Comments on: Mac vs. Linux support for Windows users

Mac and Linux supporters need to show some empathy when working with potential Windows converts.

[dsterry]

I'm surprised nobody here has mentioned that Flash is not free software. It does lots of interesting things behind the scenes depending on the exact flash applet like contacting a) the maker of the applet b) the licensor of the content and c) codec providers. This is all in addition to downloading the movie you wanted. You're much better off using free software that respects your privacty such as the latest version of Gnash or finding a workaround that doesn't involve running non-free software. i think we're all looking forward to the video tag and growing ogg theora support so Flash can be purged from the Internet forever.

[zoopster]

Matt,

You've hit upon an area covered at the most recent Ubuntu Developer Summit in Barcelona. One of the items of discussion was revamping the "add/remove" applications dialog to make it more intuitive. The project is described as "App Center", but the idea is to create a better user experience to allow users to easily find the items they need to "get the job done".

The one item that has not been mentioned is that the "real & proprietary" Adobe flash plugin is in the Partner repository which you need to enable in System -> Administration -> Software Sources and checking the box for ...partner in the Third-party software tab. The Adobe Flash Plugin and Acrobat Reader packages are there for your use.

Where Mac and PC has had many YEARS of trial and error, Ubuntu has had all of five and look where it is today thanks to feedback such as yours.

JP

[Matt Asay]

A very good point, and this is the first I've read about the Partner repository. Thanks for sharing!

[ron1221]

TITAN LEV (Linux Extended Version) by Affrody is a distro designed to make it easy for both Windows and Mac/OS users to switch to Linux. TITAN LEV is intended to provide users the ability to work seamlessly in both Windows and Linux environments. It comes with 150 selected programs pre-installed (including Flash and other restricted codecs). This eliminates the need to search the vast open-source universe for the right application and it also eliminates the often intimidating open-source programs installation. Its User Interface looks like Windows XP with the familiar menu structure that helps bridge the Windows-Linux great divide. Affordy provides premium technical support for the entire TITAN LEV package.

[igneousquill]

I switched from Windows XP to Ubuntu 8.10 last December. This was my first experience with Linux. There were a few bumps in the road, but the Ubuntu Forums helped enormously. I was surprised by how helpful people tried to be, and didn't get any "hey idiot" comments directed my way.

[LazLong]

Normally I would not respond...
To a garbage article like this....yet I agree, with the idea that those that know..could & should be more understanding & forthcoming, and most are.......

Which it is why I have to wonder, why a tech site/writer is so behind the curve?
Maybe it is just still popular/profitable to market ignorance.

It was second nature to install media for linux. Don't even remember the specifics....do it once it is done? Far, far easier than hunting down drivers for windows (xp,vista,7) (I hate having to find/download/install drivers for firmware, what ever happen plug~n~play)

Funny that rather than show/tell people how to do it simply, it is a linux bashing article. You would think (by now, at least) tech sites/writers would not be so far behind the curve?

[Matt Asay]

Who told you I was a tech writer? I blog in my spare time. And I rarely blog on the Linux desktop because I think the browser largely obviates the need to worry about the OS. Except, this time, my theory proved wrong. I couldn't use the browser as I'm used to because...the OS got in the way. :-)

[i_debian]

Matt, even though I ranted about Ubuntu's illogical way of helping users install multimedia support, I'm still using 8.04 LTS as my main OS.

There has been a lot of trouble with Xorg and the Intel driver, and Ubuntu 8.04 has handled X without problems, so I'm holding onto it with both geeky hands at the moment.

Once you know to add the ubuntu-restricted-extras package, you pretty much have all the multimedia packages you need.

I know a few people happy with Mint, and a few less (but some nonetheless) with Mepis, but I feel a lot more comfortable running Ubuntu (or CentOS, Debian or Mandriva) on a production box because I know the distro will be around for awhile and that security patches will be issued in a timely manner.

I'm not a big fan of running distributions or projects that aren't a bit more bulletproof regarding their development and security teams (and Slackware almost doesn't qualify due to Patrick V. being pretty much a one-man show, although Slack's quality is EXTREMELY high both in the main distribution and attention to security).

As I've written numerous times recently, by virtue of its mission and its popularity, I expect a whole lot more out of Ubuntu than I do almost any other free, open-source operating system. I understand that Canonical can't ship with all multimedia enabled -- and I agree with their reasoning -- but they need to give the user all the choices available and let he/she decide what they want to do. It's a very BSD way of thinking ...

The worst thing I've seen in the open-source world is developers thinking they always know what's best for users. Ship what you wish, but the projects/distros that let users do what they want afterward are the ones I like the most.

And regarding Ubuntu, it's a great idea to have one of the good desktop-oriented books at your side to help run the system. I think both Keir Thomas and Rickford Grant's books are excellent for this purpose.

[bimmin]

Installing flash on Ubuntu seems pretty easy to me. Usually when I install software I first look to see if there is a Ubuntu version in synaptic, if not I often add a new source in synaptic and install that way.

Now if there was only good web development software for Linux...

[Chevalr1c]

"Here's a hint for the Mac and Linux faithful: you won't convert Windows users by talking down to them. Focus on the positive aspects of your own operating environments and then demonstrate empathy and patience while <i>showing</i> newbies how to get around on Linux or Mac OS X."

That's right, and hence the members of the Dutch edition of the Ubuntu forums usually don't come with a commandline based solution when the person asking help is a newbie, and if necessary and possible physically meet the help-asker.

[erwinsoo]

In Terminal just key in this command

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

This is actually a "must do" after a fresh Ubuntu install. Its similar to one having to install flash or shockwave from adobe's site if you are using Windows. Also, for your notebook or netbook, you could possibly use the desktop version of Ubuntu 9.04 rather than the remix if you prefer the familiar "Windows" interface.

[dannosliwcd]

Well, I equally use Windows and Ubuntu Linux (due to many tutorials on hacking the Ubuntu kernel to work with the Asus G1Sn's screwed up BIOS, makes it easier for me than other distros). One of the things I love about Ubuntu is that its documentation is way more helpful than any Microsoft documentation (or at least the search function for it is, and I don't like manually browsing through all of that). If you ever find a problem on Ubuntu, what you did (a google search) should find an answer at some forum somewhere, but don't forget to check the documentation that was written for the purpose of helping users.

Anyways, when I encountered an email with a link to Youtube, I needed to install flash. Here's where I found my solution (Documentation Wiki):
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/
This might help you solve other problems you are still working on such as decoding DVDs, playing .MOV files that were on your mac (Though, I believe both of those problems can be solved by installing VLC... take a look at it, great cross-platform program.).