Ubuntu Hardy Heron, A Webmaster’s Point of View
Anyone that has been around here reading this blog before will remember that I had migrated from WinXP to various flavors of Linux in an attempt to settle in with an OS (operating system) that would work well with my design work and general duties such as pictures, videos, image editing, graphic creation and site work. A lot of things happened along the way that headed me in the direction I’m in now with Ubuntu’s Hardy Heron.
Windows’ constant ability to freeze or crash right in the middle of a project was one of my main reasons for looking elsewhere for stability. Even though the installs of WinXP and Vista were as stable as they could be, all updates current….it made no difference. Thus, the change in OS’s was inevitable.
Ubuntu and the various apps, software and programs that are either available or installed right along with the version of Ubuntu itself have come along way in a short time. This means great things are in store for the end user because Ubuntu is getting better every time we use it.
Case in point:
Previously, I had been hanging on to my WinXP install on the 2nd HD due to the fact I still was struggling with the various apps like The GIMP, Inkscape, Kompozer and others for my site work. Since that time I’ve been more successful with each of these apps and my skill level has increased to the point I hardly ever booted into WinXP.
Since my experience with the latest offering from Ubuntu (8.04) which led up to a clean installation, I wiped WinXP from the 2nd HD and am on the path to a Windows-free environment. The only exception here is the laptop I bought not too long ago with Vi$ta on it that my wife will soon inherit…again. She has to have Windows for her job. Tsk.
My goal for 2008 was to be Windows-free by the end of the year and it’s looking like that’s going to happen sooner than I expected. So, what led me to getting there sooner? I attribute this to Ubuntu’s growing reputation, user-friendly apps, and the ease in which my daily tasks can be completed since going to it for all my computing needs.
Examples:
Where I used to use Dreamweaver, Fireworks and Photoshop exclusively for my site work and graphics creation, I know use Kompozer, Bluefish, gPHPEdit, The GIMP and Inkscape. Toss in Filezilla for FTP duties and you have a very capable set of tools to create with. Totally Windows free too I might add. 
Add in gTwitter, checkGMail, Network Tools and a host of other apps that make my life much simpler and you have a very happy camper with Ubuntu.
I’ll admit that it was a rocky start with Linux but a little perseverance paid big dividends at the end and I’m very satisfied with it today. I’m still learning more about Linux and Ubuntu and am glad it’s becoming easier to do so.
Summation:
For a budding webmaster or one whose work is just getting going, expenses can be daunting. Especially today when gas and things in general cost so much. A new design business needs all the financial help it can get. Designing in Ubuntu can cut those expenses drastically. Do the math and see for yourself. Compare the expense of Dreamweaver vs. Kompozer for example. Free vs. $399!
For a self-taught webmaster and graphics creator, Ubuntu has found a home.
Expand your mind and your experience by giving Ubuntu a try. Down the road, you’ll thank yourself and maybe help someone else to find their way to Linux too!
Cheers! I left Windoze last year and the ride has been smooth on Ubuntu. It remains the best, in a sea of distros. I considered Mack once, but why? 2x the cost of Windoze. Linux is just getting easier.
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I’m another free & happy user, Debian user in my case.
PS New Kompozer’s URL is http://kompozer.sourceforge.net/
@Dave: I agree with you 100%. Just wish my conversion had been much sooner.
@Deeebian: Thanks for the correction to Kompozer’s link. Much appreciated.
My only issues so far (which I am sure I will overcome with time) are networking with windows machines on my home network and running some DOS applications that use the serial ports. The only games I play tend to be stuff like chess programs and flight sims and most of my apps are either office type stuff or scientific/ham radio/engineering. As I RAPIDLY approach retirement it becomes more important that I am able to continue to afford personal computing and after approximately 4 months during which I have installed various flavours of linux, I seem to have opted for Ubuntu on later machines and DamnSmall on a couple of “steam-driven oldies”. Bill Gates has had more than enough of my “hard earned” over the years. Issues and challenges? Yes! But at least when I get Linux up and running it keeps on doing it! So far I have only had 2 “freezes” and I accept full responsibility for both - Ubuntu is very nearly foolproof but not quite - this fool can cock it up if he tries hard enough to be an idiot (not difficult)!
Just so you get a good flavour, I have been messing with this stuff (personal computing and industrial controls) since before the Sinclair ZX machines when a microprocessor was a 4-bit device and your keyboard was a group of toggle switches.
And? Do I put my money where my mouth is? Yes indeedy! I haven’t bought a magazine for months that explains how to avoid “dreaded blue screens”, crashes or other pc diseases but only linux mags and I’m having the best fun with my pc’s that I’ve had for years. I might just be becoming a “geek” again - how sad is that?
“My only issues so far (which I am sure I will overcome with time) are networking with windows machines on my home network”
I had the same issues myself Patrick. Since going totally Linux now though, I just set up a wireless print server for my wife to use when she is on her Windows laptop.
“Do I put my money where my mouth is? Yes indeedy! I haven’t bought a magazine for months that explains how to avoid “dreaded blue screens”, crashes or other pc diseases but only linux mags and I’m having the best fun with my pc’s that I’ve had for years. I might just be becoming a “geek” again - how sad is that?”
I’m curious…what magazines are you reading Linux-wise? And yes, if having fun with your PC’s means we’re geeks again, then so be it! I say have all the fun we can!