Ubuntu - Once again with feeling
For the past two years I’ve been desperately trying to switch over to some Linux distribution and once and for all turning my back on Windows. One concrete outcome of this battle with myself was that I switched to Windows xp after totally erasing Windows 2000 to get myself to work on debian linux (which I had installed in a seperate partition). Already I have been changing my software preferences away from commercial software packages to open source ones, preferably ones who are platform-independent. Now with the release of Ubuntu Feisty Fawn - and specially with the release of Ubuntu Studio - I thought, I’d try it again - and right now I’m typing these lines working under Feisty Fawn.
Let me start with how I use my computer every day, since this is what can give an impression of what motivations and problems i run into on my way to open source heaven..
The Good
Office
Like most people, i do some word processing every now and then, but for me word processing was never a real issue. I must admit to never being able to use the front-runner of open source alternatives to microsoft office openoffice extensively but at least I have it installed and ready for use at all times.. ;-|
Aside from that, I use Adobe Acrobat to create pdf-files. I’d even started using Scribus to make flyers and such.. So in the office sector, there is no problem for me in switching to linux..
Graphics
For most of the presentations, documentations and some web-graphics I use the vector-based application Inkscape. In my experience it’s much more effective than huge packages like Corel Draw (which I’ve hated for as long as I’ve knew it). The ability to produce easily changeable (and scriptable for web usage) svg-files isn’t the only advantage. To me the ease of navigation and use (panning and zooming functionalities are very intuitive in Inkscape) is one of the more interesting features that are lacking in Corel Draw.
For image manipulation from time to time, I use Gimp, which serves all my needs after I’ve been used to Photoshop for some time. No problems here either!
Internet
Ok, this is just for record: Of course, using Firefox, Thunderbird and some ssh-client won’t be a problem under Linux. Also the use of Azureus to download from the bittorrent-network and all those instant messaging systems (including skype) isn’t a problem.. I’m looking forward to using podcast-clients more in the future..
Programming
I’ve been involved in writing applications for automation processes in both LabView and c#/vb.Net. Apparently, LabView is available for Linux, I’d have to see, if I can get a copy to work with from home. And now I’ve realized, that there is an IDE for .Net-development under linux, which I didn’t know about until now: Monodevelop, which has been a spin-off of sharp-develop, which I’ve been using under Windows. I’d have to test it, but it seems to be sufficient. It even supports vb.net.
As for the development of applications for .Net Compact Framework, that could be a little bit tricky.
The Bad
PDA
I don’t even know, if I’m able to connect my windows mobile pda to the linux system.. There is that project SynCE, but it doesn’t seem to work properly at this time.
Of course, if the aim is to simply exchange data between linux and a windows mobile pda, then I can always use WM5torage, which transforms my pda into a card reader, which is accessible through linux..
Professional
For my work at the university i need to use ptc’s Pro/Engineer - or any CAD-package really. I’m still on the hunt for a good practical open source CAD application, but right now, it doesn’t look very good. I guess ptc has a linux version of Pro/Engineer, but acquiring a license for that will be a fit..
The Ugly
My biggest problem with Linux right now is the performance and the use of multimedia applications. Though by now, there are so many multimedia applications and solutions for linux, I’m searching for one, that could be an alternative to my choice under windows:
I’ve become used to using Inmatrix’s ZoomPlayer, which is a commercial application. What I like most about Zoomplayer is the ability to change nearly anything in the way it handles media files (as i, which codecs and what display mode it uses). I’ve been told, that MPlayer or VLC are good alternatives, but until now, I can’t say, I’ve been able to confirm that. Right now, I’m using a variety of media players that come with ubuntu ranging from Totem and gxine to MPlayer and VLC. There are simply some files, I can’t play back using one or all of the installed applications!
Furthermore, I haven’t seen the usability of ZoomPlayer reproduced in any other media player (be it for the windows platform or any other). Every single command in ZoomPlayer can be controlled using a shortcut. Changing the zoom factor is a matter of pressing “+” or “-”, changing the aspect ratio can be done either with the use of the mouse or with a keyboard shortcut. In most other media players, it’s not even possible to change the aspect ratio of a given video. In ZoomPlayer, one is able to pan through the time-line using two ranges simply by pressing a button. I tried that using Totem and VLC but their pan-ranges are fixed and can’t be overridden!
Also, try and find a good media player, that has such an incredibly powerful OSD. In ZoomPlayer, one can search for media, select and add it to the playlist, interact with all dvd-functions and adjust the color levels of the video simply using the keyboard! Why isn’t there a linux version of this wonderful piece of software?
Right now, this is my biggest problem!
The Best
The main reason that motivated me to retry using Ubuntu are the video processing and cutting applications that i want to use. I’m trying to find out, if Kino, Synfig and specially Cinelerra are worth the trouble. I hope they are, since I need those applications and some more to try and create some videos..
I didn’t mention, that I use Blender, but that goes without question..
Open Source, linux | 
Omar | 15. Mai 2007
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