At a quick glance of the titles, it is easy to think that Ubuntu and Xubuntu are almost the same. While Xubuntu is based off the regular version of Ubuntu, there are some differences. So which version do you use?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding which version is best to use. According to a BYU-Idaho student, and Linux power-user, “You just have to decide what is more important: eye-candy or performance.” When you start customizing your appearance, you will find that Ubuntu is more customizable than Xubuntu. There are plenty of options to get Xubuntu to look great, but it does seem that Ubuntu is little easier to customize and there are currently more themes available to download.
Speed is another issue. Xubuntu, with its standard settings, is less “bloated” than Ubuntu. Because of this, the response time is much quicker. The difference would probably not be quite as noticeable on a machine with higher specs, but the advantage would show more for people who do not have the newest and most up-to-date machines. Xubuntu is a great option for people who may have a computer that is a few years old, but it is great even on newer machines. Even if the difference is not too noticeable, it is definitely there. One of the main focuses of Xubuntu is that fast start-up time of about a minute to be fully loaded and ready to use.
The last main point that I would like to address is support. Ubuntu is the most commonly used version of Linux systems. Because of this, there is currently more information about Ubuntu than Xubuntu. This means that it is easier to find the help that you may need because it is more likely to find someone who may have experienced the same issue. When searching the web for help, and particularly searching for Xubuntu topics, it is important to watch what results are coming up because sometimes search engines will “correct” your Xubuntu search to Ubuntu results.
As an owner of different types of computers, my advice is to try and use both versions and go from there. Decide whether speed or appearance is most important factor. Also, consider how much support you might need down the road. Don't be of either, because both version are great.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
New Goodies for Xubuntu
If you like to use online chat, make lightning fast changes and customizations to your computer or really enjoy fast performance, the latest version of Xubuntu might be for you.
The students at BYU-Idaho who are Linux users who have tried the latest version of Xubuntu have really enjoyed it. One of the main features of this version of Xubuntu is that it is not pre-loaded with un-wanted and un-need software that just slows down your computer. It was designed to start up and perform very quickly.
One feature that is useful for many students is the program for chatting called Pigeon. This is great for many people because it is setup to be able to run many types of chatting, such as MSN and Yahoo Messengers, AOL and others. The great thing is that only one program is needed, instead of multiple programs if people use different chat rooms. It is also simple very intuitive and simple to setup.
BYU-Idaho students have also figured out the ease of using the terminal to customize their computers and change themes. Usually people have to download themes and spend time with the setup and installation. A discovery was recently made that with a lot of themes, all you have to do is copy a code that is given on the themes website, paste it into the terminal and let the operating system do the rest. It often times takes just a few seconds to get started and you can have your computer fully customized in just a few minutes with this feature.
Another advantage is for students who have older computers that are starting to slow down and do not want to buy new computers. This operating system is great because even on an older machine, you can still navigate and do your work very fast because of how light Xubuntu is on the operating system. It is a great free solution when buying a new computer is not possible or desired.
The students at BYU-Idaho who are Linux users who have tried the latest version of Xubuntu have really enjoyed it. One of the main features of this version of Xubuntu is that it is not pre-loaded with un-wanted and un-need software that just slows down your computer. It was designed to start up and perform very quickly.
One feature that is useful for many students is the program for chatting called Pigeon. This is great for many people because it is setup to be able to run many types of chatting, such as MSN and Yahoo Messengers, AOL and others. The great thing is that only one program is needed, instead of multiple programs if people use different chat rooms. It is also simple very intuitive and simple to setup.
BYU-Idaho students have also figured out the ease of using the terminal to customize their computers and change themes. Usually people have to download themes and spend time with the setup and installation. A discovery was recently made that with a lot of themes, all you have to do is copy a code that is given on the themes website, paste it into the terminal and let the operating system do the rest. It often times takes just a few seconds to get started and you can have your computer fully customized in just a few minutes with this feature.
Another advantage is for students who have older computers that are starting to slow down and do not want to buy new computers. This operating system is great because even on an older machine, you can still navigate and do your work very fast because of how light Xubuntu is on the operating system. It is a great free solution when buying a new computer is not possible or desired.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Ubuntu Uses at College
Computer software can be very expensive for college students. At BYU-Idaho, most students throughout their college years will be required to use certain software like PowerPoint, Word, Photoshop and others. These can be expensive programs, but there are many free alternatives.
