Has anyone tried Ubuntu?

[funkpilz]

Ubuntu is decent operating system for nerds, but not for artists. Scanners don't work and GIMP is a fricking joke. Most of the graphics software is, with the glorious exception of Inkscape, which is actually very usable.
In general, if you know what you're doing, by all means use Linux, but if not, stick with the OSs that actually get stuff done.
That being said, Ubuntu has come a long way since I used it first. It may even be a feasible alternative to OS X in about three years or so.

 

[oftheherd]

@bmattock, could you share some of the details of your Ubuntu/Vuescan/scanner setup? How well has this worked for you?

I'm researching scanner compatibility with Vuescan on Ubuntu or other Linux distros. I've been a Mac user for years. But it seems that I may be able to get a much more powerful system running Ubuntu for considerably less than the cost of a MacPro. However, being somewhat familiar with basic system administration tasks in Ubuntu I'm also aware that the time spent configuring a system is its own cost.

I've seen some interesting information at the Avasys website http://www.avasys.jp/lx-bin2/linux_e/scan/DL1.do but I've seen very little testimony about how well these scanner drivers actually work.

I haven't seen Bill post here in some time. Do an inet search for his current blog and see if he has anything there or if you can PM him on that site. I would give you a link but I forget what his blog is called. You could also check for his more recent posts here as I think he mentioned spending more time on that blog.

 

[wtagg]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try to contact him there.