Ubuntu Kung Fu!

My Linux experience so far has been challenging and rewarding. I've learned so much in the past couple of days, mostly been copy and pasting command code, but I'm starting to catch on how Linux grooves.

What I've really enjoyed was learning how to get the latest graphics cards drivers from ATI installed. ATI had a 9.5 version for my card and I was still using the preloaded drivers that Ubuntu had packaged with the OS. I probably could have waited, but I also figured this was causing some of my graphics glitches and low frame rates while playing.

At first I had read in several different places that ATI didn't have very good support for Linux drivers. Most of these seem to be old information. I had finally found a Ubuntu Jaunty Wiki that had all the commands that I needed to get the installation completed. Once I got the lastest drivers installed I loaded up WoW without any of my addons disabled. I could tell a difference this time. I still have a graphics glitch where my character freezes while moving, but it doesn't happen very often like it was doing with the other drivers. I'll keep look to see if I can tweak to make things work. For now it is doable and only happens once every 5 to 10 minutes. Quickly changing direction or jumping makes it go away. (Kinda wondering if it could be an issue with wireless/keyboard mouse)

I found a good book that was free online to download a copy of called Ubuntu Pocket Guide by Keir Thomas. It is a very good beginners guide and reference. It is on my desktop screen for easy access. I also have on order Ubuntu Kung Fu it is by the same author. I love the kitten on the front it looks as though he is saying "I getz u".

For someone that doesn't know anything about Linux, which I would be in that category, Ubuntu is the way to go. It comes loaded with all the needs and wants of any human that is technology dependant. From photo editor to messenger client. Real quickly about messenger client. It comes preloaded with pidgin which works well, and no complaints on my part. I had been using Digsby which I really liked. It was an all in one communication/network client. You were able to twitter,social network, check email, and IM from this one client. Currently right now they do not have a Mac or Linux version. I'm hoping to find something like that out there for linux. If you do find that please comment here with the link. I would appreciate it.

Lastly I'd like to say from all my readings I have been very fortunate with my Linux/Ubuntu experience. Largely this is due to the Ubuntu community. Their dedication to putting out such an unbelievable quality of linux OS package is by far top notch. Also there is a huge community out there that is working constantly and is very willing to help out. I hope at some point I'll be able to be a part of those future contributions. Also I think I may have had some excellent luck with good hardware. So far all my hardware is working properly. Still need to check out the iPod nano, but I'm willing to move to another device if I do have issues. I can honestly see myself moving away from Windows fully a year from now. Once I'm good enough with the command line that I know and understand what I'm copy and pasting from someone else, I'll be able to move on. First I need to develop my knowledge.