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.
David Wang, Student
I am a huge fan of open source community drive project and I could not pass an opportunity to try out Ubuntu (apparently the most supported and used linux distro).
I went ahead and deleted the bloated memory hogging Vista and went string to Ubuntu. Have never went back since. Going around to friends place and recommending them to it.
It's fast, reliable and all the drivers are included (provided you have the net)
Alan, Computer guy
We needed a server at work for our Intranet. As we could not justify buying a server just for that, I decided to improvise. I went into the server room and looked around at some of the old computers that we had. In a corner were some old HP Vectras. I grabbed one from the top of the heap, opened it up and inspected it. There was a 128MB stick of RAM, a 20GB hard disk drive and little else.
I downloaded a copy of Ubuntu 6.10 Server, loaded the thing up, installed the LAMP features through SSH from my desktop using Putty. In about a couple of hours I had the intranet up and running. This "server" is now hosting 4 domains, a MySQL database, Apache and PHP all loaded up via the Ubuntu sources. Guess what? The server has been up for 4 months now without even needing a restart! Imagine a Pentium 3 computer with 128MB of RAM hosting our Intranet and the 4 domains!
If anyone is reading this and you feel that you do not have a computer powerful enough to use Ubuntu on, this will put you at ease. Ubuntu rocks, plain and simple. The cost? A couple of hours of my time and Ubuntu which is free! Thanks Mark Shuttleworth. We Ubuntu users owe you more than a debt of gratitude!
Shepherd Nhongo, Systems Engineer
Ubuntu
I am running 100% UBUNTU Desktop & I love it.
Stability Performance Efficiency Effectiveness Desktop
S.P.E.E.D
In a world without walls and fences, Who need windows & gates ?
Shane McEntee, Student
I played around with Ubuntu and switched back and forth between it and Vista but have now gone 100% Ubuntu since the release of 8.04. Its is a lot more customizable and easy on the eye than any other OS. Plus it's 100% free open source software.
VladimirFranciz S. Blando, Linux System Administrator
I'm a huge fan of Linux OS and when Ubuntu came around my enthusiasm towards this great OS becomes even higher. Ubuntu is for newbies and experts alike.
Robert Okadar, Aranea mreže, CEO (Croatia)
As I'm running a business, there are several things to consider when choosing an OS for business, things like maintenance cost, stability, security, portability, software availability, application prices, future upgrades cost and so on. My first choice was Vista, simply because it came with laptops I bought for my company (sounds familiar?). Nice GUI, that was my first impression of it. And that was it – nice GUI. Using Vista for a few days, I was frustrated with the fact that history repeats: every time new Microsoft OS (Operating System) comes out, we must learn how to use it. I was really mad and thinking: 15 years of that was simply enough!
At the same time, by pure coincident, I saw a video "Vista aero vs. Ubuntu compiz". The Ubuntu had me, it was love on the first sight :-) ... I tried live Ubuntu Linux Ultimate Edition CD for amd64 architecture, and it was amazing to see it in action! I was so impressed by the OS, that after using it only for a week, I decided that my future OS of choice is Ubuntu Linux! Since then, I boot Vista only when I must because of my clients – I run all my business on Ubuntu.
Of course, my previous knowledge I got from 15 years administering different Windows OS was helpful, but not to much. You must be strongly aware that Linux is NOT free Windows! Linux is something different, and (by my personal opinion at least) something superior to Windows. While being different, you will need more time to spend learning, but on the long run you will be greatly rewarded, so don't give up!
After using Ubuntu Linux for some time now, I would like to underline some major advantages for those people interested in using Ubuntu Linux for business:
- You learn things once ... no need to learn things over again when new Ubuntu version comes out
- No need to purchase new hardware when new Ubuntu version comes out
- Business owners should always use LTS Ubuntu versions only (Long Term Supported)
- No fee for Ubuntu license or any software that comes with Ubuntu
- It has ability to run Windows software via Wine or vmware (or similar software)
- Excellent network support and amazing server stability
- Very secure OS (firewall, SSH, PGP, VPN)
- Improved and advanced window management with multiple desktops
- Open Office 2.4.1 is compatible with MS Office, and Open Office 3.0 (expected to be released in September 2008) will be compatible with MS Office 2007 format
Good to be aware:
- Multimedia is well supported, but professionals may luck some features/application choice
- Not really a choice for hardcore gamers
- Not suitable if you run your business on specific Windows applications, like Microsoft SQL Server
I would suggest transition to Linux to most self-employed people (this will save you a lot of money!) like lawyers, IT consultants, journalists... You have a secretary/assistant and all she/he must do is typing letters, sending faxes and do internet research for you? Then Ubuntu Linux is an excellent choice!
