When someone ask you what operating system you’re on two answers typically appear on an average person’s mind. These are: Windows or Mac OSX (Click me for a comparison between the two). What people don’t realize is that there are many other alternatives to these operating systems available, the only difference is that on a usability level they aren’t viable options for the average consumer. For the geeks (like people who read this blog) they like experimenting with new Linux based operating systems. The easiest to start with by far is Ubuntu. In my opinion it branches between Windows and Mac and if it had a billion dollar companies backing it, it could actually make a dent in the operating system world.

Ubuntu has been around since 2004 and is by far one of my favorite Linux based operating systems that I have used. When using it for a long time you will notice that every time a new operating system comes out the UI really doesn’t change at all. It has been CLOSE to the same thing since the beginning. Although the UI didn’t change much the functionality has changed GREATLY since its first release. In fact it has gone from command line application installs to a standard gui installation procedure for applications. Ubuntu’s latest version is 9.10 (AKA Karmic Koala) and the next release surprisingly have an enormous change in UI. This is a lot like how the evolution of the Mac has occurred. Think of the current operating system as an OS 9, kinda crappy UI but very effective. By the look of the new operating system it reminds me of the release of OSX. The new release is incredibly pretty, new logo amazing new menu system (that I’m sure people will both love and hate). Take a look at the pictures:

Here is a screenshot of the current version of Ubuntu:

Ubuntu_9.10

Now here is a screenshot of Ubuntu 10:

darkthemeClick me for more images of Ubuntu 10

Now as you can tell these two images are incredibly different! What does this mean for Ubuntu though? Either this new update will be the OSX where it only increases the users or it can be Vista where it’s so different it’s bad and decreases the amount of users. I’ll let you guys make the call, let me know what you all think in the comments!

Last 5 posts by Paras Chadha