I have been using Microsoft Operating systems for decades and recently decided to switch to Ubuntu. I just had enough of the stuff Microsoft invented to force people to adapt to their monopolized standards, while they are disobeying most of the standards set by the relevant authorities.

Charging people to try out their Office 2007 Beta was the drop that made the bucket overflow. I don’t mind paying for something good, but don’t force me to pay for something, just because you think I need it. That’s when I got rid of XP and installed Ubuntu.

n# offers 7 reasons why you should consider Ubuntu for XP users. To me the most important reason is that I’m not forced to be controlled by a monopolist. But there are some things that people, who are used to work with Microsoft Operating Systems, can find challenging to make the switch.

Command Line
A lot can be done with within Ubuntu. Only, some of the actions may require some commands to be executed at the command line. Even though most programs come with detailed instructions what do do at the command line, it may be a bit challenging for those who are not used to the command line. But if you can find your way around the command line easily, then there is no problem at all.

New programs, new challenges
You can understand that most programs that run under XP won’t run under Linux. Of some of them there are Linux versions made. But others, like Office, need a similar but different program to do the same work under Linux. OpenOffice.org is an open source alternative to Office. Even though a lot works the same, you will still have to get used to working with it.

Unfortunately some software vendors don’t have Linux support yet. I’m thinking of web development software like Macromedia (now Adobe) Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Flash, Photoshop. There are alternatives for these packages, but the problem is that the combination of features is totally different. Gimp for instance is a nice alternative for Fireworks and Photoshop, but it takes some time to get used to working with it, when you’ve been using Fireworks and PS for years.

Time to adapt
It will take some time and a lot of research to adapt to the new environment. You will constantly be looking for ways to get things running they way you like it, or the we you are used to. And that is an obstacle for many to make the switch. They are getting pissed at Microsoft more and more each day, but they don’t have the time to start trying something new.

Maybe it’s time for the current users of Ubuntu to help spread the Operating system by providing more articles on the implementation and use of Ubuntu. I know there is already a lot written, but this information now has to reach different audiences and communities.