Ubuntu now more popular? Why?
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| robntina Oct 26, 2006 6:41 AM EDT |
someone please explain to me the popularity of Ubuntu. I tried Ubuntu a week and a half ago to "experience" it. It is easy enough to install. All my hardware was detected just fine. It has a nice consistent look (If brown and orange are your favorite colors). The stupid Gnome default file browser settings (the 'spacial' browser mode) has been 'fixed', setting it to 'browser' mode.
Yet, It was very frustrating to use. Sort of like computing with gloves on, or driving a car that limits your top speed to 10mph below the "limit".
It was not fun to use, nor was I able to be very productive with it.
There are, In my opinion, better Linux options.
What am I missing? |
| Sander_Marechal Oct 26, 2006 7:50 AM EDT |
You're missing the fact that you've got quite a bit of Linux experience. Others don't. |
| jdixon Oct 26, 2006 8:38 AM EDT |
> What am I missing? Probably nothing. You're not Ubuntu's target. As an experienced Linux user, who wants to be able to configure their own system, you're probably better off with Debian anyway. |
| tuxchick2 Oct 26, 2006 8:44 AM EDT |
pf, your problems are Gnome, not Ubuntu. Try Kubuntu or Xubuntu. :) Seriously, Ubuntu has a very good marketing campaign, and attractive community values. "Humanity to others" is a welcome message in the rough-n-tumble FOSS world, where survival of the bitchiest is more the norm. And I mean bitchy- some of these self-important prima donnas who look down on everyone else come across exactly like stereotype drag queens. But I digress. New users are invited and made to feel welcome. That's uncommon enough to make Ubuntu stand out. The distribution itself has some rough edges, but they're going in the right direction. I think it's given Linux in general, and Debian in particular, a good shot in the arm. |
| herzeleid Oct 26, 2006 8:56 AM EDT |
I tried ubuntu to get a feel for all the hype - it was OK (shrug) but there's nothing I don't already have in suse. I gather that for debian users the idea of a relatively straightforward install is nothing short of revolutionary. Bottom line, if it attracts converts from the evil empire I'm all for it. |
| gavinb Oct 26, 2006 10:22 AM EDT |
Ubuntu's popularity is well deserved. I think Ubuntu, Suse, and Fedora are the best linux distros for most people. If you like to use the Xterm alot or have a computer with |
| jimf Oct 26, 2006 11:53 AM EDT |
> I gather that for debian users the idea of a relatively straightforward install is nothing short of revolutionary. Huh!... News to me. The only difference is that it's not a Live CD. With FUD like this running around, is it any wonder that Debian users are not Ubuntu fans... |
| herzeleid Oct 26, 2006 2:42 PM EDT |
Quoting: jimf: Huh!... News to me. The only difference is that it's not a Live CD. With FUD like this running around, is it any wonder that Debian users are not Ubuntu fans...Easy there big guy, I love debian, it's a nice wholesome disto, and you can do just about anything with it. I even ran debian sarge on an internet server for awhile. But let's be real, its not something a typical mcse would be able to install. |
| tuxchick2 Oct 26, 2006 2:54 PM EDT |
"its not something a typical mcse would be able to install." Ooo that is so tempting....but no, I shall take the high road and not fill this post with tasteless MCSE jokes. (redundant, I know) |
| Sander_Marechal Oct 26, 2006 2:57 PM EDT |
Quoting:no, I shall take the high road and not fill this post with tasteless MCSE jokes. Could you make a new thread then? I'd love some good jokes :-) |
| jimf Oct 26, 2006 3:28 PM EDT |
> not something a typical mcse would be able to install. That says nothing about Debian, but a lot about mcse. |
| helios Oct 26, 2006 5:13 PM EDT |
Point one: Anyone who uses an exclamation point more than once every million or so words should be beaten with a limp keyboard until sufficiently bruised. That particular splotch of ink should be used with the same frequency as mustard gas. Point two: I have been rightfully accused of Unabashed Ubuntu-Bashing. It is a bit like shooting fish in a bathtub...except you don't have to mop up any water or field the questions from neighbor-spawned law enforcement agents. I have however, attempted to mend my ways and take one for the team, as it has been pointed out: The marketing has been fairly good for not having hit the airwaves in an overt manner AND it is Linux...if that be the vehicle Aunt Tillie takes to get to the party...allow me to be the doorman who escorts her into the ball. Just leave your friggin' exclamation points at the door Mr. Oh-Ubuntu-Is-Getting-So-Way-Noticed, author. I see a new Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" opportunity for you. I do, btw have about 80 of said spots for anyone who inquires of them. h |
