Tag Archives: windows

linux

Six reasons to switch from Ubuntu to Vista

2009/06/15 – 11:57 am

Although I have always been a Linux and Ubuntu evangelist, successfully converting several friends to the open source operating system, I’m here to tell you six reasons that have made me switching from Ubuntu to Windows Vista.

1. Battery and Heating

My notebook power saving behaviour is very different in Ubuntu and in Windows Vista. While the latter brings the computer to an average temperature (still quite high for a notebook) on Ubuntu the heating problem is unsustainable. This also influences the battery performance: on Windows the battery usually lasts between 2h 30m and 3h; on Linux has never reached 2h.

2. Wireless

On Ubuntu the wifi adapter, a AR928X by Atheros, works out of the box, but takes a few minutes to connect to the access point (I experienced this on several access points) and disconnects from time to time. On Windows the connection setup is fast and the line is stable. That is exactly what you should expect when using a notebook.

3. 64 bit

My notebook has 64 bit processor. Installing 64 bit Linux could improve the computer performances and let you use the full RAM quantity. But some 32 bit software for Linux are not compatible or require some extra work to run, like Skype, and have a few stability problem. On 64 bit Windows Vista I still have to find a 32 bit app that could not run out of the box.

4. Flash Player

Adobe Flash Player has made giant steps in the last few years, and the recent development of a 64 bit Linux release is showing that Adobe cares about Linux users. However Flash Player for Linxu has some issues, like the web upload: it is quite common for websites to let users upload their content using a flash uploader, that allows multiple files upload. This method on Linux will make your browser freeze until the upload is completed. Do you want to upload 300MB video on Vimeo? Stop browsing for a couple of hours.

5. Performance & Precedence

The great majority apps are for Windows only, but I’m not complaining about that. I’m complaining about many of the multi-platform software (like Firefox, OpenOffice and so on) are sensible faster on Windows than on Linux. Other softwares, altough we have to appreciate the efforts of making a Linux version, give an obvious precedence to Windows. Did anyone say Chrome?

6. Desktop search

Tracker is well integrated into Gnome, but cannot index my Thunderbird messages. Google Desktop could index my Thunderbird messages, but it is not integrated into the GUI. Windows Search does the full job

Conclusion

Don’t misunderstand me, please. There are several things I will miss after this switch and I will continue to use Linux and Ubuntu. Just it will not be my primary system anymore.

Tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink | Comments (16)
linux software

Status of Autocad on Wine

2009/04/07 – 9:22 am

From time to time I check whether there is any progress on running Autocad using Wine, the Windows compatibility layer for unix-like OSes. Well, there are some news about.

The latest development versions of Wine (1.1.x) are starting to be capable of running Autocad 2008. Now Autocad 2008 is marked as a Silver application, although there are several issues to be solved. I didn’t try myself (I will), but according to the comments and test results:

  • cannot setup from CD, you’ll have to copy disc 1 and disc 2 in the same directory on your hard drive;
  • properties windows use a very strange font;
  • cannot activate the program;
  • cannot customize the install;
  • cannot install service pack 1;
  • no help available;
  • several issues when running with compiz.

This is anyway a huge step for Autocad on Linux. Autocad is extremely widely used, and I did not see yet any real alternative that could run on Linux or Mac (a good alternative must be capable of reading and saving all the Autocad files).

For now, many cad users are stuck on Windows, but it could really be just a matter of time.

Tags , , , , , , , | Permalink | Comment (1)
linux

Dell Inspiron Mini 9: is Ubuntu really cheaper than Windows XP?

2008/09/05 – 4:26 pm

Dell has introduced its first netbook, called Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and available with Ubuntu Linux or Windows XP SP3. The Ubuntu version starts at 349$, while the Windows version starts at 399$. I think I will choose the Ubuntu version to save some money, but… is it really cheaper? Let’s check.

Ubuntu Inspiron Mini 9 costs as much as Windows version

Ubuntu Inspiron Mini 9 costs as much as Windows version


The Ubuntu version and the Windows version only differ for Hard Drive size and the Webcam. The WinXP equipped toy has 8GB Hard Drive and 0.3 MegaPixel integrated webcam. The Ubuntu equipped one has 4GB Hard Drive and is completely missing the webcam.

Luckly the Dell website lets you choose the components you want. I definitely want my Ubuntu Inspiron Mini 9 with 8GB Hard Drive (need to add 35$) and I cannot live without a 0.3 webcam (need to add 15$). So:

  349$ (base price for Ubuntu version)
+  35$ (hard drive upgrade)
+  15$ (webcam upgrade)
------
= 399$

which is exactly the same price of the Mini 9 with Windows XP. The things go even worse if you try to compare an upgraded version of Ubuntu Mini 9 with the most expensive version with Windows XP: in this case the Ubuntu version will be more expensive than the one with the Microsoft OS.

It really sounds like there’s something wrong. But what?

Tags , , , , , , , , | Permalink | Comments (2)
linux

EeePC: perché odiare Windows

2008/05/08 – 8:13 am

Hong Kong Rainstorm - by tallkevAnche se vivo in Italia, nei giorni passati ho avuto (e perso) la possibilità di prendere il favoloso Asus eeePC 900 (quello con lo schermo da 9 pollici) a un prezzo inferiore a quello italiano e qualche settimana prima della sua commercializzazione nel bel paese. Sfortunatamente, anche dopo aver cercato in vari negozi (e credetemi: Hong Kong ha moltissimi negozi), l’unica versione disponibile era quella con Windows, che ha un disco di minore dimensione. Per la versione con Linux bisogna aspettare, piazzare un ordine e sperare che arrivi entro quindici giorni.

Come mai? È abbastanza semplice: è più facile vendere la versione Windows, nonostante sia nettamente più lenta e con meno spazio sul disco. Quindi i negozi si riforniscono di grosse quantità della versione Windows, e di alcuni pezzi per la versione Linux. Inoltre, per questioni di economia di mercato, è anche probabile che in futuro la versione con Windows costi addirittura meno dell’alternativa libera.

Microsoft ha vinto ancora una volta.

PS: La mia dignità è troppo forte per farmi accontentare della versione Windows. Aspetterò. Aspetterò.

Tags , , , , , , , , | Permalink | Comment (0)
linux

EeePC: why hating Windows

2008/05/08 – 8:03 am

Hong Kong Rainstorm - by tallkevI live in beautiful Italy and in these days I had the chance to get a wonderful Asus eeePC 900 (the 9″ screen) a cheaper price than. Unfortunately, even after searching in many shops in Hong Kong (and believe me: Hong Kong has lots of shops), only the Windows version (which has smaller hard drive) could be found. To get the Linux version you need to pre-order it.

Why this? It’s quite simple: it’s easier to sell the Windows version (no matter it will run slower and with less disk space). So the shops buy big quantities of the Windows version and only a few pieces with Linux. And because of big quantities, in the future it may be possible the Windows version could be even cheaper than the free alternative (free as free speech, not as free bier).

Microsoft has won once again.

PS: My dignity is to strong to make me buy the Windows version. I’ll wait. I’ll wait.

Tags , , , , , , , | Permalink | Comment (1)