Linux (Ubuntu Flavor)

Linux (Ubuntu)
Manufacturer (Developer): Canonical Ltd.
MSRP: FREE!

I won't get into the entire background of Linux of Ubuntu as you can read just about everything you want to know as far as that goes at the Wikipedia Ubuntu article. That and there are far too many features for me to discuss to hit all of the basics.

Ubuntu is a 'flavor' of Linux which a completely free-of-charge operating system. By making use of non-proprietary filetypes such as Ogg Vorbis for audio instead of MP3 the OS is free and so are tens of thousands of programs to enhance your experience using Ubuntu.

I was tired of my PC not working as it should under Windows. Programs not responding then crashing, my PC taking 5+ minutes to boot up, constant virus corruption despite running several anti-virus programs and countless other problems. I had been thinking of switching to Linux for years but was unsure about it. 2 months ago, after much research, I decided to go to Linux and picked Ubuntu which is one of the most popular flavors of the OS.

You can download the Ubuntu OS .iso file from the official Ubuntu site and burn it to a boot cd. A great feature is that if you want to test the operating system before committing it to your harddrive you can actually run the operating system from the cd with it in your CD-rom/DVD-rom drive. Please note that since everything is running from your CD drive that it will run a little more slowly than from your harddrive.

If/when you decide to load Ubuntu on your harddrive you have several options. Two of which are: you can load Ubuntu and have it delete Windows off your harddrive and run solely with Ubuntu. Or you can load it alongside of another operating system. With this option a black screen pops up whenever your computer boots up and shows each OS choice on your harddrive. You then select which one you want to use and your PC will boot up using that OS. I decided to do a dual boot just in case I have a program that absolutely requires Windows to run then I can boot to Windows then reboot to go back to Ubuntu. But to make that story shorter...I am just about to remove Windows completely from my system.

I'll make it known that my PC's specs are dramtically lacking at this time but with Ubuntu my system can barely feel it. Boot up time has dropped from 5+ minutes to approximately 15-20 seconds. Each launched program is ready for use in mere seconds. It breathed new life into my PC which Windows had lead me to believe I would have to scrap soon.

Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop environment which makes it a fairly easy transition from a Windows system to Ubuntu. Gnome itself is completely free software which is why it is used with Linux and it keeps everything very user-friendly and unparalled control over content, programs and data for users and developers. And when developers have more control then we, the users, benefit from it as well.

The desktop itself features a small bar at the top and bottom. By default the 'system tray' date and clock are located on the top bar while the bottom bar which will have the icons for open programs, a button which allows you to minimize every window (yes, still refered to as a window which isn't because that's what Microsoft wanted to call them) with a single click of the button, a trash can button which allows you to view/empty your trash can (of course the equivalent of Windows' Recycle Bin) and a feature which allows you to basically have two different desktops you can switch between at will. I haven't used that feature all-too-frequently but it sure is there for when I want/need to use it.

Because Linux is open-source it means that it is free and users are allowed to distribute the code for free but they are allowed (more like encouraged) to hack the code. To improve the code. To add more code for more funcionalities. And this leads to non-programming users such as myself to benefit from even more awesome features which can be downloaded for absolutely no cost!

There is that breed of computer user that believes that all information and code should be available for free. Those users that also have programming skills will spend their personal time creating new options, features and functionality which they will then offer for free.

I use programs on Linux which make available all of the high-end features that Windows-based programs will charge upwards of hundreds of dollars for you to use. I've found comparable if not better programs available for Linux for absolutely free! Linux has a small program that searches for available add on programs/features which are placed into categories. You can select as many as you want, click a button and the program will download all necessary components that your system may not already have on it which are needed to run that program.

That program was added because one thing that kept Linux usable only for the computer-savvy and programming knowledgeable as different packages had to be downloaded (you had do know what they all were and where to get them), where to put them on your system, know how to use a terminal to 'activate' the package on your system and then the program was ready to use. Now you simply click a couple buttons and it is all done for you.

