[OldTimer97]

I am not very knowledgeable in linux operating systems. Can anyone here tell me the system requirements for the latest version of Ubuntu? I have not been able to find that anywhere. It would greatly increase the efficiency of the system I currently run.

I understand from friends of mine that Ubuntu is freeware, and this also helps me immensely, but I still have questions, and I'm unsure if this is the right step to accommodate some of my digital hobbies.

[Bernardakins]

Ubuntu can run on just about anything. There are a few versions of it that are designed specifically for older systems. (Kubuntu/Xubuntu)
What's nice is that there isn't really much of a learning curve, it's all nice and straightforward.
The community is very friendly, and they can answer or already have answered just about any questions you can think of.
Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

Note: I had only ever used windows. I tried out Ubuntu at the suggestion of a friend and it's still on my desktop. The setup was a breeze aside from an issue with my wireless card, and it only took a few minutes to fix that. Everyone should try this at least once! You can use one of their LiveCDs (Which is what you install from anyway) to try it before you install.

Edit: Whoops! forgot this link! https://help.ubuntu.com/community/In...emRequirements

[JackalsNose]

Originally Posted by OldTimer97

I am not very knowledgeable in linux operating systems. Can anyone here tell me the system requirements for the latest version of Ubuntu? I have not been able to find that anywhere. It would greatly increase the efficiency of the system I currently run.

I understand from friends of mine that Ubuntu is freeware, and this also helps me immensely, but I still have questions, and I'm unsure if this is the right step to accommodate some of my digital hobbies.

Linux can handle any problem you have, and if you're just a basic user, you shouldn't have too many problems outside of set-up. Video set-up is a pain if you want the Compiz-fusion graphics manager to work (at least for ATI Mobility cards) but after you've screwed up the X windows manager and have had to use command prompt to fix it, you know to never mess that up again (If that is currently your case, the lynx text-based browser is a godsend).

I originally had problems with the audio lagging for youtube videos, but that was 6 months ago or so. With the recent explosion of popularity that Ubuntu has been experiencing, I have had no problems at all. I even got my Audigy 2 ZS PCMCIA card working in only a couple of minutes.

[Dach]

Originally Posted by OldTimer97

I am not very knowledgeable in linux operating systems. Can anyone here tell me the system requirements for the latest version of Ubuntu? I have not been able to find that anywhere. It would greatly increase the efficiency of the system I currently run.

I understand from friends of mine that Ubuntu is freeware, and this also helps me immensely, but I still have questions, and I'm unsure if this is the right step to accommodate some of my digital hobbies.

Be warned. Ubuntu is NOT easy, especially if you've ever used Windows or Mac OS before.
First off, installations are VERY different. Instead of:
1. download executable
2. run it
3. click next 4 times
4. run program from desktop or start menu

in Linux it's
1. find tarball file hidden deep in the website
2. download it
3. move tarball to the folder where installation is to take place
4. read readme file that tells you you need to add some repositories for the program to work at all
5. open up library
6. download extra sets of repositories needed to open the tarball
7. figure out which repositories on a list of over 2000 relate to your program
8. check them off and wait for installation
9. reboot (though Linux calls it "logoff")
10. start up repository library again to get the ones that needed a reboot
11. go back to tarball folder
12. open up readme file that came with the tarball again,
13. find series of 5 or so commands that are needed to start the program
14. type in first command
15. copy error message from first command
16. post it into a usergroup so they can tell you that the command was not implementable with your 2.24.314159265 kernel
17. download homemade patch created the next day by friendly usergroup person,
18. place patch next to tarball
19. type cryptic series of commands included with patch
20. assume everything went well because you didn't get an error
21. go back to desktop
22. realize none of that made any kind of shortcut to the program
23. go back to program directory only to find that nothing in that directory is executable
24. get frustrated and reinstall Windows.

This happened to me 4 times with three different flavors of Linux. Thankfully I got smart after the first time and used Live CD's, because I knew I'd need to go back to Windows. Two of those times were with Firefox! They should know better.

Also, there are a lot fewer programs available.
I keep trying Linux because I like rooting for the underdog, and I really, REALLY want to like it. But, it's not even close to being a usable operating system. Free is great, but you really get what you pay for.

But yeah, as useless as it is, it'll run on practically anything with a power switch. If I haven't completely discouraged you from trying Linux (and believe it or not, I hope I haven't!) then use a Live CD. You can download them for free, and boot from the disc. When you realize it's not useful for anything but server networking, you can reboot wo Windows, with no harm done to your real OS.

[SkyFuser]

I've just pulled an all-nighter yesterday (it was even a SCHOOL night) just so I could finish installing Ubuntu on my computer. It took bleeping forever, the installation kept having problems.
And Linux is very stable, unless your computer operates on a black and white screen or so, you'll have no trouble using it.
If you're not sure, try the LiveCD. If you like it, you can install from there.
As for it being different, of course you'll need adjusting. You have been using Windows all your life. But you don't really have to tarball everything, most common programs have packages you can easily add.
I was kind of confused at first, but with continuous use and some help from BleepingComputer, I'm starting to using Ubuntu more than Windows At least there's no system file errors!

[djeuro]

many people say ubuntu is the best operating system out there. Many say mac, and many say pc. Well, to those who say ubuntu, tell my why. Is it that you like that theres no problems? Is it the user interference? or is it that its free and it fits your needs. One thing i dont get is that since it is pretty popular, why dont they make a new version of linux with all better things and sell it instead of giving it away free. Maybe they could make some money off of it.

[SkyFuser]

Do you know what Ubuntu's meaning and its philosophy is? That'll answer your question about selling it.
I can't say there's no problems, nor is it easy. But it was made to battle the monopoly of Microsoft and to truly try and develop an operating system where everyone can learn and contribute, and make their use of the omnipotent computer a better experience. It has almost everything any user can ask for.
I'm not saying it's the best, but still... for something that's free it sure has more perks than Microsoft. And best of all, it was designed with YOU in mind >_^

[Bernardakins]

Dach, it isn't always that hard to install programs. >_>
I mean, sure, there is the occasional program that you'll have to install by hand, but did you try finding the repository that the program was stored in, adding it to synaptic package manager (Which it might be in by default in the first place, try searching it), and then installing it through that? While it still isn't as easy as installing from a .exe it's not very hard.
ALSO with .deb files (Which lots of people are releasing their programs through now ) and the GDebi package installer it IS just as easy as .exe programs to install. Double click, follow the prompts, and BOOM it's there. It'll even get you the various packages that it's dependent on, which is neat.
(And just to mention it, through WINE [which can be a bit buggy at times, but meh] you can install windows programs with just a double click, too.)

[sharkhead7854]

as to your second question- i had ubuntu for a while, mostly out of curiosity, and i must say its really efficient
but something about it just feels like its not as user-friendly as windows
you may need to run a windows emulator (like wine) to use some programs depending on your "digital hobbies"

[jazboy]

Latest version Ubuntu can run almost any laptop without any problem for the laptop which is 2 years old. If your laptop is more than 2 years old then you probably need to do some setup once X-session starts. For ATI Readean graphics card user also need to do some setting. We normally don't provide restricted software but restricted software depositry is aviliable in ubuntu. But by default its disabled you have to enbaled that and you have to install restricted softwaer throuh synatic manager.

If your laptop doesn't support 3D graphics then you probably won't be able to run beryl / compiz effect on ubuntu. But if you are not sure about your graphics card some of our friends have written one utility which will tell you whether 3D will work on your laptop or not.