Ubuntu 14.04 LTS replacement for Windows XP?

Every couple of years I download the latest version of Ubuntu Linux and try it out. Generally I'm disappointed in its installation, operation, user interface and software applications.

So what has changed?


Firstly a new LTS (Long Term Support) version called Trusty Tahr with a generally liked new user interface and the end of support for good, old Windows XP. I downloaded the Desktop version ISO and installed it on a DELL Optiplex GX520 compact tower the a 3GHz Intel Pentium D and 2Gb memory; i.e. a typical ten year old computer. Firstly the installation went extremely smoothly and for once I didn't have to use the command line/terminal window at all. It even came pre-loaded with the latest versions of useful applications like LibreOffice, Firefox, Thunderbird and a neat photo management application called Shotwell.

What I was left with a modern looking desktop interface that appears to be better and less scary than Windows 8 Metro and is easier to use. I was easily able to add my preferred Google Chrome browser. I even played Forge of Empires on it.

I'm getting a lot of concerned customers calling me about the expiration of Windows XP. After going through the usual options of a new Windows 8 PC, not worth upgrading a five year old computer, buying a reconditioned one, etc. this seems a great value solution to just load this onto their old hardware. It is another option that can be considered. A lot of my customers just want to surf the web, read emails, load digital photos, etc. Ubuntu 14.04 is a really good way of doing just this.

So the Linux desktop has finally found a reason to exist. A great piece of software and an opportunity. I used to program Unix System V for a living so the command line interface is no stranger to me but I just hate using it to do simple things like install applications.  My only concern is why did they have to put the windows close button on the left like a Mac?  95% of the world's users expect to see it on the right.

Going to sleep

I've never been a great fan of sleeping or hibernating computers. Traditionally it took awhile to happen, then a longer while to come back on again, then a wait to restore the Internet connection and then the applications would often crash. Hardly worth the hassle and the power savings made were dubious.

Things have changed though, I've started to use it more often both on demand when I've finished using the computer and after quarter-of-an-hour when I just walk away. The difference is modern hardware and software has improved the response times. On systems with SSD hard drives the response time is down to a couple of seconds and that includes the Internet re-connection and Windows and applications seem more resilient to hibernate and sleep actions. Also modern CPU and associated hardware take much less power drain these days and power supply units are more power efficient.

In these green, energy saving times when your energy bill rises in jumps it makes more sense now to use sleep and hibernate.