And another thing that drove me from Windows was that all of my external drives were throwing up errors. My brand new USB2.0 DVD/CD Rewriter would write to a disc but then couldn't verify the data after the burn. And while testing to see if they would still work in the cd player/dvd player and the player would only read ERROR. My digital camera couldn't get my images to my PC and have the files be readable. Now with Ubuntu I plug in an external device and a icon for it will appear on the desktop which will allow instant access to that drive. The icon stays until you send it to the trash and/or remove the drive from the USB port. Now my DVD's and CD's burn quickly and correctly every time. Windows' supposedly superior plug-n-play seemed to have gotten outplayed.

A great security feature of Ubuntu (and most, if not all, Linux distributions) is that you are prompted for the administrator password for any changes to the system that require administrator-level access. When adding new programs and setting up new packages you will be prompted for the administrator password in order to make the changes to the system. Therefore any virus/trojan/malware that would try to make changes at the deepest levels of your system will not run because they cannot do this in a covert manner.

So how does a company that releases an operating system for free make money, you ask? Quite simply they sell their customer support. I've had to remind people that groaned that support wasn't free from the company when it generally is from Windows. That is because you've already paid Microsoft somewhere around $200+ dollars. You paid nothing for the software. So you would still save money even if you bought their support.

But luckily since most Ubuntu users believe in the code of all things available for free you will find ample support online for any question you might have without being made to feel like a moron. The people are thankful for a free operating system that works and they want the experience to be just as enjoyable for all other users that may not have as much knowledge at the start.

So in summation: if you like an operating system that is fast, secure, safe with extreme functionality then you've stumbled upon a goldmine. There are so many features which I couldn't hit due to the need to eat and occasionally take a walk outside but I tried to hit as many of the most important ones that I could. You would find out very quickly just how useful it is for you.

Welcome to the wonderful world of (Open Source) free!

Getting Reviewed!

Note: While these reviews cover technological/electronic items please note that web site services and software do not have to be technology/electronics based. Since web sites run on servers and are viewed with a computer and software also runs on a computer, they can be about any topic.

You may E-mail me @ christophermichaelsnyder(at)gmail(dot)com if you have an item that you would like to have reviewed.

What do you get with a review? You get an image of the product (or screenshot for software or a Web site) at the top righthand side of the review. There will be a link to the company site or your personal site depending on who has created/programmed/released the reviewed product. I will offer links where the product can be purchased. Normally I included a link/image from my Amazon.com affiliate account but I will not do so if it is stated in the terms that you want only other purchase avenues made available. You get the feedback of my review. You get the promotion of my review. And you can read any comments left by readers of the review which could be potential feedback to help you see how others feel about your product. And you may link/use this review as you see fit as either a testimonial or another form of promotion if you see fit. Also, each post (review) in this blog is individual submitted to several blogzines, wikizines amnd blog directories which help increase visibility.

I will review items based upon firsthand experience or internet research.

Now my reviews are actual blog posts where I discuss my personal experiences with the item being reviewed. With internet research I look up all relevant information that I can including any online ratings and reviews from others that have firsthand experience. But with that I am able to report only what others have said and give an overall consensus. I cannot give specifics. Such as with hands-on experience I may mention a "negative" about a product but list why I consider it a negative and that many/most other people will not be affected by it or it may even be a positive for them. I never give cookiecutter responses such as "this sucks" or "this is awesome". I report why certain features are viewed by me as negatives and positives. A review done by internet research does not allow me to do that. A particular user may post in a blurb online that they disliked a feature. But we know nothing of them or why that was viewed as negative to them.

So firsthand experience is highly preferred. Here is some info regarding helping me give your review the personal touches gained from firsthand experience.

Devices/Products: You can E-mail me at the address posted above for directions on getting something to me to test. This will allow me to use the product and test all the features so that I can report fully on my experience. Whether it is a 'loaner' and we make plans for me to get it back to you or it is for me to keep I will use the product until I feel that I can give the best overall review possible.

Software: Contact me at the E-mail address posted above to tell me about the software you want reviewed. Let me know where I can download it or if it is available only by disc, I will direct you on how to get it to me. If your software has a registration process by which some features are disabled or it is in some other way impaired you can decide whether to allow me to 'unlock' the software or not. If not then I will mention other options that are available if the product is registered but will not be able to give the personal experience.

