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I also started another new knitting project from “One More Skein“.  I am knitting myself a new washcloth using the Pencil Sketch pattern.  I started using one of the knitted washcloths I made for the Co-op sale, and I fell in love.  It is so much nicer than using the store-bought kind, so I am making myself a second.  This way I can actually wash my first washcloth .

The pattern includes a chart, which is not something I am familiar with, and it has been quite a learning experience.  There are definitely some mistakes, but I have learned a lot, and I am very excited to see the finished project.

While I was enjoying the snow and knitting, I also tried out our new Apple TV and the Boxee Beta app to start catching up on LOST episodes. Misleading name aside, the Apple TV is actually a set-top box that allows you to watch TV shows or movies, stream podcasts, listen to music, or view photos all through your television.

Despite a few moments of jerky video, it was a great experience. Using the Apple TV and Boxee, I was able to access Hulu and all 5 seasons of LOST on my TV totally free of cost.   This is especially exciting because Hulu allows you to watch pretty much all of the major TV networks’ shows (everything I watch except American Idol and Survivor is available).

Before we got our Apple TV, I was forced to watch shows on Hulu either by sitting at my desk or hooking up my laptop up to the TV. Now I can easily watch the shows from the comfort of my couch without any added steps.  There are still a few bugs in the system, and the threat of internet outages is a deterant, but I could see this a potential cable tv replacement in the not-so-distant future.

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Even though I work in the technology industry, I have never considered myself to be a “real” computer geek, and I feel this puts me in a good position to review Linux from the perspective of a less technical, more typical PC user.

Pros:

Customizable:
Linux is highly customizable. Unlike Windows and Mac, you have total control over the user interface. I have my desktop setup to look like a mash-up of Mac and Windows, taking the best from both interfaces, while my mom’s Linux laptop is setup to look and feel almost exactly like Windows. There are numerous websites you can download themes from, or you can use the customization tools to create your own. It also has a lot of built-in “eye candy” so you can make your computer as flashy or plain as your heart desires, all controlled by simple on/off switches.

Price:
Ubuntu Linux is absolutely free. There is no astronomical licensing fee as with Windows or Mac, and a majority of the programs available to run on Linux are also free. This is made possible because Linux is an open source program. This means the source code or backend is open to programmers to use and manipulate and is not created for profit. The open source nature of Linux also allows for free software, because developers don’t have to pay fees to access the source code when creating their software.

Program Installation:
Installing programs on Linux is an absolute breeze. There is a very easy to use program that comes standard with Ubuntu called Synaptic Package manager, which allows you to search for programs by name and install them with the click of a button. It also manages dependent programs and ensures that they are installed at the same time. This makes adding new programs quick and painless. And because Linux is open source, there are a wide variety of programs available that will allow you to do nearly anything you could ever want.

Updates/Support:
Because Linux is constantly under development, it is constantly being improved and updated. As new features become available or security updates are completed you are notified and installation is as simple as clicking a button. Also, Linux has an amazing online support community. Because the primary users of Linux are members of the technology community, there is an abundance of people who have experienced and solved problems that might arise.

VirtualBox/ wine:
Using a combination of VirtualBox, a program used to run virtual instances of operating systems, and wine, a program that allows you to run Windows programs natively in Linux, I am able to run any Windows programs I still find necessary. While I have found open source programs to replace a lot of my Windows applications, there are still a few that I rely on, including Microsoft Money, Picasa, Adobe Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. Having Virualbox and wine allows me to have the best of both worlds.

Stability:
Linux is an amazingly stable operating system. It is a rare occasion that I have to restart my computer, and unlike Windows, Linux rarely crashes. I have been able to leave my computer up and running for months at a time with no loss of resources.

Cons:

Compatibility:
Because Linux is an open source program as opposed to a commercial offering by a large corporation, there are sometime compatibility progoblems. Often new programs and applications are not developed for Linux in the first round of production, if ever. While there are usually open source alternatives available, sometimes you just want to use a program you are familiar with that has all the features you are looking for. In addition to compatability issues with software, sometimes very new or vendor-specific hardware is not as well supported. However, common or even older hardware is usually very easy to use with Linux.

Availability:
For non-computer-geeks, migrating to Linux can be difficult. While it is becoming more common, Linux is not often installed on computers from the manufacturer. This leaves users to intall the new operating system themselves or with the help of their local computer geek. For someone who operates from the “plug-and-play” mentality, installing your own operating system can be very overwhelming.

Learning Curve:
For Windows users especially, Linux is a very different operating system. It is based on a different file structure, which can make navigating the folders and files on your computer difficult at the beginning. With the myriad options that come with customizing your Linux install, it is also easy for new users to become overwhelmed. While it allows you to set up your user interface in just about any configuration you desire, it can be time consuming wading through all the options and deciding what works best for you.

Conclusion:

All in all I have been very impressed with Ubuntu Linux 7.10 and would recommend it to anyone who is willing to learn a new operating sytem. There was just recently a new version of Ubuntu released, 8.04, which improves further on the current iteration, and I hope to upgrade soon. I cannot imagine ever returning to Windows and look forward to the future as Linux becomes even better supported and more widespread.

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