Behold! A maiden post from the Unix computer. Notice I used the word Unix more than the name of the OS, which is Ubuntu. This is because Buntu means ‘brain dead’ in malay. Which makes Ubuntu meaning You are brain dead. Just note that when I say Unix, I generally mean Ubuntu. Coz that’s the only Unix distro I’m pretty familiar with.

Ok let’s start the list. Those of you who are of higher prowess over this OS may laugh at my lay-man’s interpretation of this quite misunderstood OS. So laugh on, I don’t care. This is MY review. And I don’t just mean the Bogaman. There are some Unix crazies in my class as well.

Number One: No restarts.

Well, minimum, at least. Most installation goes through without the need of a restart. It’s quite refreshing. Seeing how windows ALWAYS ask you to restart, after messing with your registry and all that. I don’t fully comprehend the Unix way of installation. But I know that it’s mostly unzipping and involves a small set up. Then you’re good to go.

Two: Full Customisability

One person’s Unix will look very much different from another person’s, assuming they both know how to customise. Otherwise, it’ll be that slightly off orange themed desktop. I’m not talking about customising graphics only (although that’s the only thing I know how to do now), but I’m talking customising how every single thing works in your computer.

Three: GRAPHICS!

And a big number three this is. Graphics, yes… when you just installed this OS, it’ll be a simple orange themed desktop. But damn can you turn it into anything you can ever imagine! It may even look like something out of the movies. This is because it’ll fully utilise your graphics card. No matter how weak it is. Windows will use your graphics card only when you’re using graphic heavy software or games. Otherwise, the card sits there rather quietly.

Four: Quite stable.

Unix, the one I have installed and customised, seem to be performing exceptionally well. It hasn’t crashed a single time since I had it on, and I’ve played around on it quite mercilessly, to the best of my ruthlessness. Hmm. By that I mean running the OS with so many windows open spanning several desktops… I had so many windows open running so many shits that I lost track of them. It’s also partly because I’m not too familiar yet with the navigation and managing windows back then. But a few days on the OS quickly fixed that. Well, so far, so good.

Five: Desktop… no, DESKTOPS

You’re not restricted to one desktop, or workspace, to say it more accurately. And then you can switch around them with style.

Six: Free Applications

Many many free applications. They’re all rather useful, or at least interesting. I haven’t got much yet, but Buoh is a nice comic reader. Especially good old newspaper comics. However, I still prefer to go to the webcomic page to read webcomics. Buoh is still good to read favourites like Sherman’s Lagoon, Garfield or Wizard of Id.

And you can actually browse through what applications you want to download, like an e-shop, except its free.

Overall Review:

Ok, after saying all those cool stuff about Unix, here’s what I generally think about this OS. (at this point of time, anyways)

It’s a great OS for the average computer user. If you’re using the computer to surf net, use web apps, and use Mircrosoft Office, you can quickly get comfortable with Unix. Or if you’re just using the computer to watch movies, listen to music or any other multimedia, Unix has no problems doing all that stuff.

Which is why I’m putting this comp in the other room for everyone else to use. At the same time, they’ll all be impressed with all that graphic customisations made.

I use it also of course, when I’m just surfing or watching stuff.

But when it comes to work, or my line of work, I’m still more comfortable to work in Windows, even though it irritates me (especially VISTA) with its random crashes.

I know there’s Wine. It’s an application to help run Windows’ applications fully on Unix. But I’m just lazy to explore that alternative. I’ve reached a new comfort level with Unix now, and I’d like to stay here for a while before exploring some more.

So in conclusion, you should all give Unix a try, only if you know how to customise the shits outta Unix. It’ll be cool.

Tags: rants, ubuntu, unix, windows