Switching to Ubuntu from Windows

While we tried to make our Ultra OS as easy to use as possible, for many of you this new experience might be confusing.

If you are interested in philosophy of Linux and its descendants you should check this article. But for practical reasons, here's some points that might help you to understand how Windows OS is different from an Ubuntu based Xtreamer Everest.

Installing Programs

Windows software comes in .exe files, which you are expected to get from the web or from a store. Ubuntu software comes in packages, which are installed and updated through a centralised system, like a more powerful version of Windows Update and Add/Remove Programs.

Application packages will usually appear in the Applications menu, configuration tools will usually appear in the Preferences or Administration menu.

The Terminal

Linux includes a text-based interface like cmd.exe, called the terminal. Many Linux guides ask you to run commands in the terminal, which should be available from Applications > Accessories > Terminal.

Task Manager

Ubuntu's System Monitor is the closest equivalent to the Task Manager in Windows. It's available through System > Administration > System Monitor.

5 Windows things you cannot do in Ubuntu

1. If you use a mouse that has scrolling button on it, you won’t be able to press the middle button and start automatic scrolling just like you can do in Windows for slowly scrolling on a lengthy page. This feature works quite wonderfully in Windows.

2. If you want to shut-down your system working in Ubuntu, you can’t just press Alt+F4 and get the options. In Windows, this is a simple option.

3. When you right click your mouse on the desktop, you won’t get the option of setting a screen-saver. This is present and you can set any type of screen-saver on your desktop. This particular features works well when you want to leave your machine and want to display a custom message to visitors who might come there to meet you between the interval of your return.

4. There is no option of changing the dpi also. However, there is an option where you can change the fonts of your choice and set the size of these fonts.

5. If you want to get some icons on desktop from your “start menu” by right clicking on it and “send it to desktop”, you can’t do it in Ubuntu. If you right click, it will just open the place and won’t give you the options.

No related articles were found.