I have found my favorite OS/browser combo for doing what I usually do on the web, Ubuntu Linux and the Opera web browser.

My fight with Vista has gone on for over a year now and at best the struggle has been  a draw. Every time I get Vista configured to work the way I like, it finds another way to slow down, freeze and generally piss me off. Just booting into Windows is a lesson in patience. I have maybe 8 programs that run at startup, nearly all of them security oriented (sadly, a necessity with Windows). To use today as a typical example, it was 12 minutes before Windows was ready to go to work. Compare and contrast with Ubuntu, ready to go 20 seconds after starting its boot.

I installed Ubuntu in a dual-boot configuration planning on reviewing it then installing a real Linux OS for daily use, SUSE or maybe PclOS. In the past I’ve preferred KDE over Gnome, so I was prepared to dislike the basic version of Ubuntu. Well color me surprised. I not only liked Ubuntu with Gnome, but have decided to keep it and make it my default OS.

Much of the complaining I encouter in discussions about Linux center around useability. “I can’t do what I want to do in Linux” is a common refrain. That’s no doubt true for gamers, Photoshoppers and those addicted to their Windows-only applications.  That doesn’t describe me.

The primary uses I have for an operating system involve writing for the web, creating and maintaining websites and blogs, a limited amount of shopping at sites like Amazon for MP3s and keeping up with email and forums. There isn’t one of those activities that Linux can’t handle just as well, if not better, than Windows. Add the stability and security inherent in Linux and you can understand why I dread those times I have to boot back into Vista.

Lately Firefox has been a disappointment. Perhaps it’s because it seems to be approaching the level of bloat and sluggish response found in Internet Explorer with each new version. Granted, Firefox in Linux is vastly superior to its Windows countetrpart. Still, it’s just not the same browsing experience it was back with Firebird and Firefox 1.0.

Since Linux offers a host of browser types, I figured I’d do a comparison test. The clear winner was the browser I’ve long had installed in Windows but used infrequently, Opera. Since it renders web pages strictly according to web standards, pages that aren’t coded well look like crap. Firefox is more forgiving and I.E. doesn’t even pay attention to standards. Opera is fast, can import Firefox/I.E. bookmarks and has the usual options for type styles and security. The biggest obsticle to using Opera for everything are sites that are “best viewed” in Firefox or I.E. Some banking sites won’t accept Opera as a browser. So it’s still worthwhile to have the latest version of Firefox installed and on standby.

But for pure speed and ease of browsing and general web work, I don’t see how you can beat Opera in Ubuntu (unless maybe it’s Safari in OS X).

There are many good reasons to consider a move to Gnu/Linux as your primary operating system in 2009.Most of them have been discussed in other blogs and forums, so I won’t go into them all here. Instead I’ll just say that if you’re tired of dealing with Windows but can’t afford a Mac, this may be the year to consider a move to a free and powerful operating system, Gnu/Linux.

There are many versions available. This is one of the freedoms that Gnu/Linux offers. You aren’t restricted to a single configuration. Are you a media nut? There’s a version for you, with the most popular and useful media software preinstalled. Just need a basic OS to surf the web and perform office work? You’re in luck. Do you spend most of your time online updating your blog, tweaking your website, conversing in Friendfeed? You can set up Gnu/Linux to perfectly meet your needs. And none of this will cost you a dime.

There is a cost involved though. You’ll need to invest some time getting familiar with the Gnu/Linux file system, learning how to add and remove software and finding quality replacements for your old Windows-only (and very expensive) software like Office, Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

This can be daunting for someone completely unfamiliar with any OS other than Windows. But then, Windows can be daunting to someone completely unfamiliar with computers.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of help available online. One complaint about Gnu/Linux support sites is that too often they’re geared toward those somewhat comfortable with command lines and the Unix underpinnings of Gnu/Linux. Sometimes the people that contribute to these sites have little patience for the total newcomer. RTFM is a common bit of unhelpful advice to those unsure where to even find the manual.

