Just made the change!!!!!

[Vinces87]

So i just switched over to Ubuntu from Vista Ultimate! I love it so far, did i make the right choice on Ubuntu, maybe another system? How about some need to have programs?

Thank you,

-Vince

[oz]

did i make the right choice on Ubuntu, maybe another system?

Welcome to the forums!

That's something you'd have to decide for yourself. We really can't make the right choice for your operating system tastes and your computer hardware.

How about some need to have programs?

Look in Synaptic (in your system menu) for applications that you can install.

Hope you have lots of fun with it.

[Thrillhouse]

Welcome to Linux and welcome to the forums. Glad you like it so far.

Ubuntu is a good first-distro choice. It's relatively easy to use and has a ton of documentation out there so any problems you encounter can probably be easily solved because someone else has had them before and posted a solution somewhere.

It's hard to name some must-have apps. That all depends on your needs. What do you need to get done on your computer? Below are a couple of websites that can help you find a good open-source alternative to your familiar Windows programs:

The table of equivalents / replacements / analogs of Windows software in Linux. (Official site of the table)
Find Open Source Alternatives to commercial software | Open Source Alternative - osalt.com

[oz]

...another good place to see what's available applications-wise:

Linux App Finder | Helping find the Linux apps you need

[Vinces87]

Well, im a big production junkie. Music, video, and sound.

I heard alot around that I could you linux to my advantage in this fiel. I'm looking at starting a business soon, and decied to grab one of the spare boxes i had at home, and install linux on it.

Now would you all happen to know of any open source programs that could be used for music production (fruity loops, sound force, etc. are the windows versions) how about a final cut type for linux? Photoshop would be great also.

If you could please let me know!

[oz]

The GIMP is the big graphics app under Linux.

Check the links posted above for lots of alternatives that you can consider.

Otherwise, you might be able to run any Windows apps that you need under WINE.

[Thrillhouse]

Well, im a big production junkie. Music, video, and sound.

I heard alot around that I could you linux to my advantage in this fiel. I'm looking at starting a business soon, and decied to grab one of the spare boxes i had at home, and install linux on it.

Oye. I don't know. I believe Mac pretty much holds all the cards in terms of music and video production. Final Cut Pro is the standard for video, isn't it? I know kino is one open source app for video production but I'm not sure if it can compare to Final Cut Pro. I've also heard of Rosegarden for music but have never used it, myself. As ozar mentioned, The GIMP is a nice alternative to Photoshop.

[Bemk]

I'm using Ubuntu too and I love it. If you'd like to install app's you should look in Applications -> Add/Remove or when you know the packages you are looking for System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager. I personally prefer the Command Line Interface to install my app's

Since you're new, you might want to get to know the CLI (Command Line Interface). To get there you will go to Applications -> Accessories and click Terminal. You can also use ctrl+alt+f[number < 7] to go to a CLI and to get back you will press alt+F7.

Here is a Debian tutorial which helped me a lot getting to know the CLI. Stay away from the root account (administrator in Windows) accept when you need to use Super User rights. Do not mess around with them. You may seriously harm your system and may even need to re-install it. Giving commands through root in Ubuntu is by using the sudo command. but yet again: STAY AWAY FROM root ACCEPT IF IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

Let's hope this will give you an easier start with GNU/Linux than I had.

[L4Linux]

did i make the right choice on Ubuntu, maybe another system?

Well, im a big production junkie. Music, video, and sound.

Since you already tried Ubuntu, i can recommend you the following Ubuntu-based distribution: Ubuntu Studio
It is Ubuntu + A LOT video and Music editing programs.
Some good programs are k3b, amarok, vlc.