Adventures in Linux: I can has multiple desktops?!
So I've decided to start a series on Linux. Here's part 1
Seems kinda strange for me to do reviews on desktop environments before going through the mundaneness of actually installing and getting used to Linux. So I'll save that for another time.
Apparently, from what I've seen, there are quite a few desktop environments (desktops). Some of the more popular examples being: GNOME, KDE, and XFCE. Fortunately, I've had the pleasure of experimenting with said environments. Depending on which you install (xubuntu, ubuntu, or kubuntu), you'll get a different default OS.
GNOME
Wiki // OS associated with GNOME
Installing Ubuntu's ab it tricky at first. If you're one of those kind of indecisive people, have someone else in the room with you. What happens is when you download Ubuntu from their website, it's an ISO. That means that it's a disk image. Kinda like a picture of the disk with all the info you need. Burn the ISO to a CD (careful, it's pretty big) The cool thing about this is that they let you test drive the interface before you install it so you can see if it's the right thing for you. When you're ready, installation takes almost no time at all. The only problem I ran into was the partitioning of the disk. Mostly because I've never run into anything like that before but hey, different people, different levels of expertise right?
When you have installed Ubuntu, it automatically pairs you with the classic Mac looking GNOME OS. Their latest version is Hardy Heron so it includes a pretty bird in orange and red on your desktop background and an orange-y color scheme that you can work with after installing.
Takes less than 5 minutes to load and start up. Maybe a minute, two, tops.
It's a little weird seeing a desktop environment so reminiscent of the old Mac OSs. And sure, some things aren't where they used to be for windows users. So it'll take more than 5 seconds to learn how to navigate. Thankfully, everything is practically spelled out for you.
"Applications" hrm. I wonder if there's a correlation between Applications and...oh I don't know...Programs? Why look! There's games and all the other programs! And they've been...GASP...SORTED! Now, you can fix what program goes where in case you don't think Limewire or whatever doesn't go under internet. Worried about an office suite? Put those worries away! OpenOffice is here to save the day! Luckily for the newly converted, the latest version of open office looks pretty similar to the latest version of microsoft word. Some commands may be different but overall, it's the same. On top of that, you can save your documents in any format you like (default: .odt or .ods but you can save it as .doc or .ppt). There's also add/remove. This lets you add a myriad of games and programs to your library and makes it easy to download, view, and install.
"Places" Well if that's not self explanatory, I don't know what is. I'm assuming it's places in your home folder. you know. Documents. Music. Movies. Pictures. Their explorer system is quite nifty, actually. There's a breadcrumbing action going on near the address bar so you can see what folders are before the folder you're in. You can also jump folders just by clicking on it.
"System" You think this has anything to do with how you configure your system? Hahaha. Ok ok I'll stop...
Special effects are there and you can enable or disable them. Such as a disappearing window when you close it or a shrinking look when you minimize. Or even a magnetic, liquid-y window when you're moving it around. Quite cool indeed. the Desktop itself is BARE when you get it with only a link to possibly your home folder. If Even that. Sometimes there's a trash bin. But it leaves the desktop free from distractions for when you're oh...say...working on a term paper...Ahem. working on a school project and need a break? Instead of playing "Click 'em" with your working windows, there's a whole 'nother desktop for you to fire up your games! And it's accessible in two ways: Either clicking the desktop thing on the bottom of the screen OR using the scroll wheel of your mouse. Pretty cool, huh?
Gotta say though,, with all the cool things, there are some things that pissed me off. Such as the "system beep." Windows Users, we've been abused by the system beep and have learned that the end of the world is right around the corner when we hear the dreaded system beep. So in Linux world, when a minor error (i.e. hitting backspace when it can't backspace no mo') causes the computer to system, we jump out of our skin and start panicking. However, this heart attack can either be gotten used to or disabled alltogether. Simple as that.
It used to bug up a bit when I first got it. Just keep up to date with their updates (like Windows) and you'll be fine. It's like meeting a new person. Your learn each other's little quirks.
If it freezes up, I've found their ctrl+alt+del. >=) Alt+prt sc+ type out reisub
Overall, it's a very clean and very easy to use system once you get used to it. I suppose the transition is similar when moving to any new OS. So if you'd like something that's functional and is bare knuckles, go for Ubuntu with GNOME.
