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Posted on 05/03/2010 11:18:38 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
It seems that every time Ubuntu gets an update there's talk about how the new version will finally usher in the era of user-friendly Linux and turn the open-source operating system (OS) into a serious competitor to OS X and Windows. We've been running the latest version, 10.04 (code-named Lucid Lynx), since it first hit beta in mid-March. While we have a hard time seeing it replace Windows 7 anytime soon, the regular six-month intervals of serious improvements are finally paying off in an arguably consumer-ready OS.
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image at website
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The other major new feature to Lucid Lynx is the "Me Menu," a drop-down in the upper right-hand corner that allows you to change your IM status, post updates to Twitter and Facebook, and manipulate your Ubuntu One account. Ubuntu One debuted in 2009, and gives all users 2GB of free online storage. The cloud-based syncing solution has grown into a seriously high-quality product. You can sync contacts between computers and cell phones (including the iPhone), notes written in the top-notch Tomboy app, Firefox bookmarks and any file or folder on your computer with a simple mouse click. Most impressive, though, is integration with the new Ubuntu One Music Store, accessible form within the Rhythm Box music manager. Any songs purchased are automatically added to your Ubuntu One online storage, meaning your purchases are easily and automatically synced across all your computers. Even better, they can be accessed from any Web browser at the Ubuntu One site.
(Excerpt) Read more at switched.com ...
Seems a bit faster ...
Are they also updating the Netbook Remix?
How about USB wireless adapter support?
Agreed...I installed it on a spare P4 this weekend and have been impressed thus far. Installed quickly, Boots quickly, and even had built in support for my no-name brand wi-fi adapter.
Still running into minor quirks though that would give the average user fits. First app I installed was Galleon for my Tivo. A fairly critical libc++ library was missing from my distro that I had to hunt down just to get the Sun/Oracle Java installer to work.
Probably still not quite ready for the average joe...but getting there.
My best Linux box is down because I pulled the hard drive to help a friend out. Am thinking of trying Ubuntu soon when I reload it. I have been using Redhat with XFCE GUI. Ubuntu comes with option of XFCE and simply love that GUI.
How long have you been using Ubuntu?
Have you ever used XFCE?
I love to read these breathless reports of a “user-friendly Linux”....
We’ve been reading them since, what, the last 10 years?
Here’s the problem: Good GUI design is *hard*. It takes a lot of thought about how people use computers. Most of the people who are involved in Linux development don’t have the time to think hard for a long time.
The way Apple got a clean UI was that they had a UI guy known as “The Tog” (aka Bruce Tognazzini) who would ride herd on app developers. In the very early days of Mac development, if you put out an app on the Mac that had a goofy UI, you might get a call from The Tog, offering to help you smooth it out. It worked, because after awhile, the critical mass of apps that did things “the correct way” became established, which pretty much gave new app developers a big body of examples of how to handle various things.
Linux has no such UI visionary - so you have a bunch of people all riding off in different directions, with X11 and a toolkit in hand. X11 for UI is already bad enough, but without a single look-n-feel for the UI... it will take half of forever to arrive at a truly “user friendly Linux.”
I attended LinuxCon last year, and everyone was touting Linux on the Desktop.....mmmhhhhhh......yeah, right. While i am a huge fan of the -ix systems/OS’s, they aren’t quite ready from Grandma or Grandpa. Don’t really think they will be unless folks can’t afford a commercial OS (wouldn’t be surprised, but then they probably won’t be able to afford electricity either).
The IX’s are better relegated to the back office, where they are reliable, steady, fast and CHEAP. But, maybe one of these days.
Ubuntu has done a good job with their kernel and UI, but i wouldn’t make my father use it just yet.
Works for me, keep the masses out of linux. I don’t want it dumbed down to accommodate lazy users.
My son hasn’t used Windows in 5 years. I used Windows 7 Ultimate, but still have to go to him when I need videos converted quickly (simple command line expression) to Flash and other seemingly mundane tasks that take forever in Windows.
I believe in hardware power./...
No patience with old boxes...
Don’t know,...but would expect so.
They start with Ubuntu and add things ,...including their own Update schemes.
Thanks,...will look at that.
You miss the point, NVDave. Windows and Apple provide a single GUI experience. Linux provides several. KDE, Gnome, etc. You can pick and choose what you want. Sure setting it up might be hard for most people, but if you feel Linux lacks a great desktop experience then create one! Sky is the limit.
On a side note, Ubuntu sucks. It’s Linux for Windows users.
This is an OLD argument. KDE sorta proves the point is incorrect. Android, et al - absolutely buries the argument.
Can we something else now.
Seriously, any even slightly experienced user can pick up a Mac, or Linux box, or Windows 7 box and get work done. They are all THAT SIMILAR.
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