The Geek Brewery

Hey guys, it’s now almost a week since I moved to Linux. And yeah, as I always say, it was fun — really fun.

I am an eight-year Windows user. In short, I grew up with Microsoft and other proprietary software. It is only at this stage of my life that I decided to go open-source. To go for something that is for a greater cause.

I admit that it was a bit hard for me to adjust to the new environment especially when using the terminal (Command Prompt or MS DOS in Windows). It took me time to study the terminal codes just so to look cool and geeky.

Now, ideas are scrambling on my mind. So now, I am making this nonsugarcoated review. A real, authentic and genuine review from an eight-year Windows user.

Machine Specifications

Operating System: Linux Mint (Ubuntu derivative)
Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 (1.9GHz dual-core)
Memory: 2GB
Dedicated Video Memory: 64MB
Video Memory (Dedicated+Shared): 399MB
Hard Disk: 120GB 5400rpm

Linux Mint is a great Linux distribution for first-timers like me. It contains most of the codecs required to play your typical audio and video files. It is also equipped with the necessary players for your multimedia needs.

On my system, Linux Mint was so far stable. Seldom do I experience program crashes. It was swift, even with Advanced Desktop Effects enabled.

If you’re worrying about office applications, it is equipped with OpenOffice. You may have tried OpenOffice before and categorized it as a Loser as I did before. But hey, I recommend you to reconsider your prejudgment. Why don’t you give it another try? I used OpenOffice for most of the House Council works. Also, is the only complete Office suite I knew that has the feature (without using a PDF printer) to produce PDF files. How cool is that? It’s also open-source, so you have the freedom to modify, redistribute, copy and study the software without breaking applicable laws. No more need to commit another crime.

Interfacewise, it is really good — better than Windows shall I say. Desktop effects were astonishing. You could choose different animations for minimizing, maximizing, opening and closing windows. For me, the Desktop Cube was the coolest of them all. Check the screenshots below, how cool is that?

If you think you ain’t geek enough to install software in Linux, that’s definitely not a problem. Linux Mint is equipped with Synaptics Package Manager. Just open it, mark everything you need and click Apply. The marked software will be downloaded for you and installed in no time.

So that not to make this review as praiseful and 100% positive, I really had problems when I tried to do some coding work. Before, I used Adobe Dreamweaver CS3 for my PHP, xHTML and CSS needs. I tried to use Bluefish, a software I downloaded using Synaptics Package Manger but it was really different. It was harder than I thought. I was cramming an app and so what I did was restarted my laptop and booted up my Windows Vista and voila, Dreamweaver is back! As to achieve my goal of migrating all my tasks to Linux, I am now looking for a great alternatve. Gladly I saw this site Osalt.com, a site that offers Open-Source alternatives for proprietary software like Dreamweaver.

I’m running out of time. Before I end this one, I’m gonna show you my ultimate favorite in Linux. It’s the wonderful Terminal equipped with Fortunes. It gives you random jokes/quotes/foresights everytime you open a Terminal windows/tab. Oh, before I forget, you can tab out (open multiple tabs) Terminal. Some screenshots:

That’s all. Anyway, I think I found my Dreamweaver alternative. It’s Quanta Plus!!