Ubuntu - It is actually all right.

Ubuntu, most "geeks" know about it. It is a quite popular Linux distribution that has the single aim of becoming user friendly, yet still letting the "geeks" have fun with developing and customization, and well every reason in the past as to why you would get Linux.

I got the Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.04, and at first, simply not having much Linux experience at all, I removed it. I then went back to Windows 7. However when I woke up the next day I felt I just had to give it another chance. I went and did that and haven't looked back. Now note, I wouldn't use this as a main OS on my main computer, but it is pretty fun once you get into it.

Ubuntu has a few neat features such as a single notification area icon for all of your social needs. Now this is pretty cool and it is customizable. If any of those applications where people are talking to you need your attention the color of the icon changes and you can see who needs you and where. Social networking is very integrated into the OS, which really is a neat way to go. 

Then linked with your login is all of your instant messaging information, kind of like the Windows Live Passport being linked to your Windows account, as well as a service to let other Ubuntu users find you if you are on the same network. 

Anyway, there are bunches of neat things in which just about someone has made an app for it and it is different from Windows so you won't feel this is just a copy. Also, on the Netbook version they have this whole interface geared towards the mobile desktop and works pretty decently. Every application is put into a group such as Office, Accessories, System, WINE, etc. These groups are lined up along the side and it is just a simplified way of getting to what you want quicker. 

I have fell in somewhat of a computer love with Ubuntu.

It Is b0rked

Yesterday I am called over to a friend's house as she is having a difficult time connecting to the internet on her new laptop. I figure this will be a simple job and then we could just hang out. Boy, was I wrong.

I get to the laptop and as soon as it starts up both cores at the same time skyrocket to 100% in use. Naturally I go look at the processes thinking there is something here doing it, sure enough there wasn't anything. After messing with it some more I decide that it has to be some sort of defect.

They had a "Geek Squad" card, so for poops and giggles I figured I'd call just to see what they would say. Not long after I mentioned the problem he said to take it back to the store to trade in, just as I thought.

We arrive at the store and go to trade it in, then behind the counter there are about 10 other laptops that have been traded in of the exact same model. By the way, this is the ASUS K50.

I couldn't believe it, but more what I couldn't believe was that they tried to sell us another one. I wouldn't keep that model on the floor if there were that many issues. You only end up with pissed off customers and lose business. According to my friends the guy who sold them the laptop had sold 5 others the same day they bought theirs. Horrible.

The ASUS K50 has a Pentium Dual Core processor. I highly suggest to my friends to get an i3, so it was only a matter of time to decide which i3 and they bought it and are happy.

But the main thing here is, they have an obviously broken product and yet still sell it. Guess you can add Best Buy to the list of "Shady" stores. I'm sure generally things are okay, but cheating people out of a good experience and money? Not cool.