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Opticom reviews Ubuntu 10 4 lts Kenya lets go Open Source Review1

by Kibui Kenneth Maina. May,13 2010 11:22am

If you are looking for a challenging good looking operating system that is virus free maybe then you should be considering Ubuntu 10.4 lts. download here.

You do not have to format your hard drive that is if you have enough space you can easily install it as a second OS and just choose between the two at startup. Installation is so easy even novice computer users would have little if any problem setting it up. I have two operating systems running on my machine currently; the native Vista that came with the machine and Ubuntu.

HOWEVER BEFORE YOU JUMP TO INSTALLATION: And I have to say this is where I have an axe to grind with Ubuntu, you will need a working Internet connection (You can not download programs or updates from a machine with a working Internet connection then transfer them to one without easily; if at all you will be successful. The Ubuntu team needs to take into account users with little and no programming or computing knowledge and make this process easier). When finalizing installation Ubuntu downloads some files from repositories, if you dont have an Internet connection you will experience small problems after the installation terminates such missing updates and drivers e.g sound and graphics you can however install them later after completing the O/S installation to reduce O/S installation time.
After installation you will also need a working Internet connection to allow you to play most of your media files, here you can choose to download and install codecs for already resident applications or you can download the many available applications for Ubuntu such as VLC (I recommend VLC media player since it plays almost all media types)

HOW TO INSTALL VLC (go to)

1. Applications>Accessories>Terminal.
2.Type: sudo apt-get update
3.If you created a login password during Operating System O/S setup you will be asked for this password, type it and press enter.
4.Wait for the system to finish updating
5. Type: sudo apt-get install vlc
6.Press enter and wait for it to finish

After O/S installation I recommend updating the system for security patches. Go to system>Administration>Update Manager.

All in all the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, this is a good Operating System and Kenya should embrace it with both arms since it will help improve our ICT uptake by removing the expensive software barriers that are hindering ICT uptake.

Kenyan It professionals should also start developing on and learning the Ubuntu Operating Systems (Workstation and Server editions) who knows maybe we have been sitting on a golden metallic egg waiting for it to hatch and complaining of how poor we are instead of pawning the egg and building great investments and job opportunities.


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SCARED OF THE PROGRAMMING ASPECT OF UBUNTU? WORRY NO MORE:

Download Ubuntu PDF Edition of Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference.





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