Ubuntu 9.04 released • Hacker News Board

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#11

Post by Jem » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:29 PM UTC

dschobel wrote: post #4

quoderat wrote: post #2

I am not an anti-Microsoft person, but after having used Linux now without even Windows installed for two years straight, it is actually mentally painful to use Windows. Yeah, use whatever works best for you -- but using Windows these days feels like I'm on my Big Wheel when I was three years old. In a rubber room.

I've never met someone who used any version of windows because they thought it was a reasonable way to interface with your computer, always for application compatibility.

I've been using it for about 10 years. Application compatibility is only a small part of why I stick with it.

(I have tried multiple Linux distributions and OS X)

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#12

Post by jameskpolk » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:33 PM UTC

twopoint718 wrote: post #8

Again, not an anti-MS person here, I support a large number of Windows clients, but it is not my OS of choice. Maybe there are user interface tweaks that one can perform on Windows (do tell) but I can never seem to get it as minimal as running something like fluxbox on Linux (to say nothing of ratpoison, stumpwm, or xmonad). My very unscientific poll of the computer support staff at my office shows that there is flux…

One option is LiteStep (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiteStep), which can make the Windows UI like AfterStep. A friend of mine uses it and claims it works very well.

Some other shell replacements exist, but I've never tried any of them.

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#13

Post by Mongoose » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:34 PM UTC

sant0sk1 wrote: post #5

I'm excited for the next iteration when they revamp the default theme. Ubuntu owns but it needs to look prettier out of the box to really grab prospective switchers.

People have been saying that for 2 years. "The next version" is always when they'll dump the sordid brown.

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#14

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:38 PM UTC

twopoint718 wrote: post #8

Again, not an anti-MS person here, I support a large number of Windows clients, but it is not my OS of choice. Maybe there are user interface tweaks that one can perform on Windows (do tell) but I can never seem to get it as minimal as running something like fluxbox on Linux (to say nothing of ratpoison, stumpwm, or xmonad). My very unscientific poll of the computer support staff at my office shows that there is flux…

[deleted]

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#15

Post by chancho » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:40 PM UTC

quoderat wrote: post #2

I am not an anti-Microsoft person, but after having used Linux now without even Windows installed for two years straight, it is actually mentally painful to use Windows. Yeah, use whatever works best for you -- but using Windows these days feels like I'm on my Big Wheel when I was three years old. In a rubber room.

Can someone with knowledge of the underlying OS mechanisms answer this for me: What is the deal with file access on Windows? In Linux (on the Mac too, I think) I can move, copy and delete files freely, regardless of what applications currently have that file open. On Windows, I always run into some situation where it won't let me do what I want to do because the file is open. So I have to hunt through 10-20 windows to see who has it (9 times out of 10 its a command prompt or explorer window holding on to a directory that I'm trying to delete.)

I don't use windows often so maybe I'm exaggerating, but this is the single most infuriating windows usability nitpick I have. Have they fixed this in Vista or 7?

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#16

Post by jherdman » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:47 PM UTC

mitko wrote: post #9

dschobel wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never met someone who used any version of windows because they thought it was a reasonable way to interface with your computer, always for application compatibility.

I do. On my work computer the OS is Ubuntu, and on my home computer it is windows 7. Personally, I like the Windows interface.

He's not just talking about the GUI though. He's talking about the actual usage of the machine. Personally I find Windows to be a complete pain to use. The console is weak, the way files are laid out on the system irritates me, and their politics as a whole stinks.

To each their own, but I concur with the GP.

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#17

Post by Jem » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:47 PM UTC

chancho wrote: post #15

quoderat wrote: post #2

I am not an anti-Microsoft person, but after having used Linux now without even Windows installed for two years straight, it is actually mentally painful to use Windows. Yeah, use whatever works best for you -- but using Windows these days feels like I'm on my Big Wheel when I was three years old. In a rubber room.

Can someone with knowledge of the underlying OS mechanisms answer this for me: What is the deal with file access on Windows? In Linux (on the Mac too, I think) I can move, copy and delete files freely, regardless of what applications currently have that file open. On Windows, I always run into some situation where it won't let me do what I want to do because the file is open. So I have to hunt through 10-20 windows t…

I don't know whether or not it's fixed in more recent versions, but there are programs which get around this for you (by killing processes, or telling you which process is using the file/folder). E.g. Unlocker http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#18

Post by cujo » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:49 PM UTC

Mongoose wrote: post #13

sant0sk1 wrote: post #5

I'm excited for the next iteration when they revamp the default theme. Ubuntu owns but it needs to look prettier out of the box to really grab prospective switchers.

People have been saying that for 2 years. "The next version" is always when they'll dump the sordid brown.

I don't think brown is the problem. The problem is that their brown is orange.

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#19

Post by sho » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:56 PM UTC

dschobel wrote: post #4

quoderat wrote: post #2

I am not an anti-Microsoft person, but after having used Linux now without even Windows installed for two years straight, it is actually mentally painful to use Windows. Yeah, use whatever works best for you -- but using Windows these days feels like I'm on my Big Wheel when I was three years old. In a rubber room.

I've never met someone who used any version of windows because they thought it was a reasonable way to interface with your computer, always for application compatibility.

I wouldn't even say that. In most cases I'd say it's all about familiarity - both OS and application.

Perhaps a project manager needs MS Project, or an architect needs AutoCad or something but for the "teenage girl" demographic you would be hard pressed to find any particular application they absolutely needed that doesn't exist on Linux, or there isn't a ready counterpart (eg Adium instead of MSN Messenger). They're just not used to it and dislike anything unfamiliar, since computers are basically mystic black boxes anyway.

I think for many typical users it's simply a matter of preferring something they (mostly) know how to use.

Re: Ubuntu 9.04 released

#20

Post by sant0sk1 » Thu, Apr 23, 2009, 2:56 PM UTC

windsurfer wrote: post #7

sant0sk1 wrote: post #5

I'm excited for the next iteration when they revamp the default theme. Ubuntu owns but it needs to look prettier out of the box to really grab prospective switchers.

I think it's refreshing that Ubuntu doesn't go for the "shiny and blue" feel that Vista 7 and OS X are going for. Also, 9.04 ships with 3 community themes that are very attractive.

I don't fault them for not copying OS X like Microsoft did, but they do need to improve the default.

Optional community themes don't help much because people need to turn the machine on and think:

"Ooohhhh"

not

"Hmm, I bet I can make this look cooler if I go searching through the Preferences menu"