Aug
6
2006

Adventures in Linux: Ubuntu 6.06 LTS

Preface: Getting into Linux is easier than you might think. You can even try Linux with zero obligation (money or hard drive space). Check out these options:

Download Ubuntu Desktop and Burn ISO to CD ? Use Live CD to boot Ubuntu without installing to your hard drive.
Order a FREE Ubuntu CD ? Seriously. Even the shipping is free. You can order 10 if you want. I did.

It’s one of the most anticipated Linux distribution releases of the year. In early June, Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake) was complete and the world was graced with yet another excellent release from the Ubuntu community. The distro includes the usual Desktop/Live CD version as well as a new server version. I’ve spent some time with both versions and there is one thing I can say above all else: I love Ubuntu!

Now I must say up front, I’m not a real Linux expert. In fact, by most accounts I’m a total n00b. But I get around in the UI pretty well and I’m even “getting” the CLI more and more each day. I also don’t use Linux in any of my main rigs. I’m just so productive in Windows that I couldn’t imagine making a switch to any other OS as a permanent solution, including Mac—let the flame war begin… But I do love the alternatives to Windows and I certainly enjoy certain aspects of each of them.

With Ubuntu, I love the stability and performance. And I really enjoy the “hacking” side of things. I’m not afraid of a conf file or terminal interface. Plus, every single web project/app/site I create/develop/maintain is hosted on a Linux machine. Exclusively. Other than building and testing sites using XAMPP locally on my Win machine, Linux is my web server of choice. Working with Linux servers everyday has been a real crash course in Linux administration. Using the desktop versions has helped me bridge even more (mental) gaps.

Recently, I’ve accomplished some neat things in Ubuntu:

Set up an Unreal Tournament 2004 dedicated server
Installed an Apache web server (running PHP, Perl and MySQL)
Networked with my main Windows machine (and mapped to shares)
Installed media codecs and played video/audio files
Connected to and controlled Ubuntu from Windows PC using VNC
Connected to and controlled Windows from Ubuntu PC using RDP

None of the above are overtly difficult to accomplish, but several of these items have been difficult at some point in my dealings with Linux for one reason or another. Ubuntu, in particular, has helped streamline and simplify those processes.

For me, tinkering with Ubuntu (and other Linux distributions) is a nice departure from my normal routine and it’s a challenge. (I love challenges.) If you are a geek, check out Ubuntu. The latest release is astounding!

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS

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