What Will Drive Mainstream Desktop Linux

You know how on TV, NFL Analysts will pit one football team against another and say what areas they need to execute well in order to win the game, here is my take on the most popular desktop Linux distros:  Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Chrome OS.  Let's not mince words here.  Windows is still the undisputed king of the desktop with Apple a distant second.  In the meantime, Linux does not even show up on the radar, especially where it counts: in retail outlets and the average consumer's mind.

There are a couple significant reasons why Linux is a distant third, which I've covered in earlier posts.  However, one important area that needs to be addressed, which I haven't covered before, is product development.  I'm going to pretend that I am a NFL Analyst assessing each Linux distro's product and explaining what each distro needs to improve on to be appealing enough for the average consumer.  Now when I go through this analysis, I need to assess each distro as if I am buying a branded PC with that distro.  Why?  Because that's how most consumers expect to purchase a PC.  The difficult part with a lot of the Linux distros is that there is not that "appliance" that "works out of the box" perception that consumers get when they use it.  After all, people are used to using Windows PC's, MACs and tablets that just work, including apps that came with each device.  They expect that same kind of reliability when they use any PC.  So let's start the analysis with the latest device that comes very close to that, which is the Chromebook.

Chromebook

Pros:
After doing some research on Chromebook owner's perceptions with their device, it appears that they are very satisfied with its fast performance and the ability to do basic PC tasks such as working with documents, reading, watching movies, social networking, using email functions, doing their finances and shopping on-line.

Cons:
The biggest gap between using a Chromebook and a PC is that the processes of Video Editing and Image Editing are cumbersome for the average consumer.

Remedy:
We know that these Chromebooks were not designed to be a "Production" PC due to its limited 16GB storage capacity.  However, with some of the OEM's creating different models of the Chromebook, including the Chromebook Pixel for heavier processing, I think that one of the OEM's should at least include reliable and intuitive Video Editor and Image Editor tools as native applications on the Chromebook.  I understand that Pixlr is one app from the Chrome Web Store that can do Image Editing pretty well but when you are dealing with images over the internet, the latency is still not comparable to working on images locally on a PC.

Ubuntu PC

Pros:
In my own experience, Ubuntu has done a good job serving as my "Production" PC from November 2011 until now.  I can do all computing tasks that I executed daily on a Windows PC.  I've used LibreOffice and Evolution, which replaced tasks I used MS Office and Outlook for.  I've been able to create and revise images using Inkscape and Gimp.  I've also been able to create and revise videos using Desktop Recorder and Openshot Video Editor.  As for development, I have been able to use IDE tools such as MONO and Eclipse pretty well to modify, test and trouble-shoot code on applications.  I've even gotten printing to work with a Brother MFC 210C printer that I acquired in 2009.

Cons:
The only major drawbacks I've encountered were with Webcam software.  Cheese is the most common webcam software used with Linux PC's.  After applying software upgrades, the Cheese application is not as reliable.  In fact, I cannot get the video capture process to work properly even now.

Remedy:
Ubuntu needs to make sure basic computing tasks that users come to rely on are working well even with software upgrades or updates.  I realize that it's not possible to satisfy every piece of hardware or make every free Linux program work well for every user but what you can do is work with OEM's to ensure that basic computing tasks are optimized for their hardware if they sell Ubuntu pre-installed on their hardware.  For example, Cheese is not in anyway affiliated with Ubuntu but if that's what comes with pre-installed Ubuntu laptops, at
least make sure it works well and reliably.  Or get the OEM's to install their own Webcam, Video Editing or Image Editing software that works well on Ubuntu.

Linux Mint

Pros:
I've been using Linux Mint since March 2013 and I really like this desktop.  One of the tech writers did an informal survey of his family and friends, comparing Ubuntu vs Linux Mint for new Linux users.  What he found out was that non-tech savvy new Linux users preferred Ubuntu and that tech savvy new Linux users preferred Linux Mint.  I consider myself a tech savvy user so it's not a surprise that I spend more time using my Linux Mint partition over Ubuntu in a dual boot situation on my Toshiba Satellite.  What do I like about it?  It's clean, elegant and uncluttered.  Its user interface reminds me a lot of Windows 7 but much simpler.  I can find the programs I need pretty easily.  I can also do everything that I could do with Ubuntu as a "Production" PC.  I actually decided to try Mint when I saw an article by a tech writer extolling its virtues and I'm glad I did.

Cons:
Mint suffers from the same issues that Ubuntu does because they use the same supplier of Linux applications.  Mint is a derivative of Ubuntu so it's not a surprise that this is the case.  After applying software upgrades, the Cheese webcam software I was using stopped working reliably when capturing a video.  There is a latency when recording or it crashes.

Remedy:
There are quite a few OEM's which supply Linux Mint pre-installed.  Since there is no coordination between independent developers of free Linux apps, the Linux Mint developers and the OEM's, I think OEM's need to install their own webcam software that is optimized for their hardware on Linux Mint.  They should also consider using this same approach for Video Editors and Image Editors as well.

