Since this machine all of a sudden slowed down after "upgrading" Ubuntu, to me the problem is obvious... It's funny how you criticize Windows as being so bad, so you use a "better" OS.
I ran linux for almost 10 years but that ended 5+ years ago, so I've no clue what's out there now. Why not try a leaner distro and see how this machine runs. It's funny that your machine is worlds faster and better spec'd than my desktop, but I don't have issues like you describe.
As noted, 4gb of RAM is plenty !
Is linux "ready for the desktop" *yet* ?
Sent from my ADR6400L
In my opinion, Linux is the lesser of the three evils. There are trade offs for certain.
In my opinion, the newest Linux is bloated because the people that write it assume you want all the gee-whiz eye candy and they assume you have the latest and greatest and bestestusus hardware, that you play the upgrade every week game.
Linux USED TO BE really fast. But not so any more. I've had it for a few years as well and it used to be plenty fast. Since the version 10 stuff, it's gotten horrendously slow and bloated.
Ubuntu that is..
Why do I use Ubuntu? Because it's the only one that was idiot friendly enough for me to install by myself. The others are too "nerdy" for me.
I do not have the smarts or the patience to use the other super-nerd geek versions. I want and need simple. I need it to just work. Like OSX does.
Windows is never ending grief. I've had it with Windows, I will never, ever, under any circumstances go back to using it as my primary desktop. Period. End of discussion.
I have it on my home theater machine and I do not like it, at all. I also do not interact with it except when I pop out of the satellite app and do file maintenance or try to squish recordings down from their native format to mpeg4 so I can keep them for the long term. I didn't build that pc, I didn't install windows or the satellite app on it, it's not my baby, I simply adopted it as a stepchild of a previous marriage. Really...
If I could only get an Azbox that will record S2 and OTA TV in a single box, I would glady get rid of the windows pc. I really want to be rid of that pc completely but I can not find a satellite tuner that "does it all" in one box.
The Openbox tuners are an abysmal disappointment that fall far, far short of my needs. Not even remotely close. I won't go into the details but yeah, not even close.. So for now, I'm stuck with the windows pc.
Anyway.. Previously, for a few years, the Linux was fine. All I used ~this pc~ for is just reading webpages, facebook, email, etc. Simple, basic things. I think the term is "internet appliance"..
It did fine for that. But this Ubuntu, it constantly hounds me with notices to upgrade. Upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, upgrade, and upgrade again. Do it now! Panic! Security patch! Important update! ZOMG!!!
So I have been doing that. And things really do not improve. Things just get more bloated and slower. Then things break and the PC quits working completely and I have no choice but to install a whole new copy. So then I see that the version 9 stuff is no longer supported. It's been abandoned and updates are no longer available. So I'm forced to update to the 10 point whatever. And the cycle begins again. Time goes on, more updates and eventually something breaks and I have to install a new copy. And here we go again, they are pushing the version 11 now. So I try that and it's HORRIBLE.. I can't use it. It STINKS. They botched it up so badly that it's unusable. So I go back and install the version 10 stuff again.
Now it hounds me to upgrade to version 11, every bloody day. I went in and changed the settings on the updates and upgrades to STOP notifying me but it still does anyway..
I'm guessing I could maybe go back to an old version and get some speed back but then those versions are now unsupported. Or I go go to a nerdy version like Fedora or something but those are too unfriendly towards idiots like me.
But now, here's where I'm really at..
I just spent a LOT of money on a very expensive camera. I bought a brand new Canon EOS 5D mark II. I'm going to spend a lot more money on the camera over the next year coming.
It's not unreasonable to project that I'll be into my camera and accessories for $20,000 before it's all done. I'm into it now for close to $5,000 just for my starter kit. I could easily spend another $10k or $15k on lenses and other goodies.
I want a BIG telephoto lens. And a medium one too. A fisheye. A macro. A tiltshift. etc... I'm getting into my photography hobby in a big way now. I'm stepping up from toy cameras to the big leagues. I bought the second best camera that Canon makes. The only camera they make that's better than mine is the 1D series and the bodies for them start at $8,000. I don't need a 1D though because I will never be shooting sports/action stuff. My 5D will do me just fine.
So I need to be able to process photo and videos. My 5D records video at 1080p and the quality is insane. Examples:
[video=vimeo;28040685]http://vimeo.com/28040685[/video]
[video=vimeo;16917950]http://vimeo.com/16917950[/video]
[video=vimeo;31426899]http://vimeo.com/31426899[/video]
Be sure to view them in HD and full screen. These videos were all shot with a Canon EOS 5D mark II. The same camera I just bought.
I've looked at and tried ALL the photo processing and video editing apps available for Linux and none of them will suit my needs.
I need the Adobe stuff. I need the big league stuff.
I need speed, I need dependable, I need simple, I need tech support. I have to use Adobe. I despise their c**ppy flash product but for photo and video editing, there is nothing better.
So, it's time to go back to Apple. It works, it's simple. Or as they say, it simply works.
Eventually I will buy a Mac Pro that's all maxed out but that's going to have to wait until 2013. 2012 my focus will be on getting the rest of my wish list filled for my camera.
Microsoft, is not on my shopping list. Not at all. Not ever..
