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Ubuntu linux good enough as primary os for noobs?

S

slackerinabox

Lifer
My roommate's laptop needs to have an OS re-install (windows is saying that a critical system file is missing and needs to be re-installed yet she doesn't have the install cd). Instead of buying windows again, I suggested that she let me install Ubuntu linux, since she only uses her computer to check her email and myspace.

Good idea? Bad idea? Am I in for a big headache or is it a simple, easy to use interface?
 
one thing though, does she still have the original key? cause if so, i doubt MS would care if you borrowed someone else's windows CD. well of course MS wants More money, but you aren't doing anything illegal if you're still using her original legit key.
 
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
one thing though, does she still have the original key? cause if so, i doubt MS would care if you borrowed someone else's windows CD. well of course MS wants More money, but you aren't doing anything illegal if you're still using her original legit key.
Click to expand...

it's an older laptop - maybe 3 years old? Came with Windows XP Home edition and the key sticker is there but not in good shape, I can barely read it. I used the restore CD that came with my dell (don't judge me!) and it installed but activation, obviously, didn't work. I thought about doing an activation crack but I aint going to do anything illegal for her.. No skin off of my back if she has to buy a new copy of windows, I was just giving her an option if Ubuntu was point and click easy enough for day to day use.
 
Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Originally posted by: ForumMaster
one thing though, does she still have the original key? cause if so, i doubt MS would care if you borrowed someone else's windows CD. well of course MS wants More money, but you aren't doing anything illegal if you're still using her original legit key.
Click to expand...

it's an older laptop - maybe 3 years old? Came with Windows XP Home edition and the key sticker is there but not in good shape, I can barely read it. I used the restore CD that came with my dell (don't judge me!) and it installed but activation, obviously, didn't work. I thought about doing an activation crack but I aint going to do anything illegal for her.. No skin off of my back if she has to buy a new copy of windows, I was just giving her an option if Ubuntu was point and click easy enough for day to day use.
Click to expand...

from what I've seen of ubuntu it is pretty easy to use. but it is different. the software will all be different from what she used to and what her peers use. unless she has some computer familiarity/willingness to learn/friends who can help her, I wouldn't recommend linux.
 
Very easy to use if all she'll be doing is checking her email and browsing the web.

Why not just let her try it out? If she has a really hard time with it she can always switch back to Windows. If it does the job then she'll be saving a bit of money and won't have to worry about malware/viruses.
 
What is it being used for? If generally for web browsing, email, instant messaging, office etc, I'd say go for it. Applications for everything included, Firefox, Gaim, OpenOffice, and gimp for photo editing. Ubuntu for general use requires no terminal usage and works great. What I would suggest would be to give it a try and see how it goes, if it works out for her awesome, otherwise you can always go back to windows xp, and at least you tried.
 
I'd go for it if you know how to use it. Getting everything set up can be a little tricky, although automatix does help there. Once everything is up and running, it is extremely easy to use for what you mentioned. A big part of it is just dependant on the install. If the distro plays well with all the hardware, then it should be fine. Really, it depends on how much time you're willing to spend. I'd recommend giving it an initial try, and see how it goes. It installs in like 20 minutes. Since you're doing a fresh install, install it rather than trying the live cd. It isn't the same experience. One other thought, does she need to run on battery often? Linux gets horrible battery life with laptops, so if she needs battery life, I wouldn't bother with linux.
 
If you know enough about Linux to help her with technical support till she's comfortable enough to do what she needs to do with it, I don't see why not.

It will probably benefit her greatly in the long run.
 
Originally posted by: Hyperblaze
If you know enough about Linux to help her with technical support till she's comfortable enough to do what she needs to do with it, I don't see why not.

It will probably benefit her greatly in the long run.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 

What brand of laptop does she have?

If it is a Compaq, you can often use a Compaq Restore CD and not have to activate.

I might have an extra around here.

 
If your there to support her using Linux then it's no problem with Noobs.

My roomate dropped out of computer class in community college because she couldn't keep up with the rest of the class when it came to using Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows.

I have her using Debian and it's been no issues besides some difficulty with a certain minority number online videos that require Windows media player support.

I don't see any reason to waste your and her time with Windows if you know Linux enough to support it for her.

If she doesn't like it then you can always go back to windows. It's not like any decision you make will be perminate
 
Originally posted by: mect
Linux gets horrible battery life with laptops, so if she needs battery life, I wouldn't bother with linux.
Click to expand...
The battery life I get with my Compaq R3210CA under linux is equivalent to what I got with XP (~2 hours). As long as power saving stuff is setup properly (cpufreq, etc.) I don't see why it would be much different.
 
Originally posted by: xcript
Originally posted by: mect
Linux gets horrible battery life with laptops, so if she needs battery life, I wouldn't bother with linux.
Click to expand...
The battery life I get with my Compaq R3210CA under linux is equivalent to what I got with XP (~2 hours). As long as power saving stuff is setup properly (cpufreq, etc.) I don't see why it would be much different.
Click to expand...

i had the same experience with XP and Xubuntu on my current laptop. they both get about 2 hours or so of battery life.
 
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