So, there you have it.  If all three Linux distros want to sell more PC's with their OS, they need to aspire to creating an "appliance" that works well out of the box so that when tech reviewers "unbox" their product on Youtube, they get the optimal "out of the box" experience to share with the world.

Windows XP Support Ends April 8, 2014: What Do I Do Now?

If you are currently using a Windows XP PC and are concerned about its support ending soon, April 8, 2014, to be exact, here are some options you should consider.  It's all going to boil down to either keeping your PC or purchasing a new one.  Keep in mind that I am listing the options from the perspective of a Windows XP user who wants a familiar interface and user experience comparable to their XP experience.

Keeping Your PC

If you would like to salvage your PC and continue to use it until it physically falls apart, you can install:

1.  Windows 7 - This option may not work if your hardware cannot fully support Windows 7 or if running tasks appear to be slower than with XP on it.  Check to make sure your PC meets these requirements in order to run Windows 7 well.

2.  Ubuntu - This option may not work due to Unity 3d graphics requirements.  Therefore, it is recommended to use a light version of Ubuntu such as Xubuntu or Lubuntu.

3.  Linux Mint - I would recommend the XFCE version of Linux Mint, which is lighter than its other versions Cinnamon and MATE.
  
4.  Nothing - Just use the Windows XP PC as a backup device for legacy Windows files and programs for you to reference until you've converted them to a format compatible with your new PC.  Do not connect it to the Internet or your local computer network to avoid being infected by viruses or malware.  Let it stand alone.  For printing documents, you may allow limited connection to your local computer network to enable printing from your network printer.  Otherwise, print using a USB connection to your printer.

Buy New PC

If you prefer not to keep your old hardware and buy a new PC, you can buy the following:

1.  Buy a Windows 7 PC - There are still some retailers on-line who offer Window 7 PC's.  Microsoft supports Windows 7 until 2017.

2.  Buy a MAC - You may spend quite a bit more but at least navigation within this user interface is more intuitive than Windows 8.1.  You at least know that all the applications within the MAC are comparable to Windows applications in terms of ease of use and working out of the box.

3.  Buy an Ubuntu PC - You won't spend as much as a MAC but the cost will be slightly more than a Windows 7 or 8 PC.  However, over the long run the total cost of ownership will be less than owning a Windows PC.  Due to most Linux applications being free and open sourced, there are a lot of good applications comparable to Windows for daily use.  However, according to what I've researched over the web, there is no comparable applications to Adobe Photoshop or Sony Vegas Pro.  (Check out Gimp or Inkscape as potential substitutes for Photoshop.  Check out Openshot Editor as a potential substitute for Sony Vegas Pro.) 

4.  Buy a Linux Mint PC - You won't spend as much as a MAC but the cost will be  slightly more than a Windows 7 or 8 PC.  My assessment of Linux applications is the same as in #3 above.

5.  Buy a Chromebook - This will be the cheapest purchase option for people who don't mind being heavily dependent on the cloud for their daily computing and file storage tasks.

Re-purpose the Old XP PC and Buy a Chromebook or Tablet

1.  Convert XP to Linux Mint on old PC for heavy computing tasks and use a Chromebook or Tablet for most computing tasks.

2.  Convert XP to Ubuntu on old PC for heavy computing tasks and use a Chromebook or Tablet for most computing tasks.

What Is Your Use Case?

Are you a Developer?

Are you a Graphics Designer/Artist?

Are you a Film maker?

Are you a Gamer?

Are you a Business user?

Are you an average Home user?

Depending on your use case, your needs can differ significantly from another user so keep that in mind when exploring your options.  What you should be trying to find out is what set of computing tasks do you primarily use your PC for and make your decision accordingly.

For example, if you are an average Home user and you spend most of the time on the Internet, social networking, reading, watching Netflix or shopping on-line, the Chromebook may be all you need with your old PC as your "Production" device.  What I mean by that is you primarily use your old PC to run MS Office applications and do work on.

Anyone that does mostly computer programming, filmwork, video editing or photo editing should probably choose a PC other than a Chromebook for their "Production" device.

As for me, I do all of the above just fine with my dual boot Linux Mint 14/Ubuntu 12.04 Toshiba Satellite purchased in 2008.  There are occasional stutters and pixel fragmentation when I have multiple applications open simultaneously but for the most part, I've done splendidly with my daily work.  With some software upgrades I have experienced bugs in some Linux applications.  For example, there is a slight lag in the Cheese webcam software on my hardware and on some PC's it crashes when trying to capture a video.  However, when I use Google Hangouts, my webcam works just fine.  Keep in mind I am using these Linux distributions on hardware which were originally optimized for Windows.  I'm certain my experience would be a lot smoother had I purchased a Linux laptop.

So, hopefully, you found this post useful in helping you make a decision on what to do with Windows XP.  With only 3 months to go for XP support ending, you can at least take some Linux distros on a test drive.

