[Ad] need a break from coding?
© copyright 14.Jan.2009 by Paul Bradley filed under Ubuntu
[Ad] need a break from coding?
Towards the back end of 2008 I had made the decision to give Linux and in particular Ubuntu a proper evaluation as a desktop OS, with a view to fully migrating my freelance web development business and personal laptop during the first quarter of 2009. While I still have to use Windows for my day job with the NHS; I have progressively gotten frustrated with the amount of time I have to spend on keeping Windows XP free from virus's, spyware and trojans's.
Linux by default is immune to all the Windows based viruses; as it can't run Windows executable files, and at the time of writing this article, there are no Linux viruses in the wild. I also like Linux's default configuration of forcing each user to run with limited rights, which would lesson the impact of any future virus which might be targeted at Linux.
So in November 2008 I download the ISO image for the newly released Ubuntu 8.10, burned the image to a CD and booted the live CD. The seven step installation process was smooth and flawless, and I managed to install Linux as a dual boot configuration, still keeping Windows on a separate partition.
Throughout November and December I found myself booting into Ubuntu more than Windows and really starting to like the experience. The system remained very stable and I spent the two months researching and finding replacement open source software for the Windows software I used to do my work. So far, I have not come across a piece of Windows software that I couldn't find a suitable replacement for.
As I already used FireFox and Openoffice under Windows, the transition was very painless; and after installing the FireFox plugin User Agent Switcher, was able to access all those web sites and services which insist on you using the Windows Internet Explorer web browser.
I have been surprised at how easy Linux has been to pick up, maybe that's because I am a programmer, but after using DOS/Windows for over fifteen years; I thought it would be more of a mind shift than it has been. At the beginning of the year I started playing around with different Ubuntu derived distros, doing full installations and foregoing a dual boot with Windows.
CrunchBang Linux
This lightweight Ubuntu based distribution appeals to the developer in me, I like the clean dark minimal theme that it installs by default, and the use of Openbox as it's window manager ensures it offers a good balance of speed and functionality. CrunchBang Linux is definitely for power users and web developers, and may be my final choice for use within my freelance business.
Linux Mint
Linux Mint's purpose is to produce an elegant, up to date and comfortable GNU/Linux desktop distribution. Mint is also based on Ubuntu which makes it compatible with the Ubuntu software repositories giving Mint users access to a huge collection of packages and software for free. This will probably be my distro of choice for the home computer, which is used by multiple people, not all of which are technology savvy.
I have been very impressed with the whole Linux experience, and will be making a full time switch very soon, there are just a few things I need to research before making the final switch. For example I need to learn how to use Partimage so that I make backup images of the root partition which will save having to re-install after any problems. I also need to get to grips with setting up the /home folder on it's own partition, again to make the backing up my documents and files easier.
Once I have researched these final points, I will be purchasing new hardware from a Ubuntu Hardware Partner; and then it's goodbye Windows for good.
About the Author
Paul Bradley is a VB.NET software developer living and working in Cumbria. He provides PHP & MySQL bespoke development services via his software development company, Carlisle Software Limited.
He has over 20 years programming experience.
