Koala Invasion: New Linux Launched

November 5, 2009 - 10:22 am

The latest incarnation of Ubuntu Linux – Karmic Koala – is here. A growing number of people are giving Linux a try, so we take a look at what might entice users in this new version and just how easy it is to check out.

First, we should probably explain what Linux is. It’s an operating system, like Mac OS, Microsoft Windows and various others that are used in different walks of computing. But unlike Mac OS and Windows, Linux is free. And by free, we don’t just mean you don’t pay for it – you can change it how you see fit and share those changes with others under an “open source” license.

Open source software encourages collaborative efforts, but just because it’s free doesn’t mean people can’t make money with it. Companies package up their version of Linux and sell expert services or support packages, or build custom computers to do specialist Linux-powered jobs. When we say “their version”, we are referring to the ever-growing number of “distributions” of Linux, each tailored to different audiences and designed to meet different needs.

So where do Koalas and Ubuntu fit into all this? Ubuntu, by Canonical, is a distribution of Linux intended to be easy to use and compete with desktop operating systems like Windows. Karmic Koala is the codename of the latest version, released last week, following Ubuntu’s trend for alliterative animal nomenclature.

One of the key principals behind Ubuntu is to put almost every application you might need at your fingertips… for free, of course. But the best bit is how easy it is to install new software. It’s all collected together, so through one program you can find an install what you want in just a handful of clicks. Let’s see what else it’s got…

Thousands of apps just a click away

Software, so much software

Firefox, the increasingly popular Internet Explorer alternative, is available on Linux as well as Windows, so naturally it’s part of Ubuntu. It provides a safe and fast browsing experience. There are Instant Messaging and E-mail programs too, so you can chat on MSN to friends or check your mail, whether it’s a personal address or your work’s Exchange email.

Multimedia support is an area Ubuntu puts effort into, including audio and video playback along with support for media players like the iPod. F-Spot photo manager allows you to download pictures off your camera and its memory cards and organise them, or even publish them onto sites like Flikr.

If you want it, it's probably in here somewhere!

While games written specifically for Windows can be tricky or impossible to get working with Linux, there are still hundreds of games in Ubuntu’s software library, so lots of ways to curb boredom!

If you really need to get some work done, the open source office suite OpenOffice.org is available, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet and slideshow creator and is compatible with files from Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

What else?

Aside from the choice of software, Ubuntu and similar distributions of Linux offer speed and safety. Karmic Koala improves on boot times, getting you to your desktop in just a few seconds. There are security features that prevent programs accessing things they shouldn’t, which is particularly useful if somebody finds a way to make a program misbehave.

If you need somewhere online to store and share files, Canonical has created Ubuntu One – 2GB of cloud storage that lets you sync files, contacts and notes between Ubuntu machines. Free, of course (but you can pay for more).

Advanced desktop effects allow bendy windows that you can peer behind.

So what will work and what won’t?

Applications written for Windows won’t work “out of the box” on Linux. Some applications are available for multiple operating systems, sporting Windows, Linux and Mac versions. Sometimes the different versions must be bought separately, however.

Other applications simply don’t have Linux versions available. There are two ways around this. The first option is to find an equivalent piece of software that’s available for Linux. We’ve given a few examples above, but there are lots more alternatives available in the Ubuntu Software Centre.

If there’s no alternative, or you simply don’t like the alternative, then there’s a tool called Wine that’s designed to help Windows applications run under Linux. However, your mileage may vary between different apps, so it’s not a sure-fire fix.

Hardware and peripherals are a similar story. Not all manufacturers provide much in the way of Linux support, although some do. But in spite of this, the Linux community has written in support for thousands of devices, from wireless cards through to printers and scanners. It’s best to check that all your devices will work under Linux before taking the plunge, however.

But is it for me?

Some people love Macs while others can’t be torn away from their PCs. If you’re fed up with Windows, or maybe aren’t as impressed with Windows 7 than you thought you would be, then maybe it’s worth giving something else a try? The philosophy of free certainly makes it pretty cheap to do so!

The best bit is, you don’t even need to wipe your computer to give it a go. Wubi lets you install Ubuntu within Windows, allowing you to switch between them with a simple restart. It’s a great way to try it out without removing Windows and gives you a chance to check that you can use all the software you want to and that all your devices work correctly in Linux.

There’s no better time to join the growing number of people trying out Ubuntu, and if you don’t like it, well, it’s not like you’ve lost money over it!