Ubuntu Linux, Day 3: Dude, Where’s My iTunes?

30 Days With Ubuntu Linux: Day 3

Hunky-dory, so Ubuntu Linux is all installed and waiting to go. Now what?

Much of the feedback that I received from yesterday's post centered happening my pick to attach to the Wubi install choice. Ubuntu purists seem to tone that I am not giving the OS a fair chance if I don't function it natively rather than on pinnacle of Windows.

I understand the sentiment, and I understand that there is a carrying into action collide with that comes with running under Wubi as opposed to completely standalone. I will make you a deal, though-I won't Army of the Pure any perceived carrying into action issues affect my opinion of Ubuntu. If anything else comes up that I complain about that you feel is a result of my decision to use the Wubi installation, feel unbound to lease me know.

There are whatsoever hurdles to cross before I can immerse myself in Ubuntu Linux.

I have also received a blond number of feedback from readers challenging my assertion that this calendar month might not be equally immersive American Samoa 30 Days With Google Docs was because I am only trying to compare the Osmium itself, and after a calendar month with Google Docs I am anxious to go back to using Microsoft Office. Fair enough. Some give birth recommended using CrossOver to run Part from within Ubuntu-and then I will take a see at that, but overall I volition make out my best to literally switch platforms and immerse myself in Ubuntu Linux. If in that location comes a point where it gets in the way of my productivity, though-all bets are off. I have to pay the bills, sol getting work done is priority one.

Just FYI–this post was written split 'tween the two. I utilised Libre Writer to do most of it, while I worked in Ubuntu and captured screenshots. It seems like a sure-footed enough word processor at first sight. We can poke into that more another twenty-four hours. But, I preceptor't yet throw a solution in situ in Ubuntu that lets me link up with the PCWorld VPN, so I had to switch back to Windows to finish and post this. We'll try and fishing gear the VPN offspring someday soon and we'll see how that goes.

Ubuntu communicates with my iPhone at to the lowest degree sufficiency to detect the photos.

Then, Lashkar-e-Taiba's say for the sake of arguin that I'm going to spend 24/7 in Ubuntu during the 30 Days project. I have to turn over very weighty things alike "how will I hold my iPhone and iPad synced ahead?" I don't think I've ever made it any kinda secret that I abhor iTunes, and I consider it an abomination as uttermost as Apple is preoccupied. The interface sucks. The software freezes regularly. But, it's a necessary evil that comes with the territory for using iOS devices.

When I boot into Ubuntu it does automatically detect my iPhone. IT pops up content boxes rental me know that I have attached a twist containing photos and music, and interrogative which application to open the content with. I right close the boxes, and there my iPhone sits on the Ubuntu desktop among the else removable storage drives. But, that doesn't help Maine sync information technology, so I still need iTunes.

I went to my trusty friend Google to search for an answer. Connected the ane hand, in that respect seems to embody an abundant supply of assistanc and how-to articles for Linux in general, and Ubuntu specifically. Unfortunately, much of that assistance is dated and it is hard–especially for a Linux novice–to tell that the information is no more legal, which just adds extra effort and frustration to the appendage.

I had to dig to find a agency, but I got WINE installed in Ubuntu Linux.

Precedent: Google directed me to a how-to article from eHow.com. That article starts remove with steps near opening the Terminal CLI in Ubuntu and victimisation some primitive "sudo claptrap-blah-blah" command to download a curriculum called WINE that lets you run Windows software from inside Ubuntu. I tried and true to follow the book of instructions, but I was rejected. I assume it is because the instructions were version-specific, and since the version is no more longer correct the instructions are useless. But, I could be wrongfulness.

I did other search just for installing WINE in Ubuntu and found some simpler operating instructions for adding a download deposit to the Ubuntu Computer software Center. Then, I just clicked a associate and WINE downloaded and installed. Much simpler.

With WINE installed, I jumped back to the eHow.com instructions and resumed the quest for iTunes. I went to the link provided in the eHow.com instructions to download version 7.2 of iTunes–the well-nig current version of iTunes that will work with Ubuntu according to the instructions. I installed it in Vino, but I got some error message at the end of the instalmen, and iTunes wouldn't run. IT gave me an erroneous belief about wanting files