Why Now Is A Good Time to Migrate to Linux

Recently, I learned that the City of Munich completed a decade long project to free itself out of perpetually supporting proprietary OS software which would have forced them to continue investing in more software and hardware upgrades according to the time-line of their proprietary vendor, Microsoft.  Although, they made a brave decision to go to uncharted territory with Linux in the face of increasing pressure from Microsoft, they proved that with dedication, time and intelligent decision-making, particularly with regard to change management practices, they could overcome all hurdles.  I applaud their efforts as changing the practices of an entire organization is not an easy feat to accomplish.

Here are good reasons why right now is a good time to migrate to Linux:

1.  Windows XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft after April 8, 2014. -  This means that no further updates by Microsoft will cause a Windows XP PC to be vulnerable to new malware and viruses developed after the update expiration date.

2.  Migrating to either Windows 7 or Windows 8 will require new software, new hardware and extensive training costs. - The user interface of Windows 7 is not as dramatically different as Windows 8 is for an XP or Vista user.  However, Windows 8 is completely different with the new Metro interface.  From the reviews I've seen, it does not appear to be as "intuitive" or "efficient" in terms of executing common computer tasks as the best Microsoft OS, in my opinion, which is Window 7.  This means you will have to re-train your staff to use the newer version of Windows, incurring more training costs.  If your hardware is 32-bit or several years old, chances are Windows 7 or 8 will be struggling to work optimally on the legacy hardware, if it does work at all.  If you pick a Linux distribution, which does not consume too much CPU resources, you can get it to work well on that old hardware.  What I've seen recommended for beginners is:  Elementary OS, Zorin, PuppyLinux, Linux Mint (XFCE) and Ubuntu.  For very old hardware, I wouldn't recommend the latest versions of Ubuntu.  Since Ubuntu has other variations such as Kubuntu and Lubuntu, you may want to explore the lighter versions on that hardware to get optimal use out of it.  Given that you will need new hardware, software and incur training costs to use the latest version of Windows anyway, you might as well consider alternatives like Linux.

3.  Applications today are heading toward a web-based model, which does not depend on a particular OS platform.  - A decade ago, most home users ran applications native to their operating system.  Most application vendors created applications specifically to run optimally on the Windows OS, which is the dominant desktop OS and still is.  However, now that a lot of applications are being consumed by people from the internet such as Facebook, Twitter, Google Apps, Instagram, there is really no need to be tied down by a Windows OS.  Sure, you will encounter some specialized applications that you absolutely must run on a Windows PC, whether it's for school or work.  But, you can get around that by either dual booting Linux with Windows, creating a Windows virtual OS partition on your Linux PC or keeping an old Windows PC as backup.

4.  Linux frees you from proprietary vendor lock-in. - There are many distributions on the desktop for Linux, providing you with many choices to enable the "best fit" for your situation.  There are many applications available for desktop Linux, most of which are free.  You no longer need to buy applications that are made just for Windows, which will cost you a pretty penny.  Of course, there may be some applications that you got used to using in Windows that you cannot find a comparable "quality" experience in Linux such as Adobe Photoshop.  (That's where the dual booting, Windows virtual directory or keeping a spare old Windows PC comes in handy.)  However, with each passing year the number of Linux applications increase both in quality and quantity. (Are you keeping track of the number of Steam games being developed for Linux, by the way?)

5.  The modularity of Linux enables you to customize your IT solution to meet your specific organizational needs. - The City of Munich took the Ubuntu distribution and customized it to specifically meet their needs.  Why was this advantageous for them?  The first reason is that they could take out of the standard Ubuntu distribution anything that they didn't need which would have cluttered their PC CPU resources and leave in the features they absolutely had to have to run their business.  The second reason this was beneficial to them was that they could capitalize on getting professional support by Canonical, the engineering organization behind that popular distribution.

6.  Linux has better security features within its OS. -  Due to the nature of how Linux is designed, you don't need anti-virus software like you do with Windows.  Why?  First off, you can encrypt your /home folder, which is equivalent to the /users folder in Windows.  Second of all, the File structure of Linux enables "hidden" files and directories, which means they will be inaccessible should malware find its way to your PC.  Third of all, if you accidentally download malware it will not run on its own unless you specifically give it permission as a root user which is like the administrator role in Windows.  Last of all, the modularity of Linux component programs do not tie them tightly together so that if one program were affected it would not affect all programs in a "domino" effect, crashing your system.  The fact that Windows component programs are tied together tightly in an "inflexible" way is one of the reasons why it's easier to take down a Windows system.

7.  Linux is already widely used on the server side and client devices such as tablets and smartphones. - If you are already using Linux as a server for web applications or databases, you will be more familiar with it as you use it on the desktop.  Although, Android has a Java based front-end, it's back-end kernel is based on Linux.  That means the File Structure is very similar to the Linux desktop.  With all those similarities, if you are planning to move toward a Linux platform it will be easier for you to support with that familiarity across server and client hardware.