Of course, all dis/advantages apply for ordinary home user to.
These are my experiences and I don't even think to switch back to Windows. I recommend Ubuntu Linux to almost all my customers and they love it once they learn how to properly use it.
p.s. - In Croatia, we have an old saying: Would you like to ride a donkey again once you tried to ride a horse? :-)
Best regards,
Robert Okadar
CEO
Martijn, chemistry and physics teacher
First I tried it on a regular laptop. Later I bought an Asus EEE (9") with xandros, but quickly replaced it with Ubuntu. A few tweaks and runs perfectly. Now all I've got to do is learn how to use it to its full capabilities. But even as a linux-newbie, its easy to use and install. I could even work on the notebook while I was installing ubuntu..
Shawn, Student, bagboy
So I had this old Windows 98, I tried to upgrade to 2000 with a friends old 2000 disk. It failed miserably. Another friend let me have a Ubuntu disk because my computer had lost it's OS. I never really knew how bad Windows was until I tried Ubuntu. Yeah it took some getting used to, but now it's all I really ever use. Plus, whenever I do have a problem, I go to the internet and don't need to go through a tech support call. Best OS ever. I have it on 3 computers now.
Oh yeah, moving windows is fun now, didn't see that coming.
HiZaM, Student
I started with Ubuntu a year ago, after some time everything was customized to the way i like and everything was as fast as i wanted it to be. it's one of the best OS you can find and the easiest and cheapest one out. try it you'll be satisfied. The things it can do the ways that can be done, its amazing the years that passed without doing it this easier way.
James D. Bartlett, High school student, always looking to learn.
I can't find a single reason why a person should not try Linux. Absolutely none!!! It is a very stable OS backed by a very reliable community that is always there to help you and make sure you get the most out of Linux. The Linux community is all about helping people and learning. Linux is not designed by a group of elite programmers being paid big money to create and sell and OS, the people who help make Linux so great is all the users who work together. Because the Linux community works so hard together they succeed a making such an amazing and reliable OS!!!
Gaurav Galia, Linux Administrator
I am using ubuntu for doing my system administration job.
Along with that I have replaced my home windows XP machine since a long and dont realize why I have used for this much amount of time.
I am really feeling satisfy that I am not paying anymore to anything that I want to do .. even I can do more and more quickly with Ubuntu.
The community is excelent in supporting the newbies as well as professionals to get in to it.
Thanks a lot Canonical for such a wonderfull road ahead.
Oussema Harbi , Computer engeneering student
Well I guess the only think i want to say is :Ubuntu is the linux distribution that will bring all the world out of the proprietary software darkness to the paradise of open source / free software.
It's suitable for students ,young childs -yes my 9 years-old sister uses ubuntu really smoothly -,and even for old people who grew up using Microsoft Windows:the proof my dad ,55 years old is using ubuntu -except for his comptability application at work.
When using Ubuntu ,you just forget about viruses ,and with the huge community all around the world assisting every ubuntu user ,any problem you may experience will be resolved within hours ,you will never find that anywhere else !!
Martin, Telecomm Engineer
I began using Linux a few years ago because I was so frustrated with the performance of my Windows computer. I changed the house computer to Debian Linux , and then more recently to Ubuntu Linux. I was amazed at how easy it was to install Ubuntu. All the family are now familiar with Ubuntu, and can use it for all their computing needs. That's a family of five who can vouch that Ubuntu Linux is a great way to go. And they can do all their school-work and dissertations for a windows centric school.
Nathan, Caterer
After years and years of pirating Windows and all the software necessary to make my computer useful, my conscience and God finally began to nag at me to stop the theft, however necessary.
I had tried Linux years ago (Red Hat, I believe) but found it couldn't do much of anything that I needed my computer to do. So I had stuck with Windows.
