Today I finally installed Ubuntu 8.04 on my Sony vaio sz4. It runs like a dream, better than the SUSE setup which it replaced. My first thoughts are that the system runs very fast and all the components work out of box(web cam, finger print scanner have not being tested yet). I have noticed the wifi throughput has increased, using the eclipse IDE runs like a dream and best of all compiz fusion works on both the laptop and on a dual monitor setup. The synaptic package manager seems more complete overSUSE’s yast package management.

Although it is my personal laptop,  Ubuntu (7.10) was rolled out on all developer workstations at Or Media. This was a little shock to some of the developers, but everyone has seen the benefits. Some of which are:

• Apps deployed on a Linux system are developed on a Linux system.
• Most of the software is free (Although some machines run VMWare with windows installations – QA, Bless them!)
• Cheaper machines can be bought
• Everyone now has the same setup
• Security is tighter

Of course, like all good things, there are certain draw backs. . VMware needed the vmware-any-any-116 hack just to get it working. After that the evaluation license is invalid and therefore had to buy it straight away (well 30 days earlier than needed!).

In conclusion, SUSE in my eyes was pretty good. But the more I use Ubuntu I see that this distro is going to be the de-facto standard.  Below are some of the reason why you will agree why Ubuntu is on top and why everyone is changing towards linux:

Dell

Dell

BBC’s view

Sweeden moving to linux

Japan’s schools

 French parliment

Cross over office helps

An advocate of microsoft windoze(hehe)

There are many many more example that you can find. At the end of the day, money, security and stability all play a key role. Linux is a winner, so if you have not tried to change your OS now is the time to consider.