Ubuntu Users' Stories
Below you will find Ubuntu Stories submited by people all around the World. Most of them are in english, but we are also allowing other langauges.
If you want to contribute add your own story, help us to make this page more popular by telling your friends, posting it on your blog, digging it (etc), or contact us at ubuntustory@centrologic.com if you are able to translate it to your native language.
Who is using Ubuntu?
Check out who and why is using Ubuntu Linux. Read the stories below.
Anonymous, web designer
I have used DOS and Windows for about 10 years. After all this time i decided to move to Free and Open Source software.
But changing behaviors is not so easy.
I have looked and tryed many distributions, but none helped me enough, only because of my way to see things.
Then i have found Ubuntu. I think this is the most simple GNU/Linux distrubution, but yet the most powerfull.
I have about a mounth now, since using Ubuntu. I'm using it on my desktop system, but also on my servers. This is the best OS for me.
nasrullah, security officer
I did have an old pc AMD K6 which Windows 98 SE crashed most of the time.Being a great reader of IT Mag I came across an article about Mark Shuttleworth and Ubuntu I ordered for a free installation CD (2004) from that time I am an user of the famous and robust OS Ubuntu......Many thanks to Mark Shuttleworth and Linus Torvald for our freedom.....
Chris, Support Engineer (Mostly Windows Systems).
Ubuntu is great operating system. That's not just because it's well built, stable and well maintained. But because it's supported by an unbelievable community who will stop at nothing to help out users of all levels.
Because of my job, I spend a lot of time using Windows XP/2000/2003 and so know them quite well. It's nice to come home on an evening and power up my Ubuntu laptop safe in the knowledge that I'm not going to have to worry about viruses/spyware and malware.
Ubuntu is a great desktop and server OS. I can testify to both. Download it and give it a go. What's the worst that could happen?
David Pipkin, Web Application Developer
I switched to Ubuntu full-time about a year ago. Previously I was running Windows XP and Ubuntu has blown it away in every respect. I'm still using Windows Vista at work because our network and servers are all Microsoft-based, but I think the company I work for would benefit with a complete upgrade to Ubuntu desktops and servers. The price of {value} alone seems like motivation enough, and the functionality doesn't hurt either. With Ubuntu you also get constant updates and practically no threat of viruses and malware.
If it's visuals you're after, compiz-fusion blows aero and aqua away in my opinion. Ubuntu is actually easier to use than Windows or Mac OS for the common user because it comes pre-installed with most of the applications you will need for everyday computing; and to add new ones is as simple as browsing and clicking. No need to fork out extra cash for Microsoft Office or Apple iWork, OpenOffice is completely compatible and will be available to you the first time you boot Ubuntu.
If you're a developer who is used to Windows and want to become more familiar with Linux, Ubuntu is a good way to go. You can still perform your everyday tasks with ease while you experiment with Linux programming, compiling, and just general functionality as well. And if you're a .NET developer, Mono and MonoDevelop are a perfect open-source solution for you on Ubuntu.
Mike Ness, Sales / Computer Enthusiast
I have a Dell Dimension 8100 that I purchased back in 2000. I came pre-installed with Windows ME which is quite possibly the worst and least supported release from Microsoft. After 7 years of fighting that OS it finally crashed. I ended up wiping the drive and reinstalling ME. Even after the installation the system would only run a couple of hours before it would lock up forcing me to pull the plug to restart the system. I finally got tired of that and looked toward Linux.
I'd been reading about Ubuntu for three or four months but was always hesitant to install it. I finally got up the courage to try the Live CD. I was amazed that everything work immediately. I decided to take the plunge and install it on the HD. I took me two days to prepare the system by doing defrags, back-up's, burning CD's, and just reading everything I could find in case I encountered a problem. My fears were completely unfounded. The install went flawlessly. Within 45 minutes I was up and running.
Ubuntu breathed new life into my old, old computer. The computer seems to have the old snap that it use to have when it was new. It's rock solid stable. I go weeks without having to reboot, and then I'm probably only doing it from force of habit. I've never had the computer lock up or freeze on me yet. With Ubuntu, computing is how I remembered it to be. Fun and interesting.
I'm planing on purchase a new computer within the next few months and Ubuntu will be the only OS installed on that system. I couldn't be happier in having made the switch.
Arno Takuya, Student
To put it simply, Windows really can't compare to Ubuntu. Ubuntu is fast, efficient, and incredibly customizable for those who wish to do so.
Like Martin, I started off with a dual-boot setup, and found that Windows was just being unused.
