reply to post by enigmalone
A good way to experience other OS's like Ubuntu etc, is to use Microsofts VirtualPC - or if you can obtain a copy, VMWare workstation.
As long as your main rig has enough power and ram, yu can install the OS into those to determine what you like/dislike about them. Ubuntu for example
runs great in a VMWare box - but you can also run it from a Live CD which means you boot up from the CD and it loads into memory, you can use it as if
it were installed, then reboot to get back to your main OS.
I like ubuntu, it has a natural feel to it. and installing software could not be easier as long as it's in the Synaptic repositories.
I don't use it however, as I paid a load for software that wont run natively in it and I lose too many benefits of running things in wine, but it has
helped me many times with the livecd when I've corrupted this box and had to get on the net to download drivers/files etc.
I just spent the day reinstalling XP over my W7beta and I'm still suprised that right out of the box, XP has no audio , no decent video, no NIC for
my system, yet ubuntu loads up with audio, great resolution and network support without me having to consider it.
I would be considering Windows 7 a lot more, but until they address issues like Alcohol52% support, it will only be something to watch.
As for learning curves, Windows7 is as much a learning curve over XP and XP was over 98, as 98 was over 3.11.
So ubuntu has no real problem when it comes to learning things - definitely ready for desktops for people who use office apps, web browsing, play
audio/video, etc.
If you're a gamer or a multimedia editor, there are alternatives, but they fall flat compared to Windows supported equivalents.
That's not the OS's fault however, it's the software companies not supporting the OS.
Never used a MAC.
and ^^ - I don't know what google chrome will do for linux.. lol.. If the OS is anything like the browser, it will suck...