Seems kinda strange for me to do reviews on desktop environments before going through the mundaneness of actually installing and getting used to Linux. So I'll save that for another time.
Apparently, from what I've seen, there are quite a few desktop environments (desktops). Some of the more popular examples being: GNOME, KDE, and XFCE. Fortunately, I've had the pleasure of experimenting with said environments. Depending on which you install (xubuntu, ubuntu, or kubuntu), you'll get a different default OS.
GNOME
Wiki // OS associated with GNOME
Installing Ubuntu's ab it tricky at first. If you're one of those kind of indecisive people, have someone else in the room with you. What happens is when you download Ubuntu from their website, it's an ISO. That means that it's a disk image. Kinda like a picture of the disk with all the info you need. Burn the ISO to a CD (careful, it's pretty big) The cool thing about this is that they let you test drive the interface before you install it so you can see if it's the right thing for you. When you're ready, installation takes almost no time at all. The only problem I ran into was the partitioning of the disk. Mostly because I've never run into anything like that before but hey, different people, different levels of expertise right?
When you have installed Ubuntu, it automatically pairs you with the classic Mac looking GNOME OS. Their latest version is Hardy Heron so it includes a pretty bird in orange and red on your desktop background and an orange-y color scheme that you can work with after installing.
Takes less than 5 minutes to load and start up. Maybe a minute, two, tops.
It's a little weird seeing a desktop environment so reminiscent of the old Mac OSs. And sure, some things aren't where they used to be for windows users. So it'll take more than 5 seconds to learn how to navigate. Thankfully, everything is practically spelled out for you.
"Applications" hrm. I wonder if there's a correlation between Applications and...oh I don't know...Programs? Why look! There's games and all the other programs! And they've been...GASP...SORTED! Now, you can fix what program goes where in case you don't think Limewire or whatever doesn't go under internet. Worried about an office suite? Put those worries away! OpenOffice is here to save the day! Luckily for the newly converted, the latest version of open office looks pretty similar to the latest version of microsoft word. Some commands may be different but overall, it's the same. On top of that, you can save your documents in any format you like (default: .odt or .ods but you can save it as .doc or .ppt). There's also add/remove. This lets you add a myriad of games and programs to your library and makes it easy to download, view, and install.
"Places" Well if that's not self explanatory, I don't know what is. I'm assuming it's places in your home folder. you know. Documents. Music. Movies. Pictures. Their explorer system is quite nifty, actually. There's a breadcrumbing action going on near the address bar so you can see what folders are before the folder you're in. You can also jump folders just by clicking on it.
"System" You think this has anything to do with how you configure your system? Hahaha. Ok ok I'll stop...
Special effects are there and you can enable or disable them. Such as a disappearing window when you close it or a shrinking look when you minimize. Or even a magnetic, liquid-y window when you're moving it around. Quite cool indeed. the Desktop itself is BARE when you get it with only a link to possibly your home folder. If Even that. Sometimes there's a trash bin. But it leaves the desktop free from distractions for when you're oh...say...working on a term paper...Ahem. working on a school project and need a break? Instead of playing "Click 'em" with your working windows, there's a whole 'nother desktop for you to fire up your games! And it's accessible in two ways: Either clicking the desktop thing on the bottom of the screen OR using the scroll wheel of your mouse. Pretty cool, huh?
Gotta say though,, with all the cool things, there are some things that pissed me off. Such as the "system beep." Windows Users, we've been abused by the system beep and have learned that the end of the world is right around the corner when we hear the dreaded system beep. So in Linux world, when a minor error (i.e. hitting backspace when it can't backspace no mo') causes the computer to system, we jump out of our skin and start panicking. However, this heart attack can either be gotten used to or disabled alltogether. Simple as that.
It used to bug up a bit when I first got it. Just keep up to date with their updates (like Windows) and you'll be fine. It's like meeting a new person. Your learn each other's little quirks.
If it freezes up, I've found their ctrl+alt+del. >=) Alt+prt sc+ type out reisub
Overall, it's a very clean and very easy to use system once you get used to it. I suppose the transition is similar when moving to any new OS. So if you'd like something that's functional and is bare knuckles, go for Ubuntu with GNOME.