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John Dvorak Likes Linux

(image found on roughlydrafted.com)
PC magazine critic and writer John Dvorak checks out Ubuntu Linux OS 8.10 and loves what he sees. Take a look at what he has to say and see some of the great advantages that running Ubuntu gives an end user without all the costs associate with the Windows OS and its appz.

Also, after you get done reading the article below, don't forget to check out Ubuntu for yourself.

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I have been using Ubuntu for a few releases now and i love the OS. Definitely, one of my favorite flavors of Linux Distributions.

Every so often I take a stab at Linux, to see exactly what I like and do not like about the OS. Many of its problems, for me, stem from its inability to run on my overloaded hardware, or the occasional driver that makes the OS impossible to use without hand-tweaking something or other. That said, I seriously like the Ubuntu 8.10 implementation and will now install it permanently on my latest machines. It's a winner.

This OS has a lot of nice features, and it's quick. It's freely downloadable all over the net as a ISO disk image, too. Go to the official Web site for a download link. Ubuntu is particularly cool because the install version is also a "live" version, meaning that you can boot it and run it from a CD without installing the OS at all. More important, it's a fully functional live CD, meaning that it can save and load files from drive C: or a NAS.

When I encountered a glitch, I changed to a safe graphics mode that limited my screen to 1,280-by-1,024 rather than 1,600-by-1,200—but this was no big deal.

While your PC is running Ubuntu as a live install, the CD is doing all the work for the OS, and even so, it's at least as snappy as Windows. Install it onto the hard disk as the OS for the system and the thing really flies. I'm not sure how many legacy old clunkers can run this operating system. but it's the perfect reinstall for older machines that bog down under Windows. The live feature is what it makes it so cool; no need to install the OS before thoroughly testing it.

For lightweight work, the install disk comes with Firefox for Linux and AbiWord, a credible open-source substitute for MS Word. In fact, there is probably a Linux program that will substitute for just about any Windows programs with as much or more functionality—with the exception of Adobe Photoshop. That said, there are plenty of photo editors for Linux. The popular GIMP app comes to mind.

While the various Linux desktops generally aren't as polished as Vista, they are functional and easily as slick as Windows 2000, the OS most observers think was the best Microsoft ever did. In many instances the complexity of Linux turns out to be smoothed over by the Ubuntu architecture. It's so good that I'm a little annoyed with myself for not getting to it sooner. And I sure don't want to hear "I told you so!" from all the Linux mavens.

I'm in the process of putting together a new Atom-based mini-ITX machine (with an Intel D945GCLF2 motherboard) for use as a Web browser in the kitchen. This OS would be ideal if for no other reason than the fact that I won't have to worry about anyone in the family fooling around online and getting the little machine clogged with viruses and Trojan horses.

I seriously appreciate the fact that Linux is mostly immune from malware, in much the same way as the Macintosh. I had a small machine in the kitchen running Windows, and every time I ran a scan on the thing I kept discovering too many problems. I know that if Linux becomes too popular, the malware will come. But for now it's rare—a good thing as far as I am concerned.

I'm tired of dealing with Windows malware, patch Tuesday, and the never-ending deterioration of the OS as it clogs up like a drain in a greasy-spoon restaurant. I can't take it anymore.

And there's something else that always bugs me about Windows. I have an iMac that I use at the office, and a few times every month Apple has some patch that it sends out. With few exceptions, each time a patch is installed with the Mac OS, the performance of the machine improves. With Windows, the performance always declines.

I don't think Microsoft has ever sent out a patch that improved the performance of the machine. Ever.

And of course, the biggest differences between Ubuntu and Windows are the cost and the subsequent headaches, because Microsoft is constantly fretting over bootleg copies. The company monitors machines to make sure they are running legal copies of software. There have already been instances of computers shut down by Microsoft HQ because of some glitch in the cloud. This is simply unacceptable. I don't want to rely on a system like that.

I cannot wean myself off Windows altogether because, well, I write about Windows. But for ancillary machines that I put together where I need reliability and low price, I'm always going to see whether Ubuntu works. And if it does, that's what gets installed.

