I've always wanted to love Linux...

I've always wanted to love Linux, but each time I've installed it I've gotten annoyed enough that I decided that it just was not ready for prime time. Now, a couple of parametric changes occurred:

1. I work in the Navy in a secure building, and no longer are Personel Electronic Devices (PEDs) allowed. This includes cell phones, and in my case, a iPaq Pocket PC that I used to keep synchronized with all my Outlook notes. This ability was a key part of what Linux didn't do for me. Now that is requirement is gone. The loss in personal productivity associated with that is meat for another post.
   
2. Windows installs are big and bloated. I don't mean that in a bad way, but if you are using windows, those jeans DO make you look fat. I have one of the HP Mini 1000 netbooks and with windows it just bloats up. Now that the Mini's hardware is working with Ubuntu, I was ready to give it a try.
3. Ubuntu at 10.04 has a suite of programs which is just as comfortable as their Microsoft counterparts. There is not a good spider solitaire on it, so that's another 6 hours of my life a week I'll get back. I kid, I kid!
4. I loaded Microsoft Office 2010 beta a while back. I don't like it as much as 2007, and I think it is because the programs are becoming to layered and complex. I don't think it is an "upgrade".

Okay, so bottom line is, I'm typing this blog entry on a Ubuntu Lucid Lync based HP Mini with Firefox browser, and I'm happy as all get out with the responsiveness and speed. My recommendation is that if you needed a reason to love Linux, you may actually have it now with this distribution.