| jsusanka Oct 27, 2006 1:19 PM EDT |
I like ubuntu - it is a great distro - I personally use suse - can't really tell you why it is just the one I go back too. I think they have the best 64 bit distro out of the box. But I use ubuntu too - runs great on my daughter's Imac that apple doesn't really even support any more but is still a nice little computer. maybe one day I will give suse a try on ppc but that is when I have a lot more time. |
| jimf Oct 27, 2006 1:43 PM EDT |
> it is a great distro Actually it's a pretty average distro. The difference seems to be that they are almost as good as MS in promoting. As a result they've aquired a mob of overly enthuastic new users. They do seem to use lots of exclamation points, so maybe that's a clue to their sucess. Perhaps Debian would get more new users if we just promote it that way!!! Ok, helios, I used three of yours... (ducks to avoid limp keyboard beating :D) |
| helios Oct 27, 2006 2:27 PM EDT |
"...Actually it's a pretty average distro. The difference seems to be that they are almost as good as MS in promoting. As a result they've aquired a mob of overly enthuastic new users. Brilliant statements that sum the entire phenomenon this profoundly will negate LKBBS (Limp KeyBoard Beating Syndrome) You sir, have boiled down the entire cause and effect of the Ubuntu "experience." I was going to use the word phenomenon again, but that would be akin to breaking my exclamation point rule. I hearby motion that the exclamation point be outlawed as a legal punctuation mark...along with the smiley face, and replaced with... ya'll take it from there. I gotta get this blog done about the Linux Migration of my Company...It is trying to take on Clavellian proportions and I am doing my best to reign it in. h |
| jimf Oct 27, 2006 3:09 PM EDT |
helios, My apology for the occasional smilie face, but much of my work is on IRC doing user support. It's a necessity there, and a few of those just tend to leak out here. |
| helios Oct 27, 2006 3:44 PM EDT |
Oh, I was just funnin' about the smiley face...I use it to distraction myself ;-). In fact, I have a personal friend named Forrest who actually created the craze! Really! He even coined a phrase to go along with it. "Have a nice day...and keep your pathetic little problems to yourself." Personally, I think it should have never been condensed. I have an accounts payable team leader in Boise who has evolved the use of the smiley face to an art form...she decided her tux mascot should have a smiley face on his chest. The funny part is that it has a bullet hole in the forhead with x's for eyes and a small trickle of blood running from it. Gotta love accountants and their sense of humor. h |
| jimf Oct 27, 2006 4:21 PM EDT |
> The funny part is that it has a bullet hole in the forhead with x's for eyes and a small trickle of blood running from it. That sounds appropriate for Engineers and support people too. Or maybe a tux falling on his sword with, of course, a :). |
| dcparris Oct 27, 2006 7:01 PM EDT |
Actually, it sounds to me like Shuttleworth understands my biggest gripe - the marketing issue. That's what many of us have been saying. What Canonical offers in Ubuntu is not so much the cutting edge, as simple. In its base form, Ubuntu is simple and easy to use. You can build on the basic distro, but what you get initially is enough to accomplish the most common tasks. Unlike most other distros, Canonical markets Ubuntu. They put money into it that other distros either don't have or won't commit. It goes back to what I have said numerous times in the past year. FOSS developers don't do marketing. Word of mouth is great - and a solid foundation upon which to build any marketing campaign. But you still have to market your project. I don't know how many times I have specifically asked project leaders to pass the word when they were about to release an update or new version of their software, only to discover that they're too busy hacking to say anything. I mean, I'm saying, "tell me your news - I'll write it up." Any way you look at it that's free 'marketing'. If you don't take advantage of it, you don't benefit. Put another way, you only get out of it what you put into it. |
| jimf Oct 27, 2006 8:01 PM EDT |
> FOSS developers don't do marketing As an Engineer, I can relate to that. We technical people know it's necessary, but most of us haven't a clue when it comes to marketing, promoting, & sales. People in the Linux community who have that experience (don't tell me there aren't any) need to get involved. |
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