Linux Kubuntu vs. ubuntu

I got my cds from these nice folks a few days ago with 10 copies of 32bit kubuntu and 2 64bit versions. I thought I had ordered ubuntu... is there any difference really or are they the same thing.. or better yet can they be changed to which ever packs the most features or options?

Also.. in recent light of the whole windows WGA forcing you to do all this extra stuff. Ive had enough with their forced junk, and I dont even have any pirated copies of windows running on anything. So back to my point, im ready to make the switch as ive installed a downloaded version of ubuntu several times... but havent toyed with it much.... Im looking for replacement apps for the things i commonly do on windows.

Firefox <- web
Thunderbird <- Email
mp3/music/avi/mpeg -> (need ideas)
music transfer for ipod -> (need ideas)
CD/DVD burning/clone -> (need ideas)
msn messenger replacement -> (need ideas)

games, and dvd back ups I will have a secondary machine for so that I can do all that fancy stuff.

 

CD/DVD burning/clone -> K3B Comes with KDE but can be sought seperate, there were some kernel problems last time I used it, may need to check

msn messenger replacement -> LOADS google for Linux IM (GAIM is a good'un)

Foobar can do MP3 I think, but theres loads again.

 

Kubuntu is Ubuntu, but using KDE as the desktop environment instead of GNOME. AFAIK it uses the same repository for software so should have the same packages available.

For avi/mpeg/general video mplayer is the daddy. For something more WMP like under Gnome try Totem.

Music wise Gnome will likely have something installed. I use Amarok personally (needs the KDE libraries though) which I think will also handle your ipod. For something resembling Winamp look into XMMS or Beep Media Player, they can even use Winamp skins.

K3B is arguably the best GUI based cd burner, can't think of anything that comes close

For MSN try aMSN, or if you use other protocols you could try GAIM or Kopete which will handle AIM, Yahoo etc too. Recent versions have webcam support.

At the end of the day its all free, so try a few programs out

 

GNOME is generally better than KDE, but kubuntu should still be fine (Ubuntu is shipped with GNOME & Kubuntu is shipped with KDE). You can always add Gnome to Kubuntu once it's installed.

Firefox <- web
Thunderbird <- Email
mp3/music/avi/mpeg -> xmms, VLC
music transfer for ipod -> GTKpod
CD/DVD burning/clone -> Arson
msn messenger replacement -> Gaim

This is a handy link for replacement software:

http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html

 

Awesome... I no longer an dependant on windows hehehe... except for games

 

let the flamewars begin!

KDE is far superior to gnome in all respects.

as you have kubuntu handy, i think everyone has pretty much covered the stuff you asked for, you shoud have 'kaffeine', 'amarok' and 'k3b' installed with the kubuntu system, those three make a fine setup for playing music and managing your pod (amarok), playsing movies and such (kaffeine) and burning media (k3b).

 

Hehe, nah I don't do flame-wars It's all just personal preference really isn't it. If he has both he can try them both out & see what he likes best.

 

KDE is much too cramped... IMO, GNOME just has a generally nicer layout

 

eh...newer linux-ite here, but kde++

 

I used to like KDE but have massively gone off it recently. In my experience is gets very slow and clogged after maybe 5 or 6 day's usage. My system isn't fantastic but it should really be able to cope with KDE running for as long as I want it to. I've only ever used GNOME briefly and it's been fine so far as I can see. As I say I used to be a real advocate of KDE but I've learnt that it's just not that great. It's all about the XFCE

 

see, told you althoguh, admittedly a typicly refined british flamewar, not like those shouty american ones.

(and if you cant tell, both of my posts in this thread have been bored humour, just incase there are any americans reading)

and yes, as Hex said, its personal preference. but KDE still pwns.

 

I'll stick with flux if no one minds

 

^^ I second that

Hex pointed out the most good apps, but let me add:
If you have a Windows Licence for Nero, you should be able to use that in Nero Linux.
If you only use MSN Messenger (and not ICQ and stuff), aMSN will be slightly better.

But what I do recommend Arkuden, slightly OT , is that once you understand the """windows interface of ubuntu""" (-> point and click) you dig a bit deeper and explore the CLI, and maybe other distro's. I think (K)Ubuntu are very good starter distro's, but I think it's lacking a bit of the true power of the Linux kernel. And since most people on this forum are above average PC users, I would recommend explore... (Gentoo is THE one distro to rule them all )

 

If you do choose to go exploring, Fedora is a good next step, but I think Ubuntu and its derivatives are the perfect replacement for a lot of people.

Also, for all those programs above, just run AutomatiX. That will take care of most of their installs off the bat.

 

Xfce > KDE > Gnome

Amarok > *

 

The difference is minimal as you want a server install then apt-get x and fluxbox anyway (well that's my opinion).

In terms of the apps you're after
music > mplayer
video > mplayer
cd burning etc > cdrecord
msn > gaim.

IMHO both Gnome and KDE are horrible, too bloated and slow, but then I like minimal so most of my stuffs is command line, and flux is as minimal (but still supermegaace) as a window manager can get.

Love,
Col.

 

Xmms, mplayer, gaim, cdrecord

Last time I tried aMSN it was AWFUL!

KDE and Gnome both suck, fvwm all the way

 

well , after much headache I finally have ubuntu running the internet properly. I spent nearly two days trying to get my wireless adapter working to no avail and finally i put some wire in and now im up and going. Im runnin on gnome right now as kubuntu really pissed me off trying to work with it. gnome isnt much better so far but after the headache i just had trying to install anything... i dont know if i can be bothered to waste another few days for each program. if anyone has any ways to install these programs thats easy ill be glad to do it.

 

Have you tried using apt, Arkuden? I'm assuming you want to try some of the things people have suggested.

First of all, you need to enable extra repositories for apt.
Open up a terminal, and type "sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.backup" (this will backup the file in case you mess up)
Now type "sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list" This will open a text file, and you need to remove the #s from the lines with what look like URLs in them. There's instruction in the file. After doing this, close nano by Ctrl-X, and save the file.
Next, type "sudo apt-get update"
After this has finished, you can now use apt to search for the programs, and install them. In a terminal, you can search by using "apt-cache search *" (where * is the program you want)
If it is there, you can then install it - "sudo apt-get install *" (use the name that appeared)
If all is well, then you shold have the program installed.
Alternatively, you can use the GUI for apt, Synaptic. I personally find it a lot easier to use a terminal, however. Plus, once you start using the command line a bit more, you will gain confidence faster.

EDIT: Have a look through this .
Also look at Automatix and Easy Ubuntu for installing lots of basic stuff easily, I prefer Automatix but both are equally as good.

 

I can't stress enough how awsome amaroK is. I use it to manage my collection, and download my podcasts. (although it could use some more podcast setting features, but it still gets the job done)

These screenshots don't do it justice, but they help give an idea of the features.

I use amaroK with a MySQL backend (a bit more work to setup than sqlite, but worth it once your collection gets big) under Gnome and it works great.

As for KDV vs Gnome, I really couldn't tell you, since that's a preference based thing. Some people might quote stats, but technically the Mac Menubar is scientifically faster to use than any other menu bar, but I still prefer the gnome/kde/windows method of attaching the menu bars to the app even though it is technically slower to use.

You've got to throw science out the window at some point when you are deciding your linux desktop. (although I still encourage new users to use a 100% free distro... paying for free software just doesn't make sense unless you are donating to a project)