Ubuntu

[MrBump]

I'm a techie, out and proud.  I've worked in systems administration, be it desktop support through to third line server support, and more lately IT management, for many, many years.

However, I'm extremely lazy.

My professional role is soon to encompass a little Linux, so I've pushed the latest Linux Ubuntu distribution to my laptop.  It's the Linux distro designed for the fat, lazy Windows administrators, just like me.

But every time I hit ANOTHER problem (something doesn't behave as I want, because there's a dependency that I need to download, which isn't actually compatible with the original thing that I wanted, so go figure...) I just find myself reaching for my XP disk...

I really, REALLY want to love Linux - I'm just not sure I can be arsed...

[_tom_]

I had Ubuntu for about a week. It was ok but I'm far too used to Windows. Nothing else seems right. I hate using cr@ppy "substitute" windows programs such as pidgin etc. Oh and its text rendering is horrible, another major turn-off for me.

I didnt have any problems with Ubuntu on my old dell laptop though, it was a very simple and hassle free install.

[shobet]

Ahhhhh Linux dependency hell, been there, done that, earned the battles scars.

I still think Linux on the desktop has a way to go before they get to anywhere near the Windows or OS X experience for users. It's getting there but the progress is a lot slower than it could be. Ubuntu is one of the nicer ones from what little I've played with it.

I've got racks full of Linux servers in work but they're all running without X11 happily and more importantly they're very stable. If you're going to be supporting Linux on servers I wouldn't bother even configuring them to start in graphical mode. Run level 3 with just a CLI will give you access to all the tools and commands you will need to keep things ship shape.

What are you trying to change that's giving you all the problems?

[Andrew W]

I've loved Unix type operating systems ever since I used IRIX on Silicon Graphics workstations years ago when SGI were the undisputed (and mind blowingly expensive) kings of computer graphics.  I think IRIX is the best OS I've used and I adore the Unix command line setup. 

We use Red Hat at work these days and it's fine but we do have a large tech department keeping it all running smoothly.  I suppose what I'm saying is that I really like the user experience of a shell and a kick-ass OS but I don't like all the configuration nonsense of trying to make it all play nicely so at home I have a Mac which allows me to do whatever I want at a Unix terminal prompt but doesn't require permanent furtling with RPMs and dependency breakages.  For me, Linux, much as I applaud it and want to use it everywhere, just isn't ready for prime time yet.

[MrBump]

I'm not sure of the flavour - my bank is inheriting support for an application that we're porting to our grid environment, and this app needs to run on Linux engines - I suspect that they'll be Red Hat.

Don't need to know anything too technical, but my guys will be providing global first line support.  Need to get familiar with some of the basics...

Although at the moment it's the home based desktop stuff that's getting the better of me!!!

[noodleplugerine]

I had Ubuntu for about a week. It was ok but I'm far too used to Windows. Nothing else seems right. I hate using cr@ppy "substitute" windows programs such as pidgin etc. Oh and its text rendering is horrible, another major turn-off for me.

I didnt have any problems with Ubuntu on my old dell laptop though, it was a very simple and hassle free install.

:s

I use Pidgin in windows - Light, simple, and it has IRC built in. Beats having to use MSN (Sluggish and irritating) And XChat (No complaints) at the same time.