One Week of Linux (Status Report 1)

This is my seventh day of Ubuntu 6.1 Linux and I like it so far. I have sworn off MS Windows (at home) for 30 days and I plan on sticking to it. After one week of using Linux I have not missed my MS Windows Laptop too much. I have been able to get Linux to do everything I've wanted it to so far with one exception, VPN. If I want to access my work I have to VPN in to get to anything. Well our VPN machine is Linux based but I haven't found the time to research the VPN Client I need. But I feel I should be able to get the VPN to work on this Linux Box because the VPN server is Linux Based. I also think this will be hard. The other thing I miss is the Laptop mobility itself. This is not Linux's fault, the Box I had was a Desktop Dell that I rebuilt for someone.

What Have I done so far:

1. I've installed Ubuntu 6.1
2. Got Ubuntu working with my internet
3. Customized my Desktop
4. Installed several application that did things I needed to do.
5. Installed a second Package Installer
6. Got Ubuntu (easily) working with six different removable hard drives and thumb drives
7. Got my Cannon S2 1S camera working
8. Updated my Video Drivers
9. Got DVDs playing
10. Got my PodCasts downloading automaticly
11. Got internet radio stations working
12. Burned Music CDs
13. Burned Data CDs
14. Got my Sanyo Cell phone to Sync with Evolutions
15. Used thumb drive to transfer work files (MS Office Docs) to this Linux box and edit them with OpenOffice.
16. Created and maintained this Blog

Things I plan on doing:

1. Networking with my MS Network (shares)
2. VPN into Work
3. Remote Desktop
4. Memory Upgrade
5. Use some HTML editors with lite java
6. Install and use WINE
7. VMWare what is it and what can it do
8. Add a Firewire PCI Cadr
9. Add a Linksys Wireless Network Card
10. Edit Video shot with a Samsung Camcorder
11. Rip Cd audio
12. Rip DVD
13. Sync a Dell Axim Pocket PC 2003
14. Install a Scanner (cannon)
15. Install a printer (HP laserjet 1200 USB)
16. Access a remote printer on a MS Windows Box
17. Share a local Printer with a MS Windows Box
18. Add a second Hard Drive
19. Explore some network tools (packet readers, port scanners, ect.)
20. Learn the command line
21. Learn the file Linux structure (where does what live on the had drive)
22. Learn some disk editing tool (sector editor in windows)
23. Install and use MYSQL
24. Install and use Appache

Things have been going kind of fast. I've spent 3 to 5 hours a day working with this Linux Box. So Far I have been using my "Click and Pray" method and it has went well but as you can see from the to do list above you can't just CLICK some of those things and have them magically work (especially the LEARN things).

After one week of use I give Ubuntu 6.1 Linux an 8.5 of 10. If I stopped right now I could do 85% of what I usually do with a computer. The VPN, Web Site Programing and Graphics Editing will move that number up to 95%. I am a die hard Photoshop user and have been for years so switching to GIMP is a challenge. If I can install WINE and get Photoshop working that would rock. This is all based on the options of someone who has only been using LINUX for 7 days (21 to 35 hours total on keyboard time)