8.  Linux is gaining more support in areas it was traditionally weak in. -  Some of the weaknesses of using Linux was lack of driver support for hardware, the availability of quality games and playing Blue Ray DVD's which are limited by DRM.  With companies like Nvidia and Valve contributing to Linux, this is becoming less of an issue as time progresses.

9.  Using Linux will decrease IT operational costs over the long run when taking into account reduced IT software and hardware upgrades, IT license costs, IT asset management costs and IT licensing compliance costs.  -  Think about it, if you are running a business.  No licenses to keep track of means your IT staff won't be spending labor hours chasing non-compliant computers that don't have a Windows license.  Your hardware can last longer if you customize your Linux distribution to run what you absolutely need without hogging up CPU resources.  Your IT staff won't have to defrag PC's or install anti-virus software on them.  You can use networking tools to manage the administration of thousands of PC's using Landscape or Puppet.

I could go on and make this into a book but I'll stop here and let you digest what you've already read.  I think I've given you many good reasons why you should move to Linux now.  Keep in mind, from a cost perspective, that you need to do a feasibility study first.  That means you need to write up a Business case and determine if there is going to be a positive return on investment (ROI) in migrating to Linux.  Remember there are going to be one-time costs (migration) and recurring costs (IT operational), including asset depreciation.  Those need to be accounted for when writing up the business case.  I will cover how I would approach this on a later post in my website.  The cost perspective (translated into lower IT operating costs) is not the only advantage of using Linux.  It's the ability to negotiate better IT procurement contracts with your IT Suppliers that gives you the bigger advantage besides the reasons I listed above.  Why?  Because you won't be tied down to a specific Vendor's ecosystem of applications and hardware.  Linux has a variety of applications to meet most end user tasks and can be ported to many different types of hardware on the client side and the server side, increasing your freedom of choice.

Why Ubuntu's Unity Interface and Search Privacy Issues Are Overblown?

Unity Dash Search Results
Okay.  I get it.  I'm all for the EFF looking out for the average consumer to ensure he/she is not being exploited by greedy corporations.  So, I read recently that there was some controversy and strong words being issued between the EFF and Canonical.  Look, can't we just all get along already?

Someone used Canonical's logos in an article and on their website to criticize how search results were being conducted using Amazon instead of Canonical servers.  Canonical asked them not to use their logos and the EFF called their lawyers on Canonical to defend that person's right to speak.

What does this mean if you are an average consumer looking for a good desktop alternative to Windows or MAC?  It doesn't mean a whole lot.  Why?  Because you can remove the functionality that sends your search results to Amazon if you don't want Amazon products to show up in your search results.  The point is you, as the consumer, DO have a choice.  You can either leave in the search results by default if you are using Ubuntu 12.10 or higher OR flip OFF the switch that allows your search results to be sent to Amazon.

According to How-To-Geek, it's actually a 4 step process:

1.  Search for Privacy in the dash and launch the Privacy application.

2.  Set the Include online search results slider to Off and you won’t see Amazon ads in Ubuntu’s dash.

3.  Uninstall the unity-lens-shopping package to remove only the Amazon advertising.

Type the following command into the Terminal window and press Enter:

sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping

 Enter your password, type Y to confirm, and Ubuntu will remove the package.

4.  Remove the Amazon Launcher by right-clicking it and selecting Unlock from Launcher.

The Unity Dash
Next on the agenda.  Ubuntu user concerns with the Unity Dash are way overblown.  Why?  Because once again, if you do not like the Unity Dash Windows Manager you can swap it out for the more familiar Gnome look that you got used to.  Or, if you like to embrace change in a more gradual way, you can add the "Classic Menu Indicator" to the Unity Dash Windows Manager so that you have both on the same Window.  For those of you who are unaware, the "Classic Menu Indicator" provides a tree menu structure to navigate among your different software categories.  It looks like the "Start" button on Windows.

If you would like to deploy this on your Ubuntu desktop, here are the steps according to Liberian Geek:

1.  Press Ctrl – Alt – T on your keyboard to open the terminal and run the commands below to add its PPA archive:

     sudo apt-add-repository ppa:diesch/testing

     sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install classicmenu-indicator

2.  Launch the application from Unity Dash by typing "Classic Menu Indicator" and hitting the magnifying glass.

3.  Click the 3 horizontal lines icon from the top panel to access the new menu.

Here's a Youtube tutorial showing you how to install "Classic Menu Indicator".  It's 6:36 to 11:20 timeframe of the video.  (Note:  Since the filming of this video, the Ubuntu icon has been replaced by the 3 horizonal lines icon shown in the pic above.)




As for my experience with Ubuntu, I started using Ubuntu when it was Lucid Lynx and got used to the Gnome interface.  When Unity showed up in 11.04, I thought it looked very professional and pretty.  It was so easy to use that even my Mother in her 70's, who played more with her iPad, could navigate through it without any problems.  However, from a Power user perspective, Unity may be a tad bit too limiting due to a Power user wanting to see where all the applications are organized and stored in one view.  That is why, "Classic Menu Indicator" is so handy because it fulfills that need to see where all your applications are in one view.

