So here is my analysis of some of the features Ubuntu incorporates to get you in on the hype:
Unity search
Unity search brings results in the form of applications, files and folders, with the inclusion of recent items, all the while giving search results from the internet including, references, news, weather updates etcetera. You can also filter results by selecting your preferred categories and sources.
A similar search feature is also offered by Apple in the form of ‘Spotlight’ and by Windows in the form of ‘Windows search’. If you want to know who came up with the idea of the universal search option, the answer would be, according to the facts and timeline of events, Ubuntu.
Virtual desktop (workplace switcher)
In terms of productivity, virtual desktops are a better way to organise your applications and files while running them. Some people also use them for preserving different parts of their virtual life; like using one workplace for work, a second for games, a third for networking and social media, and so forth. By default, there are four virtual desktops on Ubuntu which can be customised according to the user’s preference.
By the way, Windows is also introducing virtual desktops in Windows 10, in 2015, which was evident from the technical preview that they provided. It is worth mentioning here that in the technical preview, there was no option to shift applications and files from one virtual desktop to another. If you have opened some programs, let’s say on virtual desktop number three and now you want to bring the same programs in their current state to virtual desktop number one, you can’t. You have to close down the programs and open them up again on a desktop. While in Ubuntu, you can easily shift apps and files between different desktops in their current state.
It is possible that this issue will be addressed in the final release of Windows 10, as experts will be taking feedback on how to improve user experience, but then again, who knows whether this issue is addressed at all or not. Even if this issue is addressed, will Windows win the performance battle?
Integration and connectivity
Everything gets lined up in one place; you can chat and display your online status from one place. If you have also connected your smartphone with Ubuntu, you can answer calls and get notifications from the smartphone directly on your desktop screen.
A new style of the minimising and un-minimising feature
Ubuntu also lets you select the animation effects for minimising and un-minimising the files, folders and applications. Animation effects include curved folds, fade, magic lamp, glide, horizontal folds, sidekick etcetera.
Animation effects such as the glide, curved folds, and sidekick are excellent while the magic lamp feature is rather amusing; the window actually un-minimises like a genie coming out of lamp and vice versa. The performance is not compromised at any point in this animation effect. As soon as you rub the lamp, click the minimised app, the genie comes out instantly.
Other notable features include hot corners (at one gesture, all of the open applications are spread on the screen to switch or close), beautiful shadows and a round edged lock screen, a launcher (the colour of which automatically changes according to the wallpaper), smooth working (without any glitches or hanging), a resizing and snapping feature which gives you a quick preview on what the window will look like when you resize or snap it on one of the corners.
Available apps
Thousands of great free and paid applications and games are available on the Ubuntu Software Centre, just one click away. The only downside is that there is a possibility that some of the applications that are available on the Windows platform will not be available on Ubuntu. To circumvent this issue, alternative apps can be downloaded and used on the Ubuntu Software Centre. However, if no alternative applications are found, the application and programs of the Windows platform can be installed on Ubuntu using the Wine application available at the Ubuntu Software Centre. Convenience is key and Ubuntu seems to have nailed it.
At the end I would say that being highly customisable, Ubuntu is a beautifully designed operating system that adds an artistic touch to everything it possesses. Packed with blazing performances, fulfilling the needs of a user and at nil prices, Ubuntu is definitely worth a try.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.
“If you have also connected your smartphone with Ubuntu, you can answer calls and get notifications from the smartphone directly on your desktop screen.”
This thing exists in MacBook and iPhone pair but not in Ubuntu.
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This exists in Ubuntu as well. Kindly refer to askUbuntu for your query.
Hope this helps.
Though we have to admire Ubuntu and its achievements, I think Microsoft is way ahead of the game at the moment. Microsoft does their software very right. The aesthetics are much better too.
Go and take a look at whats running FB, Twitter and the rest of the biggest sites on the net, its NOT Microsoft. Its Linux.
Yes but its Linux, not Ubuntu.
So, you are planning to run every desktop system with system that run FB, Twitter and the rest of the biggest sites on the net? hilarious!
Ubuntu’s aesthetics can be changed , i mean whole different UI very easily.
ubuntu has software i need and tons of extras , i think its very personal what you describe as ahead ….i think ubuntu is much further ahead than windows ,in security , reliability and the fun factor as well as other things …lol
Indeed its a very worthy piece of software.
Indeed.
Dear author, Try googling the phrase ‘desktop operating system market share’. You’ll notice that Windows OS’s occupy 91% of the market share. Linux and ‘others’ have 1.25%. And that’s when Ubuntu is free of cost. What does that tell you?
Aaand go take a look at what runs most of the internet. LINUX. Not your beloved Bill Gates saftware
That tells me that microsoft had a monopoly in computers for a very long time. And that monopoly keeps the market share up, not because Windows is better or something.
There is plenty of software out there which is currently not compatible with Ubuntu or any Linux based OS. That is where some of the frustration comes in, for the average user, when using Ubuntu.
For the average user most of the applications are already here. The average user does not use much more than a browser, media player etc. The problem is that the average user does not know about Ubuntu or Linux. If someone could make them jump to it, they would probably love it.
And for the applications that are not here, its not necessarily Linux’s fault.
Rolls Royce, Ferrari & some luxury cars may have a very small market share but that does not mean they are bad cars.
Ask yourself is a monopoly supported by underhanded means???
Yes you are close to right as Windows has around 89.85% and GNU/Linux has 1.41% market share. Nevertheless, that is not the point of discussion here.
