Hello team,
Very tempted to switch from windows 8.1 to ubuntu. Bit of a PC novice but not as novice as some.
A few questions before I do (sorry for the inquisition):
If I run it as a dual system for a while until familiar with Ubuntu, will I then be able to ask Ubuntu to take over from Windows and replace it?
I use a home based WD mycloud for back ups - will Ubuntu be able to back up to this and will I be able to access files from it?
Does itunes work with Ubuntu?
Will I need anti malware software such as Hitman pro or Malware bytes? Can I ditch Bitdefender?
Will cloud based storage such as Google drive and Dropbox work with Ubuntu?
Will Sonos controller work with Ubuntu?
Does Spotify work with Ubuntu?
Will photoshop work with Ubuntu?
There are other questions but these are the main one for now.
If I run it as a dual system for a while until familiar with Ubuntu, will I then be able to ask Ubuntu to take over from Windows and replace it?
It shouldn't be too difficult to use gparted to remove the Windows partition, then resize the Ubuntu one(s).
I use a home based WD mycloud for back ups - will Ubuntu be able to back up to this and will I be able to access files from it?
I've no personal experience with the WD Mycloud .. but I own a Buffalo Linkstation NAS and have no problems with that, so I'd presume you'd be OK.
Does itunes work with Ubuntu?
NO .. some people will tell you there are applications that WILL sync with iDevices .. don't listen to them .. Apple keep changing the database format on iDevices, and every time they do they break Linux compatibility so the next time you sync you screw up the database resulting in an iDevice that can no longer have stuff added to it (even in Windows/OS X) without being formatted first.
Apple products just don’t work well with Linux … not a Linux problem, more that Apple keep breaking the compatibility.
Stick with Windows for iTunes … be that a dual boot settup, or running Windows/iTunes in a virtual machine in Linux.
Will I need anti malware software such as Hitman pro or Malware bytes? Can I ditch Bitdefender?
As long as you're behind a NAT router you will NOT require AV or anti-malware in Linux.
Will cloud based storage such as Google drive and Dropbox work with Ubuntu?
YES
Will Sonos controller work with Ubuntu?
According to this:
http://forums.sonos.com/showthread.php?t=28539
someone managed to get it working in WINE .. but I'm more inclined to say NO or WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
Again probably best to dual boot .. or run Windows in a VM
Does Spotify work with Ubuntu?
They're planning on it .. and currently have a working Linux preview available:
https://www.spotify.com/uk/download/previews/
Will photoshop work with Ubuntu?
I've seen Photoshop CS5 Portable running in WINE .. but again I'd say WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY
But there is always the GIMP which is a free alternative to Photoshop .. there's a learning curve involved, but it's VERY capable.
http://www.gimp.org/
Mark, thanks very much. I can see a dual boot coming until I’m familiar with the new one, it’s limitations and possibilities.
Appreciate your time.
Jason
I have an old iPod stick (from before they started putting video screens on them) and it works perfectly with rhythmbox. Older ipods tend to work, it’s the newer ones and iphones in particular, that tend not to. So, if the hardware is old enough, you don’t need iTunes in order to be able to change the content on it.
I haven’t bothered with spotify for some years but when it first came out the windows version installed under WINE and worked perfectly thereafter. Don’t know if that still holds true.
Plenty of tutorials around for installing .exe’s under WINE, but ask here if you get stuck.
My most blonde moment ever. Well, just bloody stupid actually. Long story short…erased windows during installation.
Good news, I actually don’t care. Ubuntu seems great already. I’ve managed to install skype, bitdefender and several other applications.
Current main problem is the networked WD mycloud drive. I cannot see it and don’t know where to look. When I find it, how do I add it and back up to it? Even if I have to use a public share that’s ok by me. I’m really interested in adding music to it so that I can update the sonos as and when I get new CDs.
I also wanted to say a huge thank you to the Linux / Ubuntu community. So far everyone has been brilliant and very helpful.
So glad I made it!
Hello and thanks for the reply.
Solved it. It’s connected wirelessly via the home network but I found in the file manager app that if you click network it opened up the WD drive. I can see and access my share and have tested it with a document save and retrieval. I can see all the public shares - music etc and, it actually lets me in via the file manager which is a problem that windows had and could not overcome. I was having to access it via an app rather than the file manager.
Anyway, again the Linux community delight me with their speed and help.
On this occasion, Not needed.
Thanks again and I’m off to learn some Ubuntu.
J
Say what? I’m amazed it installed under WINE, and it’s pretty pointless running it (surprised that it’s happy running on ext4!), as Windows virusses don’t affect Linux (and Linux virusses are very very rare, and bitdefender wouldn’t detect them anyway)
Welcome along Jason, I’m a fellow recent convert to Linux. It does things a little differently than Windows but once you get the hang of it, I think it’s more than a capable alternative. I’m using the Mint 16 distro, which has been a virtually seamless switch for an ex-XP user.
I’d like to agree, this group has been very helpful for me. Thanks to Mark and everyone else, you’re doing a top job.
I have a dual boot Debian/Windows 7 and I think it’s nearly impossible to get completely away from MS (at this time) since a lot of stuff won’t work on Linux, especially if this is your personal computer. If it’s an enterprise server then just skip the whole dual boot thing and jump right into Linux! You need to get your hands dirty to learn. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
I have a dual boot Debian/Windows 7 and I think it's nearly impossible to get completely away from MS (at this time) since a lot of stuff won't work on Linux,
Jason (the original poster) seems to be doing ok, I’ve completely moved from MS to Linux and I’m doing ok, can you tell us what it is you’re having problems with ?
Another way of looking at it would be - There’s a lot of Linux stuff that won’t work in Windows
It’s all a matter of perspective … if you’re expecting Linux to do what Windows does, ‘sure’ you’ll be disappointed … If you expect Windows to do what Linux does you’ll be even more disappointed … but if you expect Linux to do what Linux does (as you did with Windows)…
Linux is not Windows, and makes no apologies for that
