Getting started with Linux (Kubuntu)
I’ve always been a Microsoft Windows user – primarily it was mandated by the corporate world. Recently I decided to use Linux for home laptop and was pleasantly surprised about the switch. Kubuntu 8.04 comes closer (in some cases, even better) to user experience and availability of mature applications to Windows XP (I haven’t used Vista, so can’t comment). It has been about 2 weeks, since I’m using Linux exclusively and I’m happy with it.
Installation was smooth and various configurations also went smooth. However, finding applications that I like for various needs took lot of time – reading and reviewing applications takes time, whatever be the platform.
Below are the applications that I’m using in Kubuntu box.
Web Browsing – I’ve been using FireFox and Opera under Windows. Both of them are available under Linux.
Email – I use GMail as a primary mail agent and hence no need for a client. I tried Evolution and am happy about it. Just to reduce the bandwidth usage, I continue to use gmail. If there is a need to use desktop client (for offline usage), I might give Evolution a try.
RSS Feed Reader: Not found a decent one. On windows used to FeedDemon. In Kubuntu, used Akregator, part of Evolution suite. But am not satisfied with the features of it and still looking around for a desktop offline RSS reader. Currently using Google Reader.
Twitter: I’m not a very aggressive user of Twitter. But I do get a good amount of information from it and I would like to continue to be on Twitter. None of the Linux native applications were good. I’ve installed TwitterDeck using Adobe AIR platform. So far it is pretty good.
Add / Remove Programs: Kubuntu has a nice ‘Adept Installer’, which gives almost similar (read as better) UI than its windows counterpart. If I want a geeky control, I can always use Synaptic Package Manager.
Office: Word and Excel has come to be an important part of business life. I’ve been using Open Office even under windows. So it was easier to adapt to it under Linux. Infact I’ve installed KOffice too, though haven’t started to use it heavily. Open Office seems to be sufficient enough.
Games: I like to take a break sometimes, just to freshen up my mind. I don’t want to think. Just divert the mind – I find ‘Five or More’ to be easy to play with and also not to make me think too much.
Messenger: I used pidgin in Windows and hence migrating was no big deal. It can seamlessly connect with yahoo, Google and msn accounts.
Programming : Having started as a geek’s platform, it is no surprise that Linux comes with plenty of tools for programming – IDEs, Subversion clients, Standalone DBs and so on. Though I’ve passed the programmer stage, I still continue to play with programming – primarily on Python and its various flavors. Python comes pre-installed in Linux. IronPython and Django comes along in the repository. (It was a surprise to find out that IronPython comes installed in a Linux distribution was a surprise). I’ve downloaded web2py and I might give it a shot.
Virtualization: In case you don’t want to part completely with Microsoft Windows and want to still run some of your investements on Windows, you can use VirtualBox (don’t use the one comes in the source repository; download and install from VirtualBox site).
Photography: I have been using Adobe Photoshop Elements. I tried it under Kubuntu with wine. It didn’t work. Not yet comfortable with GIMP. So have installed Elements on Windows with VirtualBox (as a matter of fact, I’m running Windows purely for Elements).
Blogging: I used Microsoft Live Writer under Windows a desktop blogging application. KBlogger is a desktop blogging application for Kubuntu. I’m also testing with ScribeFire, a FireFox plugin. But both are far from a match to MLW.
Personal Finance : I’m don’t keep a strict track of my finances. But KMyMoney seems to be simple and easy to use. It might help me to do so.
Zim Desktop Wiki: Interestingly Kubuntu has other applications. One such is Zim Desktop Wiki. I’m using it to collect all ideas.
What do I need more?
I use Nokia E71 and I haven’t found a tool for desktop integration. If I find one for two way sync for Nokia, then Kubuntu comes as a self-contained installation.
i’ve used red hat briefly and really liked it. there was another linux program uploaded onto my laptop a few years ago~ they were both amazing. Really like portals to other worlds.
I’m going to give kubantu a try now, just to see what it is like. It may be easier for newbies to learn from or to use for their studies or small biz.
Char (PSI Tutor)
21 Dec 08 at 3:01 am
Char: You can use virtualization (VirtualBox is good) to try Ubunutu without disturbing your existing installation. You can use Live CD too.
Joseph Jude
21 Dec 08 at 8:11 pm