If I had a small or mid-size company, I'd probably use only Linux and open-source software, just to stay out of the way of the software police and their onerous "audits"—another abhorrent situation that, to me, is intolerable.

You should also note that almost all of the newest hardware coming out has Linux support. The critical mass has been reached. Go download Ubuntu 8.10 and see for yourself what the fuss is about. You won't regret it.

Its nice to see such a great review from John on this awesome OS.

Dvorak Likes Linux (PC mag)

Can Ya Hear Me Now at Home - Verizon launches Linux Based VOIP hub

(image found on CnetNews)
Well it looks like Verizon has come aboard the home market now by giving us a taste of things to come by introducing the new Linux based Touch Screen VoIP phone for the home. This phone can send & recieve text, picture and video messages with unlimited SMS messages to anyone with a Verizon Wireless phone too. "It also provides additional Web-based services, such as an online calendar and a contact list that syncs with Microsoft Outlook. "

"VoIP phones and services are nothing new, but what makes the Hub stand out is the ability to use the touch screen to access Web services. The screen is filled with large icons that can be used to check the weather, update stock information, get directions, find local phone numbers, view movie trailers through V Cast, and access other services. "

All a person needs to do is simply plug it into a broadband router and pay a small monthly fee of $34.99 for service and they get unlimited calls anywhere in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The hub is scheduled to be available on February 1, 2009 for a cost of $199.99 after a mail-in rebate with an option to purchase additional hand sets (price hasn't been determined yet).
(image found in information week website)

"Verizon representatives say they aren't trying to compete against Vonage or any other voice over IP service. Instead, they're trying to offer their wireless customers an alternative to home phone service while also providing added features and benefits.

"We are really targeting people who are cutting their traditional landlines," Willsey said. "People are spending between $50 and $60 a month on that service. And we see wireless and voice over IP as an economical alternative that also offers more features and more flexibility.""

Verizon Launches Touch-Screen VoIP Hub (Information Week)
Verizon Wireless Launches Internet Phone (Cnet news)
Verizon Launches 'Hub' VOIP Phone (PCMag.com)
Verizon Hub reinvents the home phone(techradar.com)

Google Android G2 Phone glimps

(image of Android G2 phone found on Gizmodo.com)

Well the rumors have been circulating for sometime now about a new Google Android G phone being called the G2. These are some photos I recently came across on Gizmodo showing a new design that seems to be only offered in this white color. Look out Apple iPhone, it looks like someone is knocking on your door.

(image of the G1 found on dbtechno website)
This new design has gotten rid of the G1 keyboard option to replace it with just a touch screen. I don't know whether to love it or wonder if its a bad design move. Granted everything is getting to be a touch screen environment. But, when it comes to usage these PDA phones hold a lot of information, if the touch screen has an issue and is not working rite, the user could have a big problem. I think having the keyboard option is a nice safety net when it comes to the usability of the device itself. Plus, there are still many people who prefer a physical keyboard instead of a virtual one on a screen.

The device also comes equipped with a 3.2 mega pixel camera upgrade too. Expected release for this new item are being circulated as somewhere around May 2009 but nothing has been officially confirmed yet. Also, this phone does still offer a Linux-based alternative for iPhone lovers.

On my personal phone I have both a keyboard that slide up like the G1 and a touch screen keyboard option. Granted at times i do use the virtual one on the screen but its nice to know if i have a problem with the touch screen i can still use my phone when needed and not have to find a shop or use another persons phone until it can get fixed.

Plus as the current G1 phone continues to expand into Europe and other countries i think that the fan base of the touch screen and slide up keyboard option will grow in popularity and desire.
I think its great to be able to see new items that will soon be released but Google has not officially confirmed that this is what the unit will look like but its a nice peek at what may be of things to come.

Next-gen Android phone coming soon? (Cnet news)
Get your Google Android Based T Mobile G2 Pics (googlewatch.eweek.com)
T-Mobile G1 Phone Set To Expand To More Countries in Europe (dbtechno.com)