Apple evil too? Review of Ubuntu 11.4 Linux

We've all know that Microsoft Windows is an inferior product as an OS that doesn't stand up to macs or linux and that their only reason for still being business if from the residual effect of the 90's as everyone is super familiar with their OS and is used in most standard offices. But can the same be said perhaps about Macs?

I recently got a busted up laptop that had been running windows for about 2 years and needed a hard disk changed. I had my local computer fix it shot repair it and now just needed an operating system. A basement style hacker friend of mine recommended that I put Linux on it as its "a great OS to put on an old piece of sh(BBEEEP) computer" - to quote his words.

So I went to their website and downloaded the latest version of Ubunty, 11.4

After downloading the iso, I burnt it to a disk and then put the disk into the laptop, started it up. It installed pretty quickly and seemed to go without a hitch. The slide show that proceeded as the OS was loading onto the system mentioned that their is also a video editing tool that is now standard with Ubuntu just like GIMP is. I haven't checked it out yet but will certainly also review that after sampling.

Onwards with my Ubuntu 11.4 experience: The OS is lightning fast, which I obviously like. The whole system, however, is set up completely differently from anything I have seen before. It took me a little while to figure out how it all worked, but I must say that it is much more organized than a slob like me is used to. Its super fast, and multi-tasks very effectively.

Why is Ubuntu free? Why does Microsoft charge for their freezing-up software that barely works and Ubuntu doesn't cost? We all know the tale of how Linux is free and all, but MACs are also Linux based but are closed and only work with their own hardware. I dare to say that Linux Ubuntu 11.4 might not only be better than windows, but might even outshine MAC's in some areas of the market.

Problems with Ubuntu 11.4
I found a few issues after installing Ubuntu that might just be hardware issues on this old laptop, but here they are:
Had an issue connecting certain USB devices. I connected the mouse and had no problems, and connected a digital camera and had no problems, but then when I tried connected a cellular modem or my MP5 player, it would just not show them connected to the system. The best I could muster out of that USB cord was a power-charge to those devices, but unable to read them.

Overall I recommend Ubuntu for anyone that has an old computer or laptop that is just too painful to use windows on. As an alternative to windows that is free and that makes old PC's run ever-so-sweet, I highly recommend it. And quit using those crappy microsoft windows!

Bill Gates' Microsoft iPad - Cartoon Maze

Editoral Cartoon Maze in Larger and Printable Format

Can't solve the maze? Click here for the maze solution
Editorial Cartoon Maze of Bill Gates telling his team of monkeys to make a microsoft version of the iPad.

I drew this cartoon in April of 2010, when the ipad was just coming out. It hilarious how now a year and half later (what took them so long) we actually do have some Microsoft tablets coming out and they indeed suck! I am no prophet, this was a no brainer prediction.

Microsoft proves its part of conspiracy theory.

I have a friend who claims Microsoft makes their software bad so that they can sell you their updates. I always thought he was a quack, till I came across this article.

Microsoft debuts 'fix it' program

Many PC problems can be very frustrating to find and fix

Microsoft has launched "Fix It" software that keeps an eye on a PC and automatically repairs common faults.

The software basically adds the automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7 to older versions of Microsoft's operating system.

The software, currently available as a trial or beta version, is intended for users of Windows XP and Vista.

The package also tries to anticipate how security updates will affect a PC before they are installed.

Bug watch

Once installed, the software gets updates about known issues with Windows or any connected devices, and regularly checks to see if a host machine has fallen victim. Once fixes become available it will tell users they are ready or attempt to apply them.

The software has onboard fixes for about 300 of the most widely encountered problems that stop Windows working as it should.

The software also maintains a list of the hardware and software on a machine so if the automatic fix does not solve a problem, it will be able to help users supply detailed information to Microsoft's support staff about what has gone wrong.

Those signing up and downloading the Fix It software can use it on several different machines.

The free software can be downloaded from Microsoft's support pages. Windows XP users wanting to use it must have Service Pack 3 for the operating system installed.

The Fix It service began in late 2008, when Microsoft began using the logo to highlight automatic fixes on its support pages that dealt with very common problems.

Anyone clicking on the logo kicked off a download that tried to fix that problem automatically.

Microsoft, like many other software firms, has built a vast database of faults and problems as technology built into Windows reports back about crashes and other bugs that machines encounter.

The source for this article can be found here