Recently, Ubuntu released the newest version of their operating system. They have made this program so that you can add just about any freeware versions of software that you might need.
There are multiple free programs that college students can use as an alternative to spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on commercial software. Some examples are Open Office's Impress, which could be used similar to PowerPoint, or Writer as an alternative to Word. There is even Gimp which could be used similar to Photoshop.
These programs can be a great solution for students who are on a budget, or can not easily make time to make trips to campus to use the software. This can be available to them on their own computer in their own home free of cost.
Another option is that Ubuntu has made it possible for certain Windows programs to be used. If you have the software available, Ubuntu has a program called Wine that will allow certain windows programs, usually older versions, to be used in Linux. The advantage of this is that students can use Windows programs with Ubuntu's operating systems known speed.
For just about any program you can think of, there is a good chance that Ubuntu's repositories will have a free substitute version.
Recently, Ubuntu released the newest version of their operating system. They have made this program so that you can add just about any freeware versions of software that you might need.
There are multiple free programs that college students can use as an alternative to spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on commercial software. Some examples are Open Office's Impress, which could be used similar to PowerPoint, or Writer as an alternative to Word. There is even Gimp which could be used similar to Photoshop.
These programs can be a great solution for students who are on a budget, or can not easily make time to make trips to campus to use the software. This can be available to them on their own computer in their own home free of cost.
Another option is that Ubuntu has made it possible for certain Windows programs to be used. If you have the software available, Ubuntu has a program called Wine that will allow certain windows programs, usually older versions, to be used in Linux. The advantage of this is that students can use Windows programs with Ubuntu's operating systems known speed.
For just about any program you can think of, there is a good chance that Ubuntu's repositories will have a free substitute version.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Ardour for Ubuntu
Ardour is a computer-based recording system. It is made specifically to record music. There are many great features of Ardour. One thing that is good about it is that it is completely free and works on Linux systems, such as Ubuntu, and the Mac OSX.
To get the latest version of Ardour, all you have to do is go the synaptic package manager and download Ubuntu Studio, which will automatically download Ardour and Q-Jack, which will be needed to operate Ardour.
Ardour is primarily made by Paul Davis and the goal of this software is to be for provide a program that can be for professional use.
There are a few great features with the new version of Ardour. You can edit and record multiple tracks. You can input as many sound sources as you want, you are only limited by the hardware that you are using. You can also put your effects on specific tracks and monitor in real-time so that you can hear what your effects are doing as you are recording. You can also record in a floating 32-bit format for higher resolution and headroom.
Some of the features that it has for editing are dragging, trimming, time stretching, copying, pasting, beat detection ect. It has enough features that it really can be used to get professional sound quality.
One aspect of Ardour that I have recently found is the high quality of sound. Because it is used on lighter operation system and the program itself is very efficient, the sound is recorded more directly and keeps a more pure quality to the sound. This is great for trying to get a smooth and professional sound.
Ardour is always improving and is a great program to use. One thing that is nice also is that you can offer any suggestions to the creator. Sometimes these suggestions get used to help make future versions of Ardour a little better.
I personally have used multiple programs such as Sonar (Cakewalk by Roland), Adobe Audition, Logic and multiple other programs. While each of these has its features that I like, I really enjoy using Ardour because of how it keeps such a pure and natural sound. It also has many wonderful sounding effects that sound great. I would suggest to anyone to give it a try. It may be a solution to spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on commercial software, and in some ways is actually much better.
To get the latest version of Ardour, all you have to do is go the synaptic package manager and download Ubuntu Studio, which will automatically download Ardour and Q-Jack, which will be needed to operate Ardour.
Ardour is primarily made by Paul Davis and the goal of this software is to be for provide a program that can be for professional use.
There are a few great features with the new version of Ardour. You can edit and record multiple tracks. You can input as many sound sources as you want, you are only limited by the hardware that you are using. You can also put your effects on specific tracks and monitor in real-time so that you can hear what your effects are doing as you are recording. You can also record in a floating 32-bit format for higher resolution and headroom.
Some of the features that it has for editing are dragging, trimming, time stretching, copying, pasting, beat detection ect. It has enough features that it really can be used to get professional sound quality.
One aspect of Ardour that I have recently found is the high quality of sound. Because it is used on lighter operation system and the program itself is very efficient, the sound is recorded more directly and keeps a more pure quality to the sound. This is great for trying to get a smooth and professional sound.