Web site/Digital Service: Contact me at the E-mail address posted above to tell me about your site and where it is located (URL). If your site has a registration process I will gladly go through it. In the event that the site has a paid membership which unlocks more features, if possible, you can give me access to that until I notify you that your review has been posted. At that point you can let me retain access or remove my paid membership privaleges. I can write a review without the paid membership access but I will be able to only mention other features and not give the personal experience.



Disclaimer: Please be aware that doing any of the above things do not guarantee a positive review. Whatever product/service/access you are providing for me to review isn't a "gift" to get you a 100% positive review. Unless, of course, your product is deserving of a 100% positive review.

In order for each review to hold any merit all products must be weighed/judged the same way. Even reviews that are paid for through a service such as PayPerPost will be scrutinized and a truthful and completely honest review will be rendered. Any submitter that has too little confidence in their product and would offer any 'gift' to influence my review will be denied. I would mention the 'positives' because they are accurate and correct. I would mention the negatives. And anyone that wants any negative not mentioned should look elsewhere.

But for anyone that wants to see how negatives are mentioned and handled, feel free to read through other posts.

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SanDisk Sansa MP3 Player

SanDisk Sansa e280 MP3 Player
Manufacturer: SanDisk
MSRP: $149.99

Please note that some of the specs may be specific to this particular unit but most Sansa units have similar options. The major difference between individual units is the on-board memory
the player has.

Specs/Features:

• 8 Gig flash memory for file storage
  
• 1.8” TFT color screen
  
• Durable metal alloy casing in the back
  
• MicroSD slot for additional space with cards
  
• FM Tuner
  
• Allows you to record FM broadcasts and voice recordings
  

To start, the Sansa allows you to listen to MP3 (audio) and video clips which is limited only by the amount of memory. The Sansa was one of the first MP3 players to feature the video option which was later added to newer iPod units after Sansa was released.

This particular unit was released for connectivity to RealNetworks Rhapsody service which, with a paid subscription, will allow you to put an unlimited amount of songs (again limited only by memory space) from any/all artists listed on the Rhapsody service. This can be helpful for your computer's harddrive as you do not have to have the phsysical MP3 file on your computer. The songs will be transfered directly from Rhapsody to your Sansa player. The package comes with the Rhapsody software. You can still use the Sansa without Rhapsody if you decide against using the service.

In order for your Sansa player to connect to Rhapsody properly you will need Windows XP. Since I've abandoned Windows altogether I connect my Sansa player to my PC and transfer the MP3 files directly to the player which is available whether or not you use the Rhapsody service.

You can also transfer Rhapsody channels to your Sansa player if you choose to make use of the service.

I do not use the FM option too often but I get relatively decent reception in most areas. The ability to record FM broadcasts is great should you hear a song you want to record especially if you aren't sure of the song/artist at the time you are hearing it.

The Sansa player allows you to view photos and video with its screen. One thing that can be a slight pain is that all video and image files need to be converted with software and transferred to your player with the converter program to be viewed on the player. But the process does not take too long. I do not use it all that often for video or photos but the option is there for those that would find it even more useful. It is great to have those options!

As far as the mp3 player options go it separates the files into categories by artist, album, etc and offers the option to "Play All" files and it will start with the first track and continue through all of the files you have on your player.

The sound is great! Especially if you use great headphones. The headphones that come with the player work extremely well and I find that Skull Candy Earbuds make the Sansa sound amazing!

The case itself is well made especially with the metal alloy backing. Unfortunately my player has suffered a few drops and falls but still works as well as the day that I bought it.

The lithium ion battery has a good charge lifespan. You can charge it with a wall unit or leave it connected to your computer through it's USB connector to charge the unit.

The player itself features a raised plastic flywheel somewhat similar to the iPod but I find that the texture of the wheel makes it easier for me to manipulate the iPod's although that may be debateable by other users. The front also features a play/pause, back and forward and list button surrounding the flywheel.

The player includes a mic at the top for voice recordings and a lock slider to lock the player during use which is very useful if you stow your player in a pocket while you move around. It keeps the buttons from operating the player such as accidentally skipping to the next track in the middle of a song you are listening to.

There are many peripherals you can purchase for use with the Sansa player. The intial package comes with a travel pouch to carry it in, a lanyard, stereo headphones and the Rhapsody software disc.

I've been pleased with my Sansa player from the day I bought it!

Buy it!