Comments on: Ubuntu Linux: Built-in apps get an "A", wireless support an "F"

The "Gutsy Gibbon" version of Linux, a.k.a. 7.10, has all the applications most Windows users will need, but its spotty support for wireless adapters limits your networking options.

[tux_warrior]

Or, just buy yourself a laptop with Linux pre-installed if you need things to be super easy for you. Why not do your research upfront and find out what hardware/laptops *are* supported before going out and dropping a wad on a pre-loaded Vista machine?

Don't blame Linux because the hardware makers are strong armed into only writing Windows drivers.

[caerbannog]

Unfortunately, hardware (especially wireless) support for Linux can be a hit-or-miss affair.

The best thing to do is to take a couple of Linux live CD's with you when you go computer shopping. I did that and ended up getting a $480 "clearance" HP Pavilion that runs Linux perfectly (sound, video with compiz/fusion, webcam/microphone, suspend/hibernate/resume all worked "out of the box"). The good folks at Frys (where I bought my system) were fully Linux-aware and helped me find a fully Linux-compatible laptop. Ubuntu installation/configuration on that system would pass the "12-pack" test -- I could have chugged a 12-pack of my favorite brew and still not have screwed up the installation.

As long as there are hardware OEM's who don't want to "play ball" with the Linux development community, you definitely don't want to buy a system without "test-booting" it first. The availability of Linux L:ive-CD's has made the "try before you buy" approach much easier.

[Chapmaniac]

I've come full-circle from Windows, through Linux and back to Windows. It took me a full-year to make this journey and I've learned a lot through the trials.

Windows may be buggy and prone to malware but, if you run it behind a firewall and keep Spybot Search & Destroy updated along with AVG Free, you won't have problem. Stay away from file sharing utilities whose files are riddled with trojans and you're sure to keep Windows in usable condition. Windows is also the number one works-with-anything-off-the-shelf operating system. That can't be said of Mac OS X or any flavor of Linux.

Linux does, in fact, run quicker on my laptop but also causes its cooling fans to run more often - and at top speed - forcing me to put it into hybernation or sleep mode to quiet them back down. And while Linux may be able to get you online wirelessly (if you're one of the lucky ones with the right hardware), you'll find your online options are diminished by your choice of OS. For example, Netflix' watch now" system is only offered for Windows. Certain news sites' video players will complain that you don't have a media player. DVDs with ROM content will expect to see Windows and, although Flash player does work now, there was a time when a certain Firefox update caused it to fail.

All in all, Windows still controls the lion's share of the market pie and, while Linux is forever up-and-coming, it remains the neglected step-child of operating systems. At less than 1% of web market share, Linux remains a simple tool for those with the time and knowledge to get and keep it running.

[The_Decider]

If it is "hit or miss" then what is windows?

Linux supports more hardware then any other OS ever created.

[aquaadverse]

Gnome network applet blows. The first thing I do is install WICD, a real network app:

http://wicd.sourceforge.net/download.php

It's been a while since I had the difficulties reported here. I was using ndiswrapper with my Broadcom based Dell mini pci-e card, got a replacement Intel for $10 from Ebay. I see a lot of problems with new Linux users trying several different things to enable the wireless, and as a result incompatible settings are written to the config files. I kind of hope Linux stays "Not ready for prime time". Anyone else scared of millions of Windows users running as Root because it's easier? See Vista UAC, -70% of people I ask have turned it off..

[rkrizan]

Try disabling "Roaming Mode" and try again. That's usually the problem.

[The_Decider]

Your problem is that you went for the hype distro. It is clunky and years behind.

You want a Linux distro with outstanding hardware support including wireless you should have picked openSuSE 10.3.

If you want to be taken seriously you should have done a little homework before choosing a distro.

[carloseton]

I have found that it is best to install Ubuntu with a live ethernet connection. This allows you to download restricted drivers when necessary. When I have done so, I have never experienced wifi problems on the machines I have performed installations on.

As such, I think that the "F" grade is a little extreme.