My Exodus

It's time to migrate into the free world of peace and harmony.

Truth is, I've had another mysterious break down on my laptop. All of a sudden, for no particular reason Windows refuses to boot properly. It happened yesterday too, and just refused to start again. I had the same problem with my old hard drive. I don't know what causes it. Sometimes the computer, or Windows, freezes, and I haven't found any reliable reason for what is happening. Anyways now my hard drive is crisp and clear, again, reformatted and happy. But who knows for how long.

Another fact is that with my Linux partition (which I now removed, becauce the new Windows thing screwed up the boot manager) has never failed, but then again, I've not used it as much, so who knows if it's really more stable.

Anyways, all of these problems have made me decide, that I'll try to migrate to Linux and the Open Source world. After all, my general sympathy for Open Source software has led me to use mostly open source software. Like \OpenOffice, Firefox, and \WikidPad. However, there are some problems connected with an Exodus from Windows, to Linux, I've experienced. I've tried to run away a couple of times, and a few years ago, the problems in Linux was to make sound cards and stuff to work. Now that's no problem, but like with Ubuntu Linux that I used now, I had problems with USB, and Wireless internet. And then there's a couple of other problems: How to make the TV card, and the Creative MP3 player work. To be fair though, I haven't really tried too hard. And I do think the Creative problem has been solved, I just wasn't able to resolve it. Anyways, in order to migrate, I need substitutes or Linux cersions of:
* \OpenOffice (no prob)
* Firefox (no problem)
* \WikidPad (I guees no problem either)
* Picasa (No, but similar)
* TV (hmm. Difficult)
* DVD (difficult)
* \DivX crap
* Creative stuff (\RedChair?)
* (Tortoise) CVS (no)
* Camera/pictures...

Another reason for migrating to Linux, is the famous so-called Digital Divide. Since Linux is free, it has been popular to think that Linux is the obvious option for poor people, poor schools, poor countries. But generally there has been a slight reluctance to promote Linux, because people are afraid that using Linux will marginalize poor people, and just create some sort of other divide. Instead they support freaky options like \MiniWindows and stuff. However, if more people in the rich world use Linux, we can kinda support the possiblity for bridging the cap - because even if I've been reluctant to pay for MS Windows over the years - I am passively suporting it. But anyways, as more and more functions and software of the computer is going over the web or through web browsers anyway, it matters less if you're Bill's, Steve's or Linus' disciple.

I have a long time frame on my migration. It might be good to have another computer... Although, as Nicole says, you just can't do it if you have the option of falling back to Windows. You need to be forced. I need internet though, to be able to do anything. I can't sit here, isolated in Aalborg, and it will take up time, and stupid to do when you're supposed to work.

So far, what I have tried Linux-wise, is Suse, Mandrake and Ubuntu. But very briefly. Any suggestions? I also need some kind of Linux for Dummies.