This is Part 10 of a ten-part review of Ubuntu Linux. The series is designed to give you a rough idea what it's like to try Linux. It's not a how-to, and it's not a blow-by-blow recount of my experience. For your convenience, links for each part of this series are located at the end of the article.
Now that I've carried this evaluation series as far as I possibly could (… is there anyone still reading this??) let me summarize my experience. I'm going to start by saying that I'm still using Linux. In fact, I've upgraded to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. (LTS stands for long-term-support.) I guess, to some extent, that makes me a Linux convert. I want to clarify though, that I will not be ditching Windows.
There are a few reasons that I'm not
ditching Windows... I need to know it for my job. There will be
times when I need the interoperability of MS Office, and the fact is,
I just like Windows. With that said though, I also like
Ubuntu Linux... that's why I'm still using it, even after I've
finished my evaluation. I'm still writing this review from
LibreOffice.
I want to also re-iterate that Ubuntu
Linux is not crash-proof, and it's not for the feint of heart.
Ubuntu Linux 12.04LTS is a very mature, well-designed, user-friendly
operating system. But anyone who tells you that it can't crash is
smoking crack. Linux is not for the feint of heart. I've learned a
lot during these past couple of months, but there's no doubt that I'm
still a Linux neophyte. If cost or the desire to learn is your
primary reason for choosing an operating system, then Linux is a
great possibility. But if you want better support and/or greater
interoperability with others, specifically in a workplace
environment, then I'd stick with Windows.
Finally, I want to re-iterate that
Linux is a fragmented operating system. This means that, while
Ubuntu Linux was great for me, there are other possibilities out
there. Don't let my narrow review and experience completely
determine whether or not you try Linux.
P.S. Oh, Holy shizzle!! I just figured
out the printer problem... it boiled down to this... when the printer
auto-discovery process happened, it found a printer with a crazy
name... BWDXXXXXXXX (whatever). For some reason, I decided to give
this another try... okay, not “whatever reason,” the old printer
died on me, and I bought a new one. I ran the install process –
again – and it choked – again. But I got this wild hair, and
substituted BWDXXXXXXX (or whatever it was) with the IP address of
the printer. Lo and behold, the shizzle worked!! One less complaint
about Linux... or not. I figured the issue out – on my own – but
this was because I have a lot of experience with computers, and
decided to try to carry some of my Windows knowledge over to Linux.
For clarification, I spent a LOT of time trying to find the answer.
At NO point in time, on NONE of the plethora of forums I caroused,
did I EVER find this recommendation. Funny thing is, it's SO simple.
This should be an early troubleshooting recommendation.
Part I, The Grand Experiment
Part II, So Many Flavors
Part III, I'm Kind of Slow to Commit
Part IV, ASmall, Short-Term Commitment
Part V, Diving Below the Surface
Part VI, A Different Animal
Part VII, Okay, It's Pretty, but What Can it Do?
Part VIII, Okay, I'm Committed, But It's Not all Puppies and Rainbows
Part IX, Unity
Part X, Parting Words
Part I, The Grand Experiment
Part II, So Many Flavors
Part III, I'm Kind of Slow to Commit
Part IV, ASmall, Short-Term Commitment
Part V, Diving Below the Surface
Part VI, A Different Animal
Part VII, Okay, It's Pretty, but What Can it Do?
Part VIII, Okay, I'm Committed, But It's Not all Puppies and Rainbows
Part IX, Unity
Part X, Parting Words