No true techie blood uses Windows dude. And Ubuntu being free tells that Microsoft is too insecure about it’s own existence. FYI even Mac OSX is free now. So basically many flavors of UNIX which is far more superior than Windows OS is free.
Some homework for you.
– Please name one company which uses Windows OS for mission critical applications or real time applications ????
– How many virus affecting Linux OS vs Windows OS (that puts MS to shame that after charging premium fee for OS it does not provide security).
You CAN move apps from one virtual desktop to another.. click the virtual desktop icon in the quick launcher and click and hold the app you want to move with the mouse and drag it to another virtual desktop.
Try Oracle’s VM Virtualbox instead of WINE
Yes, that is also an alternative that can be explored.
well he didn’t mention ubuntu because of market share , it won an award 🙂 ….no need to get angry bro ,but i feel you , you have a preferred os , i have mine :p .
very good article , I like it , and ubuntu is my whole family’s preferred OS
(different households) , we enjoy it in all its flavours ….I hope people would try it so they could know what loving a system is like , when you are all set and you are having fun , what else do you want . 🙂
Thank you very much for your kind words. It is outstanding to see how many people are having fun while performing the tasks on a system. Excellent it is..
Ubuntu is phenomenal, Nawaz needs to be shipping all laptops with this. NOT Microsoft.
Once you started using this os you will never look back at windows.
Response of many users who switch to ubuntu. Way to go to.. (y)
The first time I tried it, I found it to be utterly bizarre with the left right switch. However now I find it to be really easy to use and much better than windows in some departments.
Yes, in many situations first time is the difficult one.
I also find it difficult when the close, maximize and minimize were on the left side.
So basically,Ubuntu can turn your Windows PC into a Mac !
Ubuntu will turn your PC into Ubuntu one.
i think we should try this OS at least once.
Excellent. Thumbs up for that.
Yeah, I know. But when it comes to normal everyday users, its not Linux, its Windows. I am a believer in what Linux can achieve so don’t get me wrong. Its just that its not at a point of defeating windows for everyday use.
Rolls Royce, Ferrari & some luxury cars may hay a very small market share but that does not mean they are bad cars.
Ask yourself is a monopoly supported by underhanded means???
Its because most people are ignorant and don’t like change
Android is a form of Linux
Yes, it is..
Great to have a free tool to convert a reasonably priced PC into an overpriced Mac. But Ubuntu is totally different o a Mac, although some features may overlap…but interestingly, Mac hardware are excellent platforms to run Ubuntu on.
people are unaware from ubuntu but they should know about it as it is benificial operating system.people have to change their minds.
Nicely Explained ArticleThumbs Up (Y)
Thank you so much. Much appreciated 🙂
No Ali. It doesn’t. It was a concept introduced by Mark Shuttleworth couple of years ago when he first talked about convergence.
Afterwards, Canonical started to work on an Ubuntu Phone (which is supposed to be released in Feb’15). But unless you run an Ubuntu Phone on Nexus, you won’t get this convergence between phone and Ubuntu desktop.
The best you can get at the moment is PushBullet indicator which is a small app that pairs Android and Ubutnu and shows you all the notifications. Which is still not the same as answering calls and texts from desktop.
Good job
Thank you so much.
Nice job
Thank you.
Very well explained and convincing too 🙂
I have decided to check out ubuntu for the first time 😉 specially that jennie feature 🙂
That’s great.
Kindly also share your experience after checking this out.
I have never used ‘Ubuntu’ before but your reviews shows it is something better than ‘Windows’ and its really worth a try.
Im definitely gonna give it a try.
yes ubuntu is great and very secure operating system but i have not used it very much
Yep it is great and secure OS.
wow…. nice article
Thank you very much.
My far the best OS I have used. Does not limit you in any way. No was user friendly as Windows though but if you like to get your hands dirty with techy stuff then it is the OS for you.
Customizability.. // Techy stuff going on under the hood//
Thank you very much for your response. 🙂
good ….job…
For a change a pleasant and new topic on ET…..Good platform for techies of India and Pakistan to share their knowledge rather than sharing the war of words. 😉 …Cheers Ali, keep writing.
I would like to see an app that tells me all about my PC , as to devices enabled or disabled, along with driver info on each. Also security info, firewall etc. It should be part of system settings options.
good work man (y)
wow…..good job bro can i use Ubuntu on Android phone
An interesting read.
You summed it up pretty well. And it was fun reading and tempted me atleast to switch from Windows to Ubuntu. Let’s see how the journey goes 🙂
Although I am not an Ubuntu user, but this article has led me into thinking to give it a try. Very well written and easy to understand even for someone who is not much into technology!
That’s great. Constructive feedback is the essence that keeps you going. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Although I am not an Ubuntu user, but this article has led me into thinking to give it a try. Very well written and easy to understand even for someone who is not much into technology!
Although I am not an Ubuntu user, but this article has led me into thinking to give it a try. Very well written and easy to understand even for someone who is not much into technology!
great article . and these features make Ubuntu an OS worth trying
Excellent! Gonna give it a try for sure.
Before I read this article Ubuntu was but a funky software name for me. Thanks Ali for introducing it so beautifully. I’m sure many would thank you for this like myself.
Safi sir, you finding it beautiful means a lot. Positive encouragement from fascinating people like you motivates me to keep contributing towards society. Thank you so much.
The article was very good. Since i have never used ubunto before, i found it more attractive and greatly written.
The only thing stopping me from switching to Linux completely is the lack of gaming which will probably never be resolved because although there may come a point when all games work on Linux that will do nothing for older games (Black and White 2, The movies, etc just to name a few)!