Despite user paranoia on trying something new, there are quite a number of advantages to using the Unity interface, one of which is the HUD (short for "Heads Up Display").  By pressing on the TAB key, you can search for a menu item that you are too lazy to find within an application's menu tree structure by typing the "menu item" in the Unity dash, significantly improving your desktop task productivity time.  I could go on but I really wanted this post to focus solely on the controversial issues facing the Unity interface and why I don't think it's a big deal.  In a subsequent post, I will cover the advantages of using the Unity interface in more detail, including using the HUD.

That is the beauty of Linux.  You do have choices.  If your organization is using Ubuntu and you do not like the options offered with the latest releases, particularly with the Unity interface, realize that you do not have to go off Ubuntu to have your needs met.  Just improvise!

Using the $249 Chromebook as a Full Desktop PC

There are many alternative PC's to choose from, most of which run either on a Windows or MAC OS.  We all know that on the desktop it's mostly Windows.  Since Windows XP will be reaching its end of life for Windows support soon, some of you on Windows XP are going to have to make a decision on whether to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8, buy a MAC or something else.

I'm here to explain to you that you've got many alternatives for that "something else".  That something else could be purchasing an Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Suse Linux Enterprise Desktop or Fedora laptop from one of the niche Linux Hardware Vendors.  Or it could be using your Android device as a PC.  Or it could be purchasing a $249 Chromebook and using Linux alongside of it to run it as a full desktop PC.

First you'll need to install "crouton", a program created by one of the Google Developers to enable Linux to be run simultaneously as Chrome OS.  I was checking Youtube and found this guy demonstrating how it would work on a Chromebook Pixel.

I also found this thorough instruction guide on How-to-install-ubuntu-linux-on-your-chromebook-with-crouton/.  The cool thing about this guide is that it distinguishes the differences between what you can do on an ARM versus Intel x86/AMD 64 Chromebook.  So it all depends on how you plan to use your Chromebook.  If you are going to be doing more program intensive tasks, you are much better off buying the Chromebook with the Intel x86 or AMD 64 processor.  If you are going to be doing some light word-processing and spreadsheets, buying the ARM based chromebook may suffice.

And you thought that purchasing a Chromebook was going to limit you to Google Chrome OS web-based apps...NOT!

What About Ubuntu Edge on a Newkia Smartphone?

I've been reading the headlines lately of how Nokia put all its eggs in one basket and tanked with the Windows Phone instead of diversifying to include Android as one of its offerings.  Now from its ashes, in the aftermath of the Microsoft acquisition, rises Newkia, a company made up of former Nokia employees determined to provide the Android alternative on Nokia hardware denied them in their former company.

I applaud their bravado in responding to an untapped market - Satisfied Android users who wanted a Nokia phone optimized for their needs.  I suspect that when Nokia longtime users needed to upgrade their Symbian phones, they either elected to buy a Samsung Galaxy or an iPhone because the only alternative available to them was a Windows Phone with limited apps availablity.

Although they do have the talent of former Nokia employees, they are going to be restricted by the Nokia hardware patents now owned by Microsoft.  Therefore, they will have to come up with truly new and innovative hardware which won't infringe on those patents yet still allow them to produce their Android alternative smartphone.  I've seen reader comments asking "What are they going to do different than HTC because Samsung has pretty much cornered the Android smartphone market."

I think in order for them to succeed, not only do they have to find a way to lure former Nokia consumers back to their familiar hardware look and feel, they have to differentiate themselves on the software functionality side as well.  They need to focus their efforts on two primary markets:  business and consumer.

On the consumer side, because Android is based on Linux, which is under the GNU/Linux Public License, they can create their own custom Android User Interface that allows them to optimize the software for their hardware and add more features.  Battery life is a major thing for a lot of smartphone users because the more apps you add, the more it strains your battery usage.  If they can find a way to optimize battery life while being able to retain what the average user considers a maximum number of apps, consumers will take notice.

On the business side, Ubuntu came out with a cutting edge concept of a desktop converged on a smartphone when docked.  If Newkia is able to partner with Ubuntu to make that concept come to fruition in an effective and exciting way, the corporate world will definitely take notice.  That would be one way both Canonical (Ubuntu's parent company) and Newkia can corner the enterprise market.  With the way technology is transforming how work is conducted and executed today, work is becoming more and more "mobile".  As far as I'm concerned, it would be an ideal pairing with Canonical's software expertise and Newkia's hardware expertise converged in one device. 

As a side-note, the cool thing about Linux is it is "modular".  You can strip off what you don't need from any base "distro" and add the programs you do need to optimize the operating system software for the hardware and its components.  Just look at what the PC gaming company, Valve, has done with the SteamOS.