When my brother in-law told me about Ubuntu, I downloaded Dapper 6.06 and again was disappointed. But since Edgy 7.04 was also out at this time, I gave that a shot and was blown away.
I went through probably 4 months of pure hell and frustration while I learned about this entirely new form of computing; I had grown up using DOS, Windows 3.1, and so forth, but Linux was a beast I had never learned about.
Looking back, I am actually grateful that I came to Ubuntu in its relative infancy because the bugs and lack of intuitiveness forced me to really delve into the belly of Linux and learn how it works from the inside out.
I'm still quite far from an expert and there are very common *nix subjects that I have yet to find interest in (ssh, bash, developing, etc), but I'm now very much at home with Ubuntu. My mother, my sister, my girlfriend and her two kids all use Ubuntu at home now and no one has missed Windows one bit!
Thank you for letting me share this story :)
Matthew Naab, Student
I have been using Linux on and off for over a year now. I have tried so many distros that i can not remember what they all are. What i do know is that Ubuntu is my favorite by far. It is the nicest that i have found. Right now i have an old compaq desktop that is running Ubuntu server with the gui, and it works great. have not had a single problem yet!!!
Anthony, Student
I have been using Windows for ages, and it just hated me, no matter what I it would give me errors. I re-installed it so many times and it went so slow, booting took about 5 mins. That with 2gb RAM and XP Home. Anyway I heard of Linux. I have slow internet so requested a free CD and it arrived with a collection of stickers. To begin with it was a bit confusing, trying to run binaries without compiling them but once I found the repositories it was so easy and the community is excellent. After installing Compiz, Wine, Emerald and Banshee I have everything I need. OK, some game don't work under wine but the nibbles game installed by default it amazing. We would bring in the live cd and play it during our maths lessons. Anyway. For those of you who like M$ then fair enough. But for those of you who are constantly bugged by errors Ubuntu may save your sanity, as well as your wallet.
Tarun Brari, Final year B.Tech Computer Science Engg. Student
My first experience with Linux was in 2005 (in first year of college) when I got this live CD of Knoppix with a magazine. I booted my computer with it and I was amazed to see that an operating system could run from a CD. Then I downloaded the most common distro at that time (which was recommended to me by my seniors in college) Fedora Core 4. I installed it on to my system but I didn't liked it. Then I went for Mandriva which I again got from CHIP DVD (i'm a subscriber though). It was cool but taxed my system (P4 2.4 Ghz, 256 MB RAM). Then the next month the magazine provided Ubuntu 5.10, I installed it, didn't quite liked it much, removed it and installed SUSE Linux. When Ubuntu 6.06 came, I was stunned to see the marvellous user interface, the gorgeous theme and the live-cum-installation CD. I installed it on the system and never looked back.
Now I've upgraded my system to AMD Athlon X2 4400+, 2GB RAM, 8600 GT & 320GB HDD. I've tri booting of my system with OpenSUSE 11, Ubuntu 8.04 (both in 64-bit) and Windows XP for playing games. As no new game has released I haven't booted into Windows since last 2 months.. Ubuntu rocks.. All hail the Penguin..
Frank Malina, Professional web developer
Ubuntu is my favourite work desktop environment and server arrangement. Installation is a breeze, no maintenance needed and the debian apt-get software packaging system is cunning.
Frank, web developer @ http://vizualbod.com
J. M. Ramirez, Technology Support
I started using Linux way back.....Red Hat 5 days, I think. The first real user friendly I found was Mandrake and ever since I have tested all of the main distros (Suse, OpenSuse, Mandrake, Mandriva, Red Hat, Fedora, Xandros, Linspire, etc). I fell in love for Ubuntu completely. Easy to install, excellent hardware support, easily customizable, tons of software available. These days, all my machines in my home network run Ubuntu or Ubuntu derivates....including my home server
Chris Lucier, Self-Employed Computer Consultant & IT
I first started using Ubuntu by dual-booting it on my XP machine. After using it for a while, I had a few friends try it out for themselves to see if they like it.
I finally made the complete switch to Ubuntu upon the release of Ubuntu 8.04. I currently use an ASUS Eee PC with Ubuntu 8.04 installed. It runs fast, smooth and looks way better than any Windows machine I've ever run.
I've also used OpenSUSE, and a few other Linux distros. I liked each one for various reasons, but Ubuntu is the one I really like the most.
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