Are There Any Linux Desktop Users Here?

[nChrist]

Brothers and Sisters,

If there are any Linux Desktop users here, I would really like to exchange some information and ask some questions. I'm relatively new to Linux and have been running Linux Ubuntu for about 3 months now.

Love In Christ,
Tom

KEEP LOOKING UP!!

[Rhys]

Tom,
We have three operational computers - my main desktop (Dell Dimension 2300) has XP, my wife's new notebook has Vista, and I have an older Dell L667r with Ubuntu Dapper (6.06?) on it.

I was given the old Dell by my boss in the Spring and put Ubuntu on it to learn Linux. However, we have our daughter and 5 year old grandson living with us and the Dell ended up in his room. He has sort of taken it over so I haven't had much chance to work with it, (besides my not having much time in general).

Right now I am waiting for a CD of the latest version (7.10) to arrive, when I plan to update it. (I have dial-up).

I notice that Vista has borrowed a lot of features from Linux.

[nChrist]

Hello Brother Rhys,

I do have the latest version of Linux Ubuntu, and it's called Gutsy. There's actually multiple versions of Ubuntu Gutsy. I'll see if I can remember them off the top of my head:

Ubuntu - The middle of the road version for folks who have an average machine and want to do a large variety of things with the computer. This is the version I have but I also have nearly all of the Christian programs.

Ubuntu Christian - The same middle of the road version with some extra programs specifically designed for Christians. The extra programs are available separately, so you don't have to get this version to get the Christian programs.

Xubuntu - A streamlined version of Ubuntu for people with limited RAM and weak graphics cards. It actually has some really nice software that makes the best use of computers with limited everything.

Kubuntu - For people who play a lot of games and have high memory and really good graphics cards.

Edubuntu - An educational version mainly for younger folks, but it is beginning to have quite a bit of software for older students.

(Most of the above also have a server version instead of a plain desktop.)

Ubuntu has been so popular and easy for people to use that there are probably several more versions. I was expecting a hard time changing after so many years of using Windows, but things were really much easier than I expected. Ubuntu 7.04 was called Feisty, and Ubuntu 7.10 is called Gutsy. There were dramatic improvements for 7.10, and I think it's much easier to use. The development is so fast that they have new releases scheduled to come out every 6 months.

If I find someone who uses Linux quite a bit, I'd like to find out what their favorite version is and why. Ubuntu is supposed to be the easiest one to use for folks switching from Windows, and I'll probably stick with us because it is excellent. I would be curious about what accessory type programs people like for things like file handling, compression, and maybe some console type programs that automate a few more things. Right now, most of my main programs are almost identical to what I used in Windows (i.e. Firefox, Thunderbird, e-Sword, Open Office Suite, etc.). I have had quite a few new things to learn, and I'm still looking for software in a couple of categories that I'm not real thrilled with the replacements in Linux. However, there are thousands of free programs, so I guess it's a matter of looking at reviews and trying various programs until you find what you like.

If you're getting ready to use Ubuntu on a regular basis, I probably have some things to share with you, and you might have some things to share with me. So, holler when you get to using it on a regular basis, and we'll compare notes if you don't mind.

Love In Christ,
Tom