Is Ubuntu Ready for a Non-tech-savvy Girlfriend?

Technology has always been a tough sell for women. However, throughout the years, things have changed. One reason that you hear more women opening up to Windows is that it can be less intimidating than a Mac or even Linux computer. br/br br/br h2What Makes Ubuntu Different?/h2 Many people are buzzing about Linux’s newest OS, called Ubuntu, which operates under the open source GNU license. This small and stable operating system is making a splash around the world for it usability and high security levels, unlike previous Linux systems. Though it's cited as a user friendly OS like Microsoft Windows, it's still a Linux based system, so there are some differences when compared to Windows. br/br br/br While it's not Windows, it's also not a Mac system, although it can be learned quickly once users dip their virtual feet into the Linux environment. Linux has made some big strides with Ubuntu, so we created a list ranking just how easy it can be for the beginner, male or female, to use Ubuntu. br/br br/br h2Accessibility/h2 One nice thing about Ubuntu is that it's very easy to find. Thanks to the GNU license, many people can modify and distribute it. It's not dominated by a corporation like the Windows or Mac OS. And while it's open source, meaning that you can download it for free, it can also be sold on the market. It would be highly recommended for those who decide to sell if for a profit to add something of value to make this a worthwhile purchase, because people can get the exact same system for free! br/br br/br Some versions of Ubuntu that can be found on their website include the Desktop, Netbook, and Server editions. Of course you can also find other variations if you look hard enough., like Edubuntu and Kubuntu. However those two were not put out by the main creators of the original Ubuntu and might not contain all the core components of the original. br/br br/br h2Production Tools/h2 Most people use a computer to work or become more productive and Ubuntu is on top of that. Like all other mainstream operating systems, Ubuntu comes fully loaded with productive tools that can used for a multitude of things. Evolution is the software that Ubuntu uses for email, contacts, calendar, and other task features. It appears to work almost exactly like Windows Mail, with the layout included. So this should be easy enough to use even for newbie’s of Linux. This was most likely the goal of the software‘s creators to create an easy to use Windows Mail clone. However if you prefer to use a more well known web based email service, you can. Evolution does allow you to check more than one email account at a time, which should be a time saver for many people. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_evolution.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_evolution.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br While it is fully supported and comes along with Ubuntu, you can still use Microsoft Outlook, though third party software (like Wine) is required to run them. br/br br/br As for IM’ing people, Unbuntu comes with a handy and useful tool called Pidgin. Pidgin is a third party (and free) all-in-one instant messenger-that works like most IM services do, but allows you to have access to all accounts. As with most all-in-one messenger protocols, this will allow you to log in all your IM accounts via one piece of software. Not only does it save you time, but also precious hard drive space. Pidgin is very easy to use and can be easily expanded via plug-ins. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_pidgin.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_pidgin.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br h2Internet Web Browsing/h2 Most people who use computers now use it for the internet. This allows us to become so much more productive. Having a good browser is key, and Ubuntu does come well prepared for internet browsing. It comes bundled with Mozilla’s Firefox 3 web browser, which is considered one of the safest web browsers available for use. br/br br/br Firefox 3 now has easier manageable tagging, history and bookmarks for easier access. Firefox 3 still remains one of the best web browsers available today. It has a high level of protection to keep malware, phishing and viruses away from your PC. Firefox 3 will allow your PC to stay safe without much of a need for technical knowledge. However, most viruses do not run or are designed to run on Linux computers. So Ubuntu also has that advantage along with a safer browser. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_main_firefox.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_main_firefox.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br Firefox 3 also makes it easy for users to customize and get the most out of their browser. It allows the users to download third party plug-ins to work in Firefox to make it more productive for users. br/br br/br It also has a built-in ad blocker, so no need to search for a third party application. br/br br/br h2Photo Management/h2 Women love photos as keepsakes, they love to make scrapbooks and frame them. Ubuntu has a female user-friendly answer to that called F-Spot Manager. F-Spot Manager allows you to easily tag, upload and share your memories with family and friends. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_800px-F-spot35.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_800px-F-spot35.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br It features the plug-and-play driver support that so many love about Windows easy interface and usability. Just plug in the camera and click once on import for a full download of your photos to your hard drive. Simple and effective. Once they're uploaded, your photos are ready to be tagged, edited, organized and uploaded. br/br br/br h2Multimedia/h2 Most of today’s computers are also used for entertainment purposes, so no system is complete without music and video players. Ubuntu luckily has both bundled with the system. Rhythmbox (the music player) and Totem (video player) only play free and open source file formats. However you can buy codecs to play other formats legally. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_totem.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_totem.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br Rhythmbox allows you to stream music and download 100% free songs. Thus, you’re not likely to find mainstream radio hits on it, so you’ll have to browse or find something you will like. You can also share your music files on a network for others to hear. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_800px-Rhythmbox_0_11_5.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_800px-Rhythmbox_0_11_5.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br Totem allows you play all types of videos including streaming Youtube, including free and proprietary videos. You can also buy more codecs that will support more file formats as you please. br/br br/br h2Office/Business Tools/h2 Whether you use your PC for work, play or school, you will find yourself needing office and business software. Luckily Ubuntu comes with Open Office which is easy and compatible with Microsoft Office. It has a application for spreadsheet, word processor, online notepad (called Tomboy) and presentations. br/br br/br Open Office is an open source and GNU product, and many people also have created extensions that can extend the abilities of the original. br/br br/br p class=img-middle a href=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/10118_openoffice.jpg img src=http://media.laptoplogic.com/upload-images/10118/large/10118_openoffice.jpg alt= //a/p br/br br/br h2Conclusion/h2 All in all, Ubuntu isn’t too hard to use or learn for anyone who doesn’t have much technical knowledge. While some of it will be a challenge, most of it isn’t more difficult than Mac or Windows. The look and feel might take some time to get used to, but that's the initial buy-in of picking up a new OS. Knowing the names and locations of what you are looking for can be tricky at first, but you learn pretty quickly. br/br br/br