Ubuntu Getting Feisty

Vista vs Ubuntu Feisty

Ubuntu released their version 7.04, Feisty Fawn, on April 19 to a jammed worldwide download nightmare. It took me about 6 hours to download. But it was worth the wait. The new release is great. I had been beta testing it all along and found the new features, the spit and polish to really make it shine. No more Windows for me.

I left the Microsoft world for good back a few months when Feisty alpha came out. I found some potholes but mostly smooth sailing. I also have a copy of Vista, and it simply does not make a compelling case for the money it costs. It also does not run as fast on my chosen Internet box as does Ubuntu. The DRM wasn't a plus either. I use a old P4 Dell SC400 3.0 1.5 GB as my main Internet box and it performs admirably with Feisty. Of course Firefox is the browser of choice. There are still a few websites that stick to using MS tools and browser and these backwards sites sometimes gives Firefox fits with their non-standard code. But such is life.

Yesterday MS announced the $3 WindowsXP bundle to compete with Ubuntu. Now at first blush, I wonder how the anti-trust folks are going to treat this dumping? I think MS believes that by reducing the entry cost to effectively zero, they will be able to make it up with the add-ons. My guess is most people, even in developing countries understand the game and realize the cost of ownership for MS products really adds up, sometimes many times the cost of the machine itself. Here is what you get in the developing country $3 bill

Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates launched an initiative in China Thursday(4/19/07) aimed at bridging the digital divide ... involves offering governments a $3 software package called the Student Innovation Suite. It includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 and some other stuff ... The suite will be available by the end of this year to qualifying governments that are working to supply PCs to students in order to promote technology skills. In 2008, Microsoft will extend its availability to all countries with economies defined as low- or middle-income.

Compare this to what the user gets with Ubuntu and it is no contest.

A quick first look review at the new Ubuntu is here. And some handy tips what to do when you get Ubuntu 7.04 installed is here. Download here. Community support forum here. What are you waiting for?