You Can Still Have a Smartphone and PC on ONE Device Despite No Ubuntu Edge

Some of you are disappointed just as I am that the Ubuntu Edge is not going to happen as planned.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ubuntu or Linux in general, Ubuntu Edge is a high-end phone and desktop PC concept developed by Canonical, a UK based Engineering company which provides professional support for Ubuntu, one of the more popular Linux distributions on the desktop.  It was planned for release sometime in mid 2014 if its ambitious crowd funding goal of $32 Million was achieved.  Unfortunately, the campaign ended without the goal being achieved.  However, on the bright side, it brought more exposure to Linux and Ubuntu as alternative operating system to Windows and MAC.

Despite the disappointment, there is no need to fret if you were looking forward to using a device with that concept in mind.  You can still have your cake and eat it too by pairing up Android with Ubuntu!  I like Android a lot.  I've been using it on my Samsung Stellar Smartphone since I upgraded my phone from an LG Envy Touch in November 2012 via Verizon.  At first, I wasn't interested much in a Smartphone, particularly when I saw friends who were using the iPhone.  The iPhone is a great device.  Don't get me wrong.  However, I really did not see the need to do things on the phone that you normally do on the computer and on a small screen to boot.  So when my LG started having some issues and I needed a new phone anyway, Verizon had iPhone and Android alternatives for upgrades to choose from.  I decided on an Android phone because not only was it cheaper but I already was used to using Ubuntu on the desktop and for those of you unaware, Android and Ubuntu are both based on the Linux kernel.

It took some getting used to a new OS (Android) in the first few days but I caught on pretty quickly and have found it very easy to use, which is why it has been widely adopted.  Despite the smaller screen, I found many cool things I can do on my PC on Android to be a great experience, especially when you're in situations where you are waiting in line somewhere.  I can simply use my Smartphone as a reader to read Amazon kindle books, browse the internet or play games while I'm trying to kill some time for my appointments.  Speaking of appointments, I can even use it to schedule appointments using the calendar program that comes with my device.

Now that I was high on Android, the one thing I have been leery of is actually using a Smartphone or a Tablet as a desktop PC.  I figured, "Who wants to do heavy duty word processing, crunching numbers or developing code on a small screen that does not pack a lot of punch (power)?"  Well, I was skeptical until I saw the resolution on the latest Android devices, particularly the 7 inch screens.  The latest Google Nexus 7 looks very impressive and so does the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 on Youtube Reviews.

So, if I was a Corporate Enterprise User, that would be extremely enticing to have the ability to slip a 7 inch high resolution screen in my purse as opposed to lugging a heavy laptop in a backpack or carrying case during business trips in airports.  Ubuntu 12.04 or higher is certified to run on a Nexus 7.  Now you can handle this one of two ways:  Root or Multi-boot.  Rooting the device would require accessing and unlocking it at the root level and wiping Android off and replacing it with Ubuntu.  You can restore Android if you back it up.  However, from past Reviews, I am not sure that this method is ideal as some Ubuntu versions are not optimized for the Nexus 7 yet because there is some lag.  However, better results were gained from a multi-boot situation.  (Multi-boot Instructions Here.)  As far as I know, Android did not have the capability to multi-boot unlike a Windows PC until fairly recently.  A developer in the Czech Republic created a program called "Multi ROM" which allows an Android device to boot more than one ROM (operating system).  You have to go through a series of steps to unlock your Nexus 7 at the root level and then install Multi ROM from your PC to your Nexus 7.  With an OTG to USB cable connector plugged into your Nexus 7, you can take an Ubuntu USB and plug it into the OTG to USB cable for your Nexus 7 device to access.  (See example below.  I was only able to find a good one in Italian so I apologize to the English speakers.)

With an Aluminum Bluetooth Keyboard that fits perfectly to your Nexus 7 as a protective cover when not using and as a docking station when using, you've got an ideal laptop replacement.  Add in a Bluetooth Mouse and its even more compelling.  If the Nexus 7 allowed for HDMI connection to a large screen monitor or TV like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, it would even be more ideal on business trips or for the mobile worker who visits various company locations.  (See example below.)

Because you are limited by the processing power of the Nexus 7, you would not be able to do CPU intensive activities unless you were accessing those programs via thin client and those programs resided on a heavy duty Enterprise Server.  However, that's something the techies in your company would take care of for you.  So, welcome to the Brave New World of computing.  More reasons why it's good to be learning and using Linux!

Linux Out of the Box Ready For You with System 76

In an earlier post, I was musing about what vendors offer Linux as an "out of the box" experience.  It appears there's more than just ThinkPenguin.  System 76 also offers Ubuntu pre-installed on all of its hardware offerings from Laptops to Servers.

https://www.system76.com/home/

They also feature reviews of their products on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/system76video/

More importantly, they offer support for their hardware and the Ubuntu OS:

https://www.system76.com/support/

I haven't tried their products yet nor ThinkPenguin's either but they sure do look very appealing the next time I want invest in another laptop.

