By Artem Grinevich, Sales Manager
Switching from Windows XP to Ubuntu was mostly a religious matter. My first acquaintance with Ubuntu OS started with its loading screen, Ubuntu logo on the black background and status bar. Sound environment pleasantly surprised me. I do not want to say anything bad about Windows OS but it is more interesting here. Pleasant gamma of colors. My first impression did not deceive me: the features presented by Microsoft in new Vista were implemented here a long time ago.
Customization:
First thing I wanted to do is to configure a network. There were no problems with it, everything worked fine from the start. Logic of settings, general structure of drop-down menus etc. are not different than in Windows but there are some exceptions:
1. Mail. Since I already used Mozilla Thunderbird while working in Windows, I did not have to get used to new software since in Ubuntu this software is also present and it is not different from its Windows version. I can’t say yet anything about Evolution, mail integrated system, but rumors say that it is something incredible.
2. Browser. Same thing, only with Mozilla Firefox. Nothing new, just ol’ good software.
3. Video. Movie Player. After launching test DVD with U2 concert, Bono did not appear on the screen although his signing could be heard from the black rectangle. I did not resolve this issue yet.
4. I could not find how to configure a dot in Russian keyboard layout, i.e. actually I found it but it is in the wrong place.
5. Audio. Here everything is ok. It plays everything via the same video player.
6. Messengers. No problems here. SIM supports all protocols necessary for my work, like: ICQ, AIM, AOL, and etc. As soon as the program was launched, all logins and passwords entered, and here I go – I am in the Net.
7. Office. No problems found here so far. Open Office behaved itself perfectly, replacing too familiar Word & Excel.
8. One issue have arisen: I don’t understand how to access Windows Shared Folders (SMB) via local network.
The rest of the time I’ve been clicking various buttons and studied application. I think that it is configured, but to change/install/delete the password should be entered. Went to sleep zonked out at 4 am.