Ardour is always improving and is a great program to use. One thing that is nice also is that you can offer any suggestions to the creator. Sometimes these suggestions get used to help make future versions of Ardour a little better.
I personally have used multiple programs such as Sonar (Cakewalk by Roland), Adobe Audition, Logic and multiple other programs. While each of these has its features that I like, I really enjoy using Ardour because of how it keeps such a pure and natural sound. It also has many wonderful sounding effects that sound great. I would suggest to anyone to give it a try. It may be a solution to spending hundreds and thousands of dollars on commercial software, and in some ways is actually much better.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Ubuntu Releases Newest Version
The newest version of Ubuntu (9.04) was released on April 23, 2009. Ubuntu is a division of the Linux/Unix operating systems.
Linux is an operating system for computers such as Mac OSX and Windows for PCs. Under Linux, there are different versions such as Ubuntu, Dynabolic and others. The Linux operating system is used by about 3.8 percent of the computer users population as of September 2008. Of the 3.8 percent of users who use Linux, about 30 percent use the Ubuntu system. Ubuntu is the most popular version of Linux used today.
There are many advantages that Ubuntu users have found for using this operation instead, or along with other operating systems. One main advantage is that it is a free operating system and most of the software is available for free as well.
Ubuntu comes standard with the Firefox Internet browser, Open Office (which is comparable to programs such as Microsoft Word, Power Point, ect. It also comes with Gimp, which is comparable to Adobe Photoshop. Whatever program you are looking for, there is most likely of free Linux version available.
One of the highlights of Ubuntu 9.04 is that is startup time is very quick. That was one of the main focus when compiling this new addition.
Ubuntu updates its system every six months. You can tell when the version was released by the number associated with it. For example, version 9.04 was released in 2009 during the month of April.
Ubuntu is also very easy to install. You simply download the version that you would prefer which is about 699 mb. You then install the small Wubi installer for Windows. This allows for easy instillation on your computer. From there, you can research what programs you need and use the synoptic package manager to find the software that you need. Installation of software is about as simple as selecting what you need, checking for install, then allowing Ubuntu to make the changes.
Each version of Linux provides service such as updates and support for about two years. After that, you just simply update by downloading one of the newer versions. The next planned system will be in October of 2009.
Ubuntu is also helpful for those with older computers because the system requirements are as little as having 256 mb or ram. Since it is a small and “light running operating system” most computers can hand Ubuntu very well and can run very efficiently. There is also a very low chance of ever getting a virus because you have to manually allow it.
Linux can be for the beginning computer uses, but is also enjoyed by advanced users because it allows all of the code to be viewed and modified by the users.
Linux is an operating system for computers such as Mac OSX and Windows for PCs. Under Linux, there are different versions such as Ubuntu, Dynabolic and others. The Linux operating system is used by about 3.8 percent of the computer users population as of September 2008. Of the 3.8 percent of users who use Linux, about 30 percent use the Ubuntu system. Ubuntu is the most popular version of Linux used today.
There are many advantages that Ubuntu users have found for using this operation instead, or along with other operating systems. One main advantage is that it is a free operating system and most of the software is available for free as well.
Ubuntu comes standard with the Firefox Internet browser, Open Office (which is comparable to programs such as Microsoft Word, Power Point, ect. It also comes with Gimp, which is comparable to Adobe Photoshop. Whatever program you are looking for, there is most likely of free Linux version available.
One of the highlights of Ubuntu 9.04 is that is startup time is very quick. That was one of the main focus when compiling this new addition.
Ubuntu updates its system every six months. You can tell when the version was released by the number associated with it. For example, version 9.04 was released in 2009 during the month of April.
Ubuntu is also very easy to install. You simply download the version that you would prefer which is about 699 mb. You then install the small Wubi installer for Windows. This allows for easy instillation on your computer. From there, you can research what programs you need and use the synoptic package manager to find the software that you need. Installation of software is about as simple as selecting what you need, checking for install, then allowing Ubuntu to make the changes.
Each version of Linux provides service such as updates and support for about two years. After that, you just simply update by downloading one of the newer versions. The next planned system will be in October of 2009.
Ubuntu is also helpful for those with older computers because the system requirements are as little as having 256 mb or ram. Since it is a small and “light running operating system” most computers can hand Ubuntu very well and can run very efficiently. There is also a very low chance of ever getting a virus because you have to manually allow it.
Linux can be for the beginning computer uses, but is also enjoyed by advanced users because it allows all of the code to be viewed and modified by the users.
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