For now, I have 3 usable laptops:  An HP Pavillion with Windows 7, A Dell Inspiron with Ubuntu 12.04 and a Toshiba Satellite with Linux Mint.

I spend most of the time on the Toshiba Satellite with the other two for back-up.

All the issues I have faced with installation and configuration of Linux Mint or Ubuntu would probably be minimal if I bought a laptop with Ubuntu pre-installed from one of the vendors I mentioned above because they come already configured with the necessary drivers, codecs, software, etc to do most of the things the average user executes on his/her computer.  For the hardcore gamers, I suggest you watch this review to compare with an X Box experience:



I'm not a hardcore gamer nor do I build computers but Linux has taken a bad rap for not being supported enough in terms of hardware manufacturers, driver support and gaming variety.  I think that's changing already with the quality of hardware available, support available and Steam's foray into creating more games for the Linux world.

I also think that Linux hasn't taken off quickly because most of the world doesn't even know that it even exists.  After all, you don't find any pre-installed Linux computers in retail outlets like Walmart or Best Buy.  You also don't see any commercials on Linux.  So I think that by getting the word out on Linux, its merits and its ecosystem of quality providers, Linux can be more mainstream.

I started a website to get the word out so feel free to share it with your friends if you like what you see:  Going Mainstream with Linux

Linux on the Desktop is Expanding

Ubuntu To Become The Official OS Of China  http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2013/03/ubuntu-to-become-the-official-os-of-china

Now that Canonical is collaborating with China to make Ubuntu its official OS, it's only a matter of time when Linux on the desktop will become more mainstream.  I feel ahead of the curve that I am learning and using Linux now.  Don't you?

Let's see...I first started using a computer to access the Internet in 1996 for personal use.  It was a Packard Bell that I bought for cheap at Sam's Club.  I remember when my provider was Earthlink on dial-up.  Man!  We've come a long way since then.

Next, I got my first cell phone around 1999 or 2000.  Can't remember exactly when.  I thought it was cool then because I used to be on call for work using a pager.

Fast forward to October 2012, I finally get my first smartphone.  My LG Env Touch got worn out after 3 years and I was eligible for an upgrade by Verizon and my choice was a Samsung Stellar Android.  Did not realize that it was run on a Linux kernel.  Oooh and I've been using Linux since November 2011 after my brother loaded it on my old Dell Inspiron.

I'm glad he did that because to me, Linux has opened a world of unlimited possibilities for me to tinker with for FREE!!!  And I get to share this world with you all...

One more thing I want to add is Linux's albatross of lack of driver support and variety of hard core games is going to diminish as the Chinese market is penetrated with Ubuntu predominantly.  What WhoHa Biz Wiz is gonna ignore the Billion people market in China??!

Linux Newbie Tips & Tricks Post 3

Okay.  So, you've done your test drive of Linux on a USB stick and now want to take that next step of dual booting your Linux OS with Windows.  Here are a couple areas you need to pay attention to when you are navigating your way in Linux Mint or Ubuntu:

1.  Change the Mirror - Find the best site for downloading your packages instead of the default site.  This should speed up the downloading of packages when it's time for your OS to be updated.
Changing Mirror in Linux Mint Tutorial

2.  Find the Task Manager - I learned this the hard way somewhat.  If you are in a dual boot situation, and you go crazy downloading a bunch of software and running the resource intensive ones simultaneously you could bring your system to a crawl.  In Windows, you have a Task Manager that allows you to monitor the CPU of processes that are running and enables you to stop the processes (programs) in the event they stop responding.  You can do the same thing in Ubuntu and Linux Mint.  You can hit <CTRL><ALT><DEL> to return the original login screen and shutdown from there OR navigate to Task Manager, select the process (application) with the high CPU% giving you problems and right click your mouse to Stop, Kill or Terminate the offending process.  Using the Kill option is like turning off your computer.  Whatever you were working on does not get saved.

3.  Get Familiar with Synaptic Package Manager - Even if you don't plan on touching this utility, you need to be familiar with it so that if you ever run into issues with programs that stop working properly, you can lead your techie to the root of your problem.  There is a Search field with a magnifying glass which allows you to enter the name of packages to either be installed or removed to your computer.

4.  Get Familiar with the Terminal (Shell) - For the same reasons as #3, you want to know what this utility does and where it is located so that you can get your techie to resolve your configuration and package issues.

5.  Backup regularly with APTonCD - Before you download any new software using the Ubuntu Software Center or the Linux Mint Software Manager, create an ISO backup file of the current state of your computer and store that ISO file either on a Cloud drive (i.e. Google Drive, UbuntuOne, DropBox, etc.), USB, DVD or CD.  That way, if something happens after you downloaded software or received package updates, you can always restore to your previous "working" state with the ISO file.    This guy does a good job explaining the Backup and Restore process in this tutorial:
Backup and Restore process using APTonCD in Ubuntu

6.  Backup your data files and internet browser bookmarks - You can easily backup your data files to a Cloud drive, USB, DVD or CD.  However, I have not found a quick way to do the same with internet browser bookmarks.  Just make sure you have the URLS for each bookmark stored in a text file that you can backup to any of the external drives I keep mentioning (i.e. Cloud, USB, etc.)