To those who haven't tried it; you're missing out real bad :)
Semir, Student / English Teacher (EFL)
There was a CD with Ubuntu on it, in a computer magazine. At that time I was using Windows XP (which I think is a very good piece of software). But since I had a slow PC, XP with all the anti virus/firewall and other security software was so slow that it was not easy working with it. An then out of curiosity I took that Ubuntu CD and booted it. I was amazed by the fact that I didn't need any drivers or security software and that I could connect to Internet by making few clicks. To make it short, Ubuntu does what it should do, in a fast, simple, and secure way. And this is what I need.
PS: I must admit that it took me some time to get used to the way Linux functions.
K. Eldridge, Student/Security guard/Freelance Computer Tech
I had heard of Linux years ago, but it wasn't for me then. I had grown up rather literally with Windows, from pure DOS to 3.2, (yes, 3.2) then 98. I was given an old Thinkpad a30 before starting college (after coming out of the Army) and XP did not really run quite right on it. Little too slow for me, so I put Ubuntu 7.10 on, and it even ran compiz pretty smoothly. I was hooked.
I used that little laptop till the system board died. (My little brother is trying to resurrect it)
I duel boot with XP now on a nice Inspiron 1520, and the only thing I boot into XP for is to play games and to watch movies on Netflix. (grr @ Netflix)
Ubuntu is seriously one of the most stable, polished OS I have come across. And no, you do not need a degree to get it working, or to pay for support. The forums are all ya really need.
Josh B., Computer Engineering Student
Ubuntu is single-handedly changing the way we compute again for the first time in ages. It takes stability and simplicity and puts them together to create an operating system that rivals the stability of Mac OS X and far exceeds the graphical sweetness of both Mac OS 10.5.x and Windows Vista with just a little bit of tweaking. The graphical synaptic package manager makes it easy to find and install extensions to Ubuntu, and all of the software is open source (free): you can't beat that. You don't need to be an expert to use it, but all experts use some variation of what Ubuntu uses (Linux/Unix/BSD).
Michael Wright, High School Student
I was first introduced to ubuntu at 6.06 drapper drake. My computer teacher told us about this video he was watching about this new OS and said it was open sorce so I started to download it and it is now my prefered OS.
I crashed my first and second attempts with ubuntu and now 4 years later I am ready to download 8.04 and install it on my new laptop with vista (not me who bought it) and I Am spreading the Ubuntu way all over my small town of 10,000+. I am a Ubuntu man.
Tim K, Computer Work/Media Archiving
I love Ubuntu, fast, and non-demanding, but when you have a fairly good desktop as i do, Ubuntu really flies, still have to use WinXP for many Windows specific things, Windows it good at some thins, but nothing Ubuntu cant meet with some work.
When i use it i have many fewer prolbems, not knowing a lot about Bash, and the terminal makes it a little complicating, but in the best, most educational, and useful way that i know of. nothings perfect, not Windows or Ubuntu. but i know which one i prefer.
Andy , Factory Worker
As a windows user from the outset, I hadn't really looked at OSS. I was aware of it, but every time i had a look it seemed beyond my ability.
Then came live CD's and i tried Knoppix but was not very happy with it. I happened to come across Ubuntu ( 7.04 ) and tried it out and ended up dual booting with xp. Then came the new laptop with the dreaded vista and i wiped it completely and installed 7.04 followed by 7.10.
I was encouraged to try out linux mint and used it exclusively for a few months, but it seemed too easy, almost an xp replacement. Next i downloaded the beta for 8.04 and now have it installed as my only OS.
I love this distro, the security, the ease of use, just everything about it. I have turned into something of an Ubuntu evangelist, recommending it to all and sundry and have installed it for a number of family and friends who all love it too.
I have finally found an OS i enjoy using and the software that is available is amazing. Anyone out there with doubts...if i can do it, anyone can..
Jonas, Student
I decided to join the linux crowd in 2006, when it was clear what "Vista" was going to be like. I wanted to keep my "old" Hardware (A pentium m 1,6 ghz with 2gigs of ram), but I knew that im a person who always wants the newest Software available. Althougt i did use a lot of free software before i didnt think it was going to end well, but i was young and so i tried it out - now im compleatly "clear" of windows and i didnt feel sorry in any way for the swicht.
Mandla , Student
Why I tried ubuntu:
-I use Ubuntu because it is Linux based and i was told that Linux is only for geeks and tech fundi and i wanted to see for myself...
-I can't afford MSwin and Mac
-It has a South African name (which as far as I know has no English equivalent)
-It is sponsored by a South African
I stayed because:
-i like the freedom
-I like people thinking i am smarter than i really am
-I can make it look like MSwin and Mac
-It has a great forum that allows me to be lazy at times
Martin Rosberg, Enterpreneur
I started trying Linux about 1.5 years ago, after a couple of tests with different distributions I downloaded a Feisty live CD and tried it on my laptop. With no programing experience at all it was not so easy to adapt, but I managed to make it work perfectly on my computer and after 6 months of dual booting I found out that I was just booting on Ubuntu.