There’s a way to avoid this situation. Start with a version of Gnu/Linux that strives to make it as easy as possible to migrate from Windows to Gnu/Linux and find a friendly forum where no one will hold your inexperience against you.

(uploaded from UbuntuStudio, resized in Gimp)

For the first solution I would recommend Ubuntu Linux. It’s a full-featured, stable version with a look and feel that should be familiar to those used to Windows. It can be installed on either laptops or desktop computers (I have it installed on both). You may need a bit of advice on partitioning your hard drive if you want to set up a dual-boot environment, Windows in one partition and Ubuntu in another. I usually recommend this setup as it avoids a complete divorce from Windows. You may have games or software that only works in Windows. Dual-booting allows you to switch back and forth between Windows and Gnu/Linux with a simple reboot whenever you need to change systems. Dual-booting also allows you to test drive Ubuntu without sacrificing your Windows setup. Don’t like Ubuntu? Just boot into Windows using your Windows installation disk, rebuild your boot loader and MBR, boot into Windows and delete the Gnu/Linux partition. That may sound complex, but it can be done safely and easily in under 5 minutes.

For the second solution I’d like to recommend the Ubuntu Tech Support Forum. It’s a brand new venture, opened today by Bruce Wagner. He announced his intention to start a new Ubuntu forum on Twitter, and since I’m a recent convert to Ubuntu myself, I just had to check it out. There’s not much to be seen there just yet, but the promise is evident.  If you are thinking of checking out Ubuntu you should definitely bookmark that forum and check back often. If you’re an Ubuntu guru, I’m sure Bruce would welcome your input.

For general information on Gnu/Linux from another friendly and informative source, I’d recommend the All Things Linux forum at Scot’s Newsletter forums. (Disclaimer: I’m an administrator of Scot’s forums, but my opinions as to the usefullness and freindly atmosphere of our Linux forum have been validated by many others.) The ATL forum is great for learning about Linux in all its forms, but Bruce’s forum is specifically geared toward Ubuntu.

There are worthwhile alternatives to the expensive, bloated and crash-prone Windows OS. It may present a bit of a learning curve, but so did Windows when you first encountered it. And the rewards of switching to an open source OS are great. I have every reason to believe you won’t regret looking into Gnu/Linux and Ubuntu.

StreamDesk is an application that allows you to watch streaming video like Ustream and podcasts without having to open a browser.

The application, which offers versions for both the Mac and Windows, consists of a viewing window and a left-side menu. Nothing fancy or complicated. StreamDesk comes prepopulated with quite a few feeds and you can easily add others. Think of it as an RSS reader for video broadcasts.

I’ve been using it for a couple of days now and consider it a keeper. I watched the space shuttle docking today on SpaceVidCast, which you’ll find on the default menu under “Ustream.tv.Streams”. Not once did the app freeze up or stutter.

If you enjoy watching podcasts I’d highly recommend StreamDesk.

From their site:

StreamDesk has its orgins in the early days of Chris Pirillo’s live stream and it all started as a Opera widget. Later versions were adapted for Vista Sidebar and eventually I discovered HTML Applications (HTAs) since they are html and javascript capable i was able to expand to the first revsions of the standalone version.

Eventually I opened it up to accepting requests and called the released product “KComputer Zone Widget Pack” with standalone installers for each streamer. The per streamer installer eventually got overwhelming and I made a bundle installer for them all but I made one vital mistake… I didn’t comment the code resulting in impossible to edit installer. The said isssues with the 1.0 bundle led me to starting from scatch (the standalone installers to the rescue) and version 2.0 of the bundle was born. I kept going on that path for a while but eventualy I made contact with Windows and Mac software developers.

I worked with both of the developers to get true standalone apps developed. The mac version was the first to be developed and released then later on the windows version was released.

Now back to current time…. the next generation version for windows is in development and the next gen mac version is in the works.
Developers:
Windows: David Kellaway
Mac: GranitW