and looking at areas within my company that would be best suited. Due to other software that is ran inside the company it would not be a switch from windows to linux. But I am sure there are a few areas I could improve on.

A great use for Linux in a Windows shop is as a utility server (ie file or print). I use a few Linux boxes for this purpose at the school. With Samba configured, you can just map a drive on XP and it is utterly transparent to the users.

**Schotty** · 12-20-2006, 03:51 PM

someone mentioned kubuntu -- yes that is a good distinction, but I reccomend if you are on broadband to get Ubuntu and add KDE if you can. Kubuntu is a wee bit flaky in spots as it is not up to par with the Ubuntu product line. Why? I dunno, I hope to see that change.

**arochester** · 12-20-2006, 06:49 PM

Schotty

As a Kubuntu user I have installed KDE and removed kubuntu-desktop. It ran a little faster, but I didn't like it and had to revert.

If it's "a wee bit flaky in spots" I would be interested to know where. It goes fine for me.

**RickDev** · 12-21-2006, 12:23 AM

Thanks for the info. I had a feeling it would be more used for print/file server and maybe switch my intranet from coldfusion to PHP. Thought right now I connect to a MS SQL Server to tie into another 3rd party application. I thought PHP could connect but have not really researched it.