I'm a Mac, I'm a PC, and I'm an Ubuntu

I'm a Mac, I'm a PC, and I'm an Ubuntu?
by: Michael Kudela
Instructional Designer - IDEAL, BGSU

I have never been much of a fan of Windows and PCs. While I prefer to work on a Mac, I have no trouble switching between Windows and Mac OS. I know many people that have only used PCs and are curious about switching to Mac, but are often deterred by the cost. Mac OS will only run on a Mac computer; and Mac computers are not cheap. Switching operating systems will require you to purchase new software that is compatible with your new system. I know the school has some great discounts on software, and the University pays for the software I use at work, but trying to keep up with everything at home is a huge yearly expense. The cost for simple Mac tools, like iLife and iWork aren't so bad, but then you add in Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Microsoft Office and the price starts to catch up. Also, If you don't upgrade, then you run the risk of being left behind by new features or not being able to open a file.

So, the situation looks dim if you are thinking about switching to a new operating system. Unless you are thinking about moving to an open source alternative like Ubuntu.

Ubuntu (ùbúntú/OO-BOON-TOO) is a predominantly desktop-oriented Linux distribution, with a strong focus on usability, regular releases, and ease of installation. Ubuntu is a community developed, linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops and desktops. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

A wide range of free software - there are thousands of software packages in the Ubuntu catalogue that are compatible with their PC or Mac counterparts. So you can open, edit, and share files made on different systems.

OpenOffice - Microsoft Office compatible program that contains a user interface and feature set that is similar to other office suites, and includes all the key desktop applications you need, such as:
- Word Processor - suited for anything from writing a quick letter to producing an entire book.
- Spreadsheet - a tool to calculate, analyze, and present your data in numerical reports or charts.
- Presentation - an easy, and powerful tool for creating effective multimedia presentations.
Evolution - Integrated email and calendaring
Firefox 2.0 - is a powerful, award-winning and standards compliant web browser.
F-spot - enables you to import your photos from your hard drive, camera (including PTP type), or iPod, and supports 16 common file types, including JPEG, GIF, TIFF, RAW. Your photos can be tagged for searching and grouping. Other features include fullscreen and slideshow modes.
Rhythmbox - media player has a number of features that let you easily store, search and browse your music library and listen to Internet radio.
Totem - video player which features a play list, a full-screen mode, seek and volume controls and keyboard navigation.

Ubuntu supports many free software applications. Within the first day of using Ubuntu, I found many programs for learning foreign languages, money management, time management, statistics, flash cards, bibliographies, and many other educational tools.

You'll be able to find help using the desktop browser or online at the Ubuntu forums. If you have a question about using Ubuntu, you can bet someone else has already asked it. Our community has developed a range of documentation that may contain the answer to your question, or give you ideas about where to look.

While I think it is a good idea to learn and stay current with industry standards, like Microsoft Office, I also recognize the need to look for alternatives. Back in 1998, when I was a student, I used the word processing program called Word Perfect. None of my teachers could ever open my documents because they were all using Microsoft Office. I made the switch to Microsoft Office and have regretted it ever since. In my opinion, even the current version of Microsoft Word still lacks compared to Word Perfect 98. I can't tell you how many times Microsoft Word has crashed without any explanation, lost my formatting, or made it difficult to generate a table of contents. But I switched to stay current with everyone else. Now I use Open Office, which is compatible with Microsoft Word, and now I don't have to worry about saving the file every five minutes or reading a 3 page tutorial every time I want to use the Table of Contents feature. The best part about open source software like Open Office, besides being comparable to Microsoft Office, is that Open Office is free. The same can be said about Ubuntu. I never look forward to upgrading my version of Windows. Something seems to break with my computer, the printer stops working, or the new features never really seem to do anything worth while. But with Ubuntu, I am always looking forward to the next release or update. Ubuntu seems to get better with every release.

Ubuntu is available for PC, 64-Bit and Mac architectures. At least 256 MB of RAM is required to run the desktop install CD. Install requires at least 4 GB of disk space. I was surprised by how easy it was to install a duel boot of Ubuntu on my Mac. I installed Boot Camp for Mac, set up a second partition on my hard drive and then used the Ubuntu Live CD to do the rest. If you are unfamiliar with installing a second operating system, Ubuntu.com has many resources to help you with the process. I highly recommend breaking the mold and using Ubuntu. Take a chance and get ready to experience a brighter side of computers.