7.  For printer/scanner/faxing devices - Go to the manufacturer sites for instructions on your Linux Distro if Linux Mint or Ubuntu were unable to successfully recognize your device.  Chances are the device driver was not in the Linux Mint or Ubuntu supported device database and you need to add additional packages via Synaptic Package Manager and do additional configuration via Terminal commands.  You may also have to manually edit a text file that stores all the Vendor specific information for the device so that Linux Mint or Ubuntu can properly recognize it.

8.  Install VLC Media Player - If you want to be able to play Movie or Video DVD's, I recommend using this player.

9.  Set up shortcut icons - For your commonly used applications, set up shortcut icons. Set one up for LibreOffice applications, VLC Media Player, APTonCD, VLC Media Player, your Favorite Internet Browser and your Cloud Backup Drive.

10.  Get familiar with Screenshot - This program is good for capturing screenshots of any errors you get while in the middle of a program so that you can submit the screenshot of the error to your favorite support forum.  I also use this to capture the screen of Synaptic Package Manager before I add any package updates so I can keep track of my changes without breaking packages.  I can always revert back to the previous state by using the screen shot.

After you do all of the steps above, you should be all set to enjoy gaining the maximum benefits of being on Linux and minimizing any potential problems that could arise.  I will go over each step in more detail either in a future post or update this post.  So STAY TUNED!!!

Sick of the Blue Screen of Death? Searching for Better OS Alternatives to Windows for Personal Use? Try Ubuntu or Linux Mint!

As you sit staring like a wide-eyed zombie onto your Windows computer screen, did it ever occur to you that there were better alternatives out there to the Windows monopoly on your set of eye-balls and the rest of the world's? Surely the thought must have crossed your mind each time you had to contend with the Blue Screen of Death (refer to pic above) after your PC or laptop got accidentally infected by a virus, trojan or some other form of malware.  Or perhaps, you find yourself getting annoyed with getting constant reminders in your Inbox to renew that Norton or Symantec Anti-Virus subscription that costs more than a pretty penny?  How about when you boot up your Windows machine at work, you get so used to it taking so long that it's your normal routine to go grab coffee and make some idle chit chat with co-workers to kill time before perching in front of your workstation?

Well, just so you know, there ARE better alternative OS's (operating systems) out there without the hassles mentioned above.  Have you ever heard of the word Linux?  Well, Linux, like Windows is an operating system.  In case, you never wondered what an operating system was.  It's the software that runs your hardware (be it your PC or laptop) and communicates with any new software that is installed on it or any devices that are attached to your hardware such as your mouse, printer, USB or removable hard drive.  In fact, if you are reading this from an iPhone the OS is the iOS and if you are reading from a Samsung smartphone the OS is Android, which is based on the Linux kernel.   Linux, is an open source form of the Unix operating system.  If you've never heard of Unix before, it is an operating system that is primarily run on large servers in businesses to run heavy duty business applications such as Financial systems, CAD CAM systems, etc.  Well, you can consider Linux to be the twenty something baby of the forty something Unix operating system.  The point is Linux has matured past baby stage to agile adulthood to expertly handle all the things that Papa Unix OS has handled in the past and then some.  

In fact, Linux servers run in over 60 percent of websites today and are quickly becoming the platform that top businesses today will come to rely on for current and future application hosting due to its reliability, scalability, low cost and portability.  Although, Linux has made significant inroads in the business world, it still has not reached mainstream as far as personal use or business use on the desktop.  However, I think that trend is about to change with the latest Distros (short for Distributions) on the Linux desktop.  Ubuntu is the #1 Distro for Linux Desktop users, followed by the very popular #2 Linux MInt flavor, which is the easier desktop for Windows users to transition to due to its Windows like GUI.

Since November 2011, I have been using Ubuntu 12.04  on a 2003 Dell Inspirion laptop which runs dual boot with Windows 2003 and, more recently, Linux Mint 14 Xfce on a 2008 Toshiba Satellite laptop alongside Windows Vista which came pre-installed with the laptop as did the Windows 2003 OS on my old Dell.  In my next post, I will tell you more about my experiences with both Linux Distros in detail and why I believe the Windows stranglehold can be broken to increase the adoption rate of both Linux Distros.  You know what the REALLY cool thing is to using these Linux Distros?  They are both FREE!  Both sites offer various ways to download their OS for free.  Check them out at: www.ubuntu.com and www.linuxmint.com.  I will also be listing Linux Newbie Tips & Tricks for those who want to take the plunge and try something different than Windows or Apple.   In addition, I will be posting tutorials of things I learn in Linux on Youtube.  Check out my Youtube Channel and subscribe to learn more Linux.

Ubuntu Review

Linux Mint Review