(Approx. 831 words)

Why I like the Ubuntu Operating System
By Phil Vogel, Director at Large, The Olympia Microcomputer User Group, Washington 
www.olymug.org
director3(at)olymug.org            

Obtained from APCUG with the author's permission for publication by APCUG member groups.

My interest in alternative operating systems started 20 years ago when I worked for the State of Maryland during a year of computer chaos.  We had a good office system using WordPerfect but some high State official(s) made a decision to go with Microsoft Word.  At our facility WordPerfect was no longer funded and we were no longer able to use it.  Yet our mental facility didn't have the budget to buy all the copies for all of our computer, only a few.

Thus my co-workers and I became interested in alternative sources of software.  One of the writing programs that we used was the predecessor of OpenOffice and not very good.  And because of the high prices charged for an inferior product (Word compared to WordPerfect) at the time, we looked to finding an alternative Operating System to Microsoft products.  I remember investigating Red Hat distribution of Red Hat Linux at the time.  But at the time it was not up to par with Microsoft's Windows 95.

When I joined OMUG, I was delighted to find that there was a Linux SIG.   “Linux” is a term for many operating systems (OS)  using the Linux “kernel” or “heart” or  “engine.”  The kernel “drives” the system like a car engine powers a car.  Conrad Schuler, one of the leaders of the Linux SIG was promoting SUSE, a “distribution” of Linux which originally came from Germany.  Paul Braget, another leader, liked Ubuntu.  When joined, I found I was totally lost.  However, I stuck it out and some of the understanding and data is beginning to stick to the walls of my mind.

I listened, worked on the Linux programs on the computers in the Senior Center and became convinced that I wanted to try it out for myself.  I like laptops.  I can grab a computer and move it to a room or across the country easily.   In this country all computers are Microsoft friendly but only some brands and some models of the other brands such as Dell are Linux-compatible.

I decided after some research to take a chance on a new Toshiba Qosmio.  We had difficulty installing SUSE and because of inexperience it became corrupted.  However, it was easier to install Ubuntu.

“Ubuntu” is a South African word which means, “I am because you are.”  I am writing this article because you are here, OMUG.  I am using Ubuntu because a lot of people around the world contribute to its innovation, maintenance, and security.  By the way, the Toshiba came with Windows Vista Home Edition.   I only use it for QuickBooks; that is, I can boot into Vista when I need to, but use Ubuntu most of the time
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I use Ubuntu to surf the web because it has a very secure hard kernel.  It is almost impossible to attack a Linux based machine because all the software programs are attached to the outside of the kernel.  At most a particular program will become dysfunctional but not the operating system.  For this reason about 90 percent of the servers around the world use Linux based software.  Some servers are so reliable that service is minimal. 

The Linux kernel is simple, clean and fast, allowing me to turn it on and be on the web in a fraction of the time required by my Windows machine.  My web browser is FireFox, an excellent free program.

I am writing this article with OpenOffice because it is another excellent writing program that is on a par with Microsoft Office.  And it is a free program also.  I must admit that Microsoft's “Access” program is superior to OpenOffice's  “Data.”

All the above programs are “open source” which means that you can obtain them for free by a download, or on DVD or CD for a nominal charge.  However, there are also companies that will supply a person with disks, manuals and service contract just like Microsoft.  But everyone is bound by the EULA of the “open source” contract, including companies and also users like me.  For instance anyone who comes up with a change or improvement must make it available to any one else for free.

So this is why I like Ubuntu, FireFox and OpenOffice.   I also use other features such as watching movies, burning DVD's, and WiFi—and they work well.  Now I want to edit and burn a home made  movie.   Plus Ubuntu has an extensive Internet support system.  New programs and updates are coming out all the time.  It is an example of a technology rising up from the grassroots rather than from the top down.

This article has been provided to APCUG by the author solely for publication by APCUG member groups. All other uses require the permission of the author (see e-mail address above).