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!! 
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[...] Original post by Mikko [...]
Welcome to Linux! I hope you continue using it. I’ve never met a developer who didn’t love Linux after they gave it a fair chance.
That Quantum Plus looks pretty cool. I’ve used Nvu for some real simple HTML, but I usually wrote my own CSS. My main language is Perl, and I usually don’t depend on an IDE or anything for writing scripts (I write the scripts inside a terminal with Emacs, and then test them inside a virtual machine before uploading them to my website).
You can get Dreamweaver itself running quite well in Linux using Wine. Look into that if you need to. It worked great for me.
Sorry, I can’t live without my Photoshop and other programs which, unfortunately, aren’t compatible with Linux.
<3 the interface though.
@Dane: I believe Photoshop works on Wine.:) Give it a try.:)
@Conrad: Yay! Welcome to Linux.:) I switched from Windows to Linux this sem only. I am currently into Ubuntu, but I think I’ll give Linux Mint a try, and then I’ll go to OpenSuse. Distro hopping eh?:D hehe Linux is love.
Kroaky’s last blog post..Christian the Lion
I’ve read about Wine running windows apps on Linux. I want to shift to linux because of it’s stability and efficiency compared to Windows.
I tried ubuntu and linux I was not disappointed.
rian’s last blog post..from cebu with love
*its.
peace.
rian’s last blog post..from cebu with love
inggit ako dito T___T
Jehzeel Laurente’s last blog post..May New Post na si Jehzlau!
gusto niyo ng pang-nerd? archlinux.org marami kayong matututunan diyan tungkol sa linux, pero madali lang matuto basta magbasa ng wiki, pramis hindi sayang ang oras niyo diyan
[...] I finally migrated to Linux. [...]
kuya, alam mo ba kung panu matatanggal ung GRUB loader ng linux?
Jenelle’s last blog post..January 2009 Goals
kuya, alam mo ba kung panu matatanggal ung GRUB loader ng linux?
Jenelle’s last blog post..Lovin’ Linux
I dont know about the media players for the linux and so many software dont run on the linux as photoshop and photo editor etc.
Waww kuya…Astig naman ng setup mo.Try mo daw from mag-assemble ng Linux from scratch. Hehehe. Wla lang. Lingaw. Try mo SLAX based…
hi there! I just got a copy of the latest version of Ubuntu. The Ubuntu 10.04. I just got acquainted with it and found out I could not install my Globe Tattoo. Is there a way to install this? Please help if you could.
Thanks a lot.
wow. you must have a great devotion to open source technology. keep it up and keep it free.
linux rocks .. me on ubuntu 10.04
See my blog post at http://linuxph.wordpress.com/2010/09/30/globe-tattoo-on-linux-mint-9 for the step-by-step procedure on using Globe Tattoo with Linux Mint 9