Kubuntu: Because Ubuntu Just Wasn't Enough

Thanks to the suggestion of a user, my Linux project continued through the week with the installation of Kubuntu, a KDE version of the Ubuntu installation I had already fallen in love with. This thing is SOLID and appeared to be much more stable than simple Ubunutu.

What's different: the desktop is no longer the default GNOME desktop. In addition, there are some KDE-only pre-installed packages that come with Kubuntu. The whole package runs much smoother on my computer and, even with richer feature and content, seems to be more robust.

Upgrading from within Ubuntu was simple. I opened a command window and typed "sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop" and, within moments, an installation using the internet began. Install time: approx. 15 minutes.

The KDE desktop is far more solid than before, and is customizable in a way that is attractive without being bulky. It reminds me somewhat of Mac OSX actually in the way it is laid out. It gives you 4 desktops by default, plus Konqueror (a web and file browser), Kontact (a personal contacts manager), KWiFi (a wireless LAN manager), and a host of other cool features.

Installing upgrades to built-in packages was simple. By typing 'sudo apt-get update' from a command window, it connects to the internet to download and install updates to packages.

Using Mozilla Firefox makes life easier than Internet Exploder ever did. Firefox is the best browser out there, and using it under Kubuntu is even further proof. Installing plug-ins was a breeze. Speeding up Firefox is a breeze with this handy hack from FreeRepublic, and it makes an unbelievable difference no matter what operating system you are running.

Linux is fairly safe from viruses with the exception of those created in the Windows world. But just to be sure, I installed ClamAV, a free Linux-based virus scanner which updates its definitions using the internet.

You can run some Windows-based apps under Linux using the WINE open source Windows API emulator for Linux. The drawback: it doesn't do everything, but it does enough that it's worth using. I couldn't get it to work with my favorite poker software, but it seems to work with Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop CS.

Overall Rating for Kubuntu (so far): A-