How do you use Ubuntu?

[Dave Kemper]

Hi Everyone,

I thought I might start things off explaining to the group my experience
with Linux and/or Ubuntu.

I've been a fairly die hard Windows user since the DOS 2.XX days. Novell
training early '90s, MSCE on NT server 4.0. Pretty much left network and
server support in 2001 to pursue other interests after the DOT.com crash
killed most IT work. Since then, always kept my hands in computers and
networks as a hobbiest and occasional part time IT work.

I've tried a few linux flavors over the past 5 years starting with Red
Hat then SUSE, which I liked. Each time returning to Windows because I
couldn't find alternatives to my must have Windows programs. Fall 2007 I
was seriously considering returning to IT, had a very strong interest
virtualization, and wanted upgrade my expired certifications.

The upgrade my IT certs idea faded fairly quickly and I decided to
refocus on my current path of education in Nursing. I am a LPN and will
be returning to school this month for 3 months to obtain RN license.

But, during the brief thought of re-entering the IT market I loaded many
different flavors of Linux and came across Ubuntu Desktop 7.10. It was
the only flavor of Linux that would recognize my audio card and Realtec
NIC on my laptop after install. I have been running Ubuntu dual boot
with Vista Home edition ever since, rarely loading Windows. 

2008 I decided to try virtualization with the idea of running a clean
host O/S and virtualizing my production Linux notebook. I've done this
with both VMWare first then with Virtual Box. Both are free to the home
user. VMWare Server was my favorite until version 2.0 which went to a
web interface (that doesn't work very well) to manage versus application
interface which worked great. Virtual Box wins, it is easier to install,
(no command line, sudo, scripts to run like VMWare install).

I'm currently reading "Ubuntu Certified Professional Study Guide" to
learn more about how Ubuntu and Linux in general work. I'm just a
hobbyest that can spend hours researching and testing to find an answer,
frequently not coming up with the answer. I'm still weak in Linux CLI.

Enough about me. What is your experience?

Dave K.