Laptops for less: How I saved big on a computer the Ubuntu way
Filed under: Shopping, Simplification, Technology
I live in Portland, Oregon, where open source is not just the favored software methodology but a way of life. Yet despite my buddies sporting their Linux user group laptop stickers, I was desperately afraid. It sounded hard. It sounded geeky.
Then I needed a new laptop. I was going freelance and sending my corporate laptop back to the mothership. The refurbished Dell Latitude I bought was only $245 but came without an operating system. My geeky friends suggested Ubuntu -- the free operating system Linux users consider a beginner's option. I'd save a few hundred dollars on Microsoft Vista and the Office suite; and I didn't have the extra money so it was really my only option. That or spend a lot of time at the public library.
I received my new laptop a few weeks before I would have to send back my old ones, so I had time to burn a copy of the Ubuntu operating system onto a disk (note: use the slowest possible burn speed for best results). After a few mis-starts due to badly copied images (see note), I had my computer running Ubuntu and Open Office and had entered the ranks of true geekdom. While occasionally I have to peek nervously into Ubuntu help forums to figure out how to install something, and still can't figure out how to watch videos on ABC.com, I can do all the work I could do with my bloated Microsoft system. It feels good supporting something that's community-based; Bill Gates has enough money. What's more, the laptop doesn't come packed with 100 different icons cluttering the desktop (Try NetZero!). When my husband told me he wanted to get his great uncle a computer (so he can get church emails), I told him unequivocally: go Ubuntu!
I still haven't been to a Linux user's group. Baby steps...
Then I needed a new laptop. I was going freelance and sending my corporate laptop back to the mothership. The refurbished Dell Latitude I bought was only $245 but came without an operating system. My geeky friends suggested Ubuntu -- the free operating system Linux users consider a beginner's option. I'd save a few hundred dollars on Microsoft Vista and the Office suite; and I didn't have the extra money so it was really my only option. That or spend a lot of time at the public library.
I received my new laptop a few weeks before I would have to send back my old ones, so I had time to burn a copy of the Ubuntu operating system onto a disk (note: use the slowest possible burn speed for best results). After a few mis-starts due to badly copied images (see note), I had my computer running Ubuntu and Open Office and had entered the ranks of true geekdom. While occasionally I have to peek nervously into Ubuntu help forums to figure out how to install something, and still can't figure out how to watch videos on ABC.com, I can do all the work I could do with my bloated Microsoft system. It feels good supporting something that's community-based; Bill Gates has enough money. What's more, the laptop doesn't come packed with 100 different icons cluttering the desktop (Try NetZero!). When my husband told me he wanted to get his great uncle a computer (so he can get church emails), I told him unequivocally: go Ubuntu!
I still haven't been to a Linux user's group. Baby steps...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-23-2008 @ 11:31PM
MisterMeister said...
"While occasionally I have to peek nervously into Ubuntu help forums to figure out how to install something, and still can't figure out how to watch videos on ABC.com..."
ABC.com uses the move media plug-in that's Win/Mac only so there's no love for Linux or any other system. But you can still get around this by using WINE, which is an emulation layer for Windows Programs.
All you need to do is install WINE through the Synaptic Package Manager or in a terminal using apt-get. Then download a Windows version of Firefox 3, yes that's correct a Windows version, and install this using WINE with a right mouse click and choose "open with WINE" option.
Browse along to abc.com and you'll be prompted to install the move media plug-in along with Adobe Flash. At that point you'll be able to watch the episodes without any problems.
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11-23-2008 @ 7:26PM
Richard Chapman said...
I don't use Ubuntu, I use PCLinuxOS. But that doesn't usually matter because so much of Linux is standardized. I suspect you are missing a codec. I also suspect you have already done this but just in case I'll mention it anyway. Since I don't use Ubuntu I can only speak in general terms. You need to add the None Free or Restricted repository to you Package Manager. Then search for anything Win or simply codec. If you search the Ubuntu forums for "ABC News" you might get some useful information. Linux often seems frustrating and confusing but most of that leads to the first rule of Linux ownership: "Linux is not Windows".
I really love Linux. When I was a Windows user it seemed that my computer was fair game for any hawker who managed to get inside my machine. I can't stand stuff blinking at me and the "A programs is not responding to shut down. Would you like to shut it down now? Quickly followed by, "This program is not responding, would you like to end it now? Made me crazy.
Things are quiet now with Linux. I honestly couldn't imagine another way of computing.
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11-23-2008 @ 10:39PM
GDI said...
ABC.com uses Flash, for which you'll need to open up Synaptic Package Manager and look for "flashplugin-nonfree". This will install Flash 10. I think you will need to enable the "Universe" repository in your Synaptic Settings to get this.
Alternatively there is a meta-package (a package that pulls in lots of other packages) that includes lots of goodies that can't be distributed by Canonical by default due to licensing restrictions (including Flash plugin, Java plugin, MS Core fonts and lots of audio and video codecs, including MP3 and DVD) that's very handy. In Synaptic, look for "ubuntu-restricted-extras".
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11-24-2008 @ 12:29AM
Whitespiral said...
"I still haven't been to a Linux user's group"
You don't have to. You can join a linux forum instead, and spare the gas for more important trips. If the Ubuntu forums get so many posts that you feel your contributions or opinions are ignored, there are countless other forums.
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11-24-2008 @ 2:19AM
Andrew said...
The Ubuntu Community has a nice thing called LoCo Teams.
In Oregon yours would be https://wiki.ubuntu.com/OregonTeam
no need to "visit" a LUG. Most of the help can be used through email or IRC chat anyway.
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11-24-2008 @ 8:46AM
motang said...
Welcome to the world of Linux. Glad to hear from that it's going pretty good for you. I would install the codecs and flash 10 on your system and this can be done via Add and Remove programs (but you have to choose all available programs). As for ABC.com, if you are referring to the shows...well I am afraid they don't support Linux, as they require an software to be installed on your system, but Hulu.com works very well.
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11-24-2008 @ 9:22AM
Tad said...
Hello, I really don't recommend installing firefox in wine just to get flash.. all you need to do is go to Add/Remove and search for Ubuntu Restricted Extras. That will Install all the codecs flash and java you need to get up and running quickly! make sure the dropdown at the top says all available software.
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