it’s ok to use what you’re used to, but in case you’re looking for alternatives you can use linuxappfinder (has the biggest database)

http://linuxappfinder.com/alternatives

for photoshop replacement i use “Krita” (ps like interface) and gimp

also on the Cons “availability” and “learning curve”:

Installing Ubuntu is as easy as installing a windows program thanks to Wubi. Ubuntu 8.04 has “Wubi” included. Also, many videos on youtube.

To make the “learning curve” extremely easy i suggest you hand out Linuxmint (an ubuntu derivative, but easier for new users). It even comes with codecs by default.
http://www.linuxmint.com/

oh and remember that if it’s not in Synaptic, you can grab many programs at http://getdeb.net/

Cheers and enjoy your cup of ubuntu

you have been featured in the Ubuntu weekly newsletter

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuWeeklyNewsletter/Issue95

I love that you are now a syndicated columnist/blogger. There should be another job in there somewhere.

I remember when I got my first system with no OS loaded. All I had was a freeDOS disk and a will that I would learn how to use Linux. I started out with Mandrake and it worked pretty well except for the main thing I wanted it to do–connect to the campus LAN. I found with my version of ALSA I could not get my CD player to play audio CDs without another internal cable that Windows had solved with a software workaround.

I stubbornly continued with the help of my fraternity brothers, but my father bought me a copy of Windows because even he couldn’t believe I was unable to connect to the LAN. Since then Mandrake has become much better and has changed its name to Mandriva. I appreciate that it uses RPM Package Manager and KDE. I don’t think I could handle Linux without a package manager. From my investiagtions of Ubuntu, I yhave learned of its Synaptics Package Manager and that there are flavors that run KDE.

My biggest problems with Linux continue to be with audio and video. That might not sound like much, but since I use Skype and like to listen to podcasts they are important to me. Helix is still not as good as the Windows version of RealPlayer and I still don’t get along with ALSA very well.

Oh, I second the person who suggested GIMP. I love GIMP. As a professional I can see why you would use Photoshop, but for most functions GIMP works just as well.

Cheers,
Josie

At first I used a dual boot with XP because I missed a few Windows applications. It didn’t take long for me to get tired of booting into XP so I just let myself get used to Linux alternatives. Now there is nothing to entice me back to Windows. I don’t use any pirated software now since everything is available as open source if you look hard enough.

I changed to Linux because I was increasingly frustrated with m$ and their anti-piracy/DRM stance. Windows Update got more and more draconian. Then I had to start serving some Vista machines. That was the final straw. I love Linux now and could not ever go back.

@Rob – Good call. I had meant to mention the live cds but neglected to do so. I actually started out playing with Ubuntu that way and once I decided I liked it installed in on my computer.

@Don – I have really loved being able to find so many useful programs and easily install them on my computer. And since I run VirtualBox in seamless mode on its own desktop, I usually forgot I am even in Windows.

@burt – Thanks for the recommendation. I will definitely check that out. I tried Money Dance but ended up just going back to Microsoft Money.

@Cabreh – Since I am relatively new to the online Linux community I was surprised by the, as you say, Anti-Ubuntu outcry. I am a big fan and recommend it to as many people as I can. I even convinced my mom to switch over. It really is very user friendly and great for a new user. Thanks for your comments.

@jose_X – My name is Becky as I see you noticed from my URL. I need to go in and update my blog so it actually says my name as opposed to Admin…Thanks for reminding me.

@GreyGeek – I am glad to hear my article had a positive effect on the Ubuntu community. I haven’t yet had time to checkout any of the other distros, but as a newbie I loved Ubuntu. Thanks for your comments!

@SirYes – Thank you! I have been amazed by the response I have gotten so far. Despite the distro wars it seems like a very welcoming community.

@Hans – I have noticed myself switching over to Linux based programs little by little. However, there are a few programs like Dreamwever, I am a web designer, that I just can’t go without. Hopefully I will eventually be able to run programs like that in wine and not have to use my VirtualBox.

I have 6 (very different) boxes running Ubuntu 8.0.4 without any major issues so statements that Ubuntu is buggy do not accord with my (admittedly still limited) experience.

I have also been a regular bug reporter for developmental versions of Ubuntu over the past 4 years (roughly 200 bugs reported). My experience has been that all critical/show stopping bugs have been attended to. In my experience only minor or upstream bugs have been ignored. I have also had a very positive experience in interacting with the developers. Many times I have tried new kernel versions or recompiled source code and have had that effort rewarded by developers patching the kernel or upgrading source to remove problems.

One thing about Ubuntu has been the enormous interest from newbies. This has been good overall for linux in my opinion but it has tended to overwhelm the developers on the QA side. The number of bug reports by non technical and frustrated users on launchpad can be a daunting experience for developers.

My only criticism of Ubuntu developers is that some can be rather elitist/ivory tower/rude toward new users. Perhaps that is connected to my previous point.