Since then I changed computers twice, and I only installed Ubuntu on them.
Kate Hudson, Web Designer/Developer
I started using Ubuntu a few years ago because Windows was annoying me with its viruses, adware, spyware, crashes and general sluggishness. I have used Ubuntu almost exclusively ever since. The only reason I keep a Windows partition is to play the Sims 2, which won't run in Wine.
I love the way Ubuntu is so easy to use, there's no worry about viruses, no defragmenting, no reformatting to get rid of unknown junk slowing things down. It just works the way I want it to work.
Chris, Highschool Student
Ubuntu has changed my computer experience for ever. Now I can use my computer for what I want to do and not a big company wants me to do. I've advanced so far into computers just by using Ubuntu. You become more active as a person in the community and discover a whole new family of people that share common interests like you do. Overall Ubuntu is a godsend and I think everyone should try it at least once.
I started using Ubuntu half a year go right after Gutsy Gibbon came out, now I can edit my computer as i wish
Michael, Student
The first Linux distro I discovered was Ubuntu, and I didn't even know what it was, but when I booted it up, I had this great feeling that it would work.
Before I discovered Linux, I had Windows XP on a fairly old computer: 1GHz AMD Duron with 512 MB of memory. It ran pretty well. I was impressed. Too bad it didn't support desktop effects (also known as "Compiz Fusion") because the graphics card was the worst ever! Ubuntu hardly ever crashes, and when it does, it's normally easy to recover. Ctrl-Alt-Backspace restarts the X server (the GUI) so you get back to the login screen.
The community is great :) The Ubuntu Forums are very welcoming and the people there are very kind and helpful. Questions are answered quickly. Much quicker than any Windows one.
The Ubuntu devs have done a great job with the new release "Hardy Heron". Congratulations!
emmerc, Church Pastor / PhD Student
My experience with Ubuntu begins late 2004 when after using Windows for about 14 years I got a blue screen which told me my clone's hard drive was death. I tried to reinstall WinXp SP2 several times only to realize not only my HDD but also my clone's memory had physical damage. I really needed this machine for writing my papers because I was in the middle of my semester (PhD Program). Then a friend of mine spoke me about Ubuntu. I had no money to repair my machine so I took the plunge and I installed Ubuntu 5.04. Few weeks later my laptop's hard drive fail so I did the same: I installed Ubuntu 5.04 in two machines which had broken hard drives and I was able to fully use them at full throttle for six months until I was able to buy the hard drives and memory for the clone and the laptop.
Almost four years later, my clone works in dual boot WinXP/Ubuntu. I need WinXP to run Bible Works 7 and other biblical software I haven't got the way to run properly in Linux. During that time I have share Ubuntu and several of my friend are using Ubuntu in their machines either in dual boot or in exclusive mode.
Ubuntu has made me almost a linux geek. I knew nothing about linux for years ago and nowadays I am able to do almost any kind of ubuntu installation and/or teewk. I really like to play with Ubuntu and I enjoy working in Ubuntu while the windows twist and fly throught my machine's screen. Now I find Windows just boring.
Ubuntu has run so stable in my machine that I even forgot my root password because I have not use it for a long time! Can you image? Anyhow, I like Ubuntu, I enjoy Ubuntu!
Some of my friend are buying brand new machines which come with WinVista and now I am sharing Ubuntu with them! Enjoy it!!!!!!
Alex Shearn, Student
The first time I tried ubuntu was way back in 2005 - I'd just inherited my first laptop, and it was an old Sony Vaio. It was pretty basic - 640Mhz, 256Mb RAM, 10gb HD. My dad (who's an IT teacher) suggested this thing called Linux, so I started some research. I came across Ubuntu as a new and up-and-coming distro, so I downloaded the livecd, and gave it a whirl. Unfortunately, it wouldn't run on my low-spec lappy, so I got some more ram, and finally it installed almost perfectly.
My first release was Breezy Badger, so everything was a bit more complicated than it is now - it took me about 2 weeks to get the wireless card to work! However, the sturdy little laptop served me well for the 3 years until I got my new one just last week.
The first thing I did with that new one was to fire up the new Hardy release, and I was amazed at just how well everything worked out-of-the box. After installing, instead of trying to struggle with my wireless card, I simply clicked a few menu buttons, and poof! It just worked. Thats not to say that the install goes perfectly for everyone, but the forums are so well supported - the community that ubuntu has is just fantastic.
I've sinced moved on to trying archlinux, but I still come to the ubuntu forums for support! The atmosphere (as far as an online forum can have one) is always so supportive and helpful. I seriously recommend trying it out - the live disc won't hurt your windows or mac install at all, and its a great way to get into Linux. Soon you'll be leaving windows behind!
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