Kubuntu for total newbie and not technical either, is it suitable for people like me?

[benitoff]

Hi, I'm pretty fed up with the OS that comes with many laptops and want to change, I want to change because Im irritated by windows, not because of any other reason, Im not technical, Im not passionate about OSs, not interested learning or doing any programming techie stuff either, I just want something as easy to use as windows seven but preferably Kubuntu ( from what Ive read and been told ) this is the one to go for, is that correct?
Ideally I would like to get feed back form several people in my same situation and lack of expertise and lack of desire to gain expertise ( only a stable very usable and user friendly OS )
Till now I've kinda been put off by the level of technical ability required for Linux, but always wanted to try. Ive got to change my hardrive in the next week or so so its now or perhaps never.
Or is it possible to install Kubuntu and Windows 7 on the hardrive and choose which I use ?
Thanks very much in advance.
Ben

[Jimmy.P]

I use kubuntu on a daily basis. It is really stable I have never had any issue in almost 2 years. I run the 12.04 version and now I am using the 14.04 version. But unlike you i am intressted in packaging and a very little in developing. But mostly I use my os for facebook and googling and tons of email. I also use Libreoffice and I like to make some nice documents for our company.
I use wine to install an old version of photoshop.

If i were you I would either install Kubuntu alongside Windows or even better I would install Virtualbox in Windows and then try out Kubuntu. I really don't think you never have to open a terminal if you use Kubuntu but it is fun and easy to learn how to use a terminal.

Oh and Kubuntu is the best to learn how to use linux i think. I have used linux maybe ten years but I really like how easy Kubuntu is

[benitoff]

I'll give it a try

Hi Jimmy,thank you for the prompt post reply.
I think I'll take your advice and try the Virtual box option leaving my options open.
As I use the lap top for work, I really need to just do what its designed for, email, internet and a few other bits and pieces.
Hopefully Kubuntu will work well, smoothly and I will keep using it.
I'll try and keep this post up to date.
Thanks.
Ben

I use kubuntu on a daily basis. It is really stable I have never had any issue in almost 2 years. I run the 12.04 version and now I am using the 14.04 version. But unlike you i am intressted in packaging and a very little in developing. But mostly I use my os for facebook and googling and tons of email. I also use Libreoffice and I like to make some nice documents for our company.
I use wine to install an old version of photoshop.

If i were you I would either install Kubuntu alongside Windows or even better I would install Virtualbox in Windows and then try out Kubuntu. I really don't think you never have to open a terminal if you use Kubuntu but it is fun and easy to learn how to use a terminal.

Oh and Kubuntu is the best to learn how to use linux i think. I have used linux maybe ten years but I really like how easy Kubuntu is

[benitoff]

Hi Teunis, thanks for your input and I'm sure you're right.

[dibl]

Hi, I'm pretty fed up with the OS that comes with many laptops and want to change, I want to change because Im irritated by windows ...

Your motivation is exactly the same as my motivation some 8 or 9 years ago. I added a second (RAID 1 mirrored) hard drive to my Win XP box, and all of a sudden I had a failure to boot and an 800-number to the Far East, and a lecture about how many drives my XP license entitled me to have in the computer, and finally (by His Majesty's grace, I guess) a new license key to let it authenticate again with the second drive. I was beyond insulted -- I resolved to change my situation. Here's the Reader's Digest version of the rest of the story.

You will need to learn a few new technical things about Linux, just like you learned some technical things about Windows at some previous time. You will experience some frustration -- probably about the limits of proprietary hardware in the open source world. You will have to change a habit or two. But, I can guarantee you the "learning curve" that you will have to experience will be very well worth it -- you can pretty much set yourself and your computer free. Just do it.

[GreyGeek]

Beniftoff, As I grow older (73+) and more forgetful I appreciate the ease with which I can use the Kubuntu KDE4 desktop. Secondly, there is no place on the Internet that is as friendly and useful to KDE4 users as this forum!

[mastablasta]

Or is it possible to install Kubuntu and Windows 7 on the hardrive and choose which I use ?

that would be very recomended. if your hardware is fully compatible there is nothing much to do in the tech arena for ordinary user. my dad uses it. computer is fully compatible, so he has no issues (so far..).

from software point of view it is much easier if you already used the opensource programs on windows. such as libre office, firefox, thunderbird, gimp. inkscape etc. it's makes it much much easier to switch. if however you are used to Windows only programs then prepare for a rough ride.

[jlittle]

...from software point of view it is much easier if you already used the opensource programs on windows. such as libre office, firefox, thunderbird, gimp. inkscape etc. it's makes it much much easier to switch

My mother-in-law, 87, was an Open Office and firefox user. I've switched her from Windows XP to Lubuntu and for the most part she only notices that her computer is now much faster. Her only difficulty has been with Thunderbird, but she was in for that anyway, as her old email was Outlook express, discontinued.

Regards, John Little

[benitoff]

I've been using Gimp for a few years and enjoy it, its got far more features than I will ever use, but its a great program, also thunderbird for over 7 years and I wouldnt switch back to outlook. I've also used Chrome, Opera, Firefox browsers over the years, not at all keen on explorer although the odd website is not too clever on chrome.
I should have my new SSD hard drive in a few days and will ask the technician to install Windows7 and also Kubuntu and gradually make the move.
My worry is that I'm on the computer all day for work and need it to simply work, Im sure I'll get used to it in no time.
I've already got disc ready to hand over....

[Qqmike]

Benitoff, you'll quickly get used to Kubuntu (and most other Linux distros, esp mainstream ones like Mint and Ubuntu et al).

Windows is not all that easy to get used to, it takes an effort (and some cash) to deal with it: the registry edits/cleaning, cleaning the system (CCleaner helps), defragmenting, virus/malware control (in 8.1 you might hope that Windows Defender will do the job, but it is an issue to be vigilant about). And it is slow: updates take time; boot-up takes time. And, when problems do arise, many require some close detailed attention and require some time to resolve; sometimes you have to decipher the KB help articles and often they fall short of resolving your specific problem.

On balance, no question imo--trust me and most of us here--Kubuntu is simpler, easier, faster. ;-)

And when you do have a problem, as the saying around Linux goes, at least you (almost always) CAN fix it yourself, possibly with some help here (which is not always the case with Windows).

(A former experienced/somewhat advanced user of XP and its Professional suites; recently I've learned and configured Windows 8.1 on a new laptop for a family member. My personal, exclusive use of Kubuntu dates back to 2006.)

[xlc123]

Im relatively new to Linux, I have dabbled over the years but always returned to Windoze, however last xmas (2013) I had Win 8 on my lappy and just couldnt get used to it after win 7, so I made the switch to Ubuntu.
Once 14.04 came out I dual booted my lappy with Win7 and Kubuntu. Im no expert by any means, but I have managed very easily to get to grips with Kubuntu. 1 month into 14.04 and I love it. I havent used windoze since last xmas. I have 1 program that I occassionally need windoze for, otherwise Id have not even bothered dual booting.
Kubuntu is the best linux for a novice like me.
Dont be too frightened by command line stuff, theirs loads of help on the internet, I dont fully understand it but have managed to do everything I need. Their is always someone to help!

[sithlord48]

linux is not windows ( http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm )

might be a good read if you expect linux to be like windows.

[OldSmoky2]

I have a similar background with computers in that I'm not a techie, don't write code, don't do sys admin work, etc. I just use a computer as a tool to do other things, mostly writing, the Internet, email, other communications, music, watch video/TV, occasionally some graphics. I have used Kubuntu since 11.04 as my main distribution and haven't had many problems. This is on several computers to this point (let's see - two desktops, two laptops, and a netbook). When I have had an issue, I've found answers online fairly easily - more here than anywhere else. Unlike what I read that others do, every time a new version of Kubuntu has been released, I've upgraded with the software updater and had no problems. So I'd say it's a really stable choice. One bit of advice: my current desktop is only seven months old or so and came with Windows 8 (it's a Dell). I decided to leave Windows on it as I was possibly transitioning to another job and thought I might need it at some point (I haven't). So I installed Kubuntu alongside it. The first time I re-booted after installation it still just started Windows automatically. So I searched and found here that the answer was to run Boot Repair. I had to use it one other time when I booted Windows for some reason, let it run an update while I had it on, and then discovered that Windows had taken over the boot process again and didn't give the choice to boot Kubuntu. But Boot Repair is really simple and quick to run. You just might want to check it out before you do a dual boot install, in case you need it. But overall, I highly recommend Kubuntu. I check out other Linux distros from time to time on an old laptop, but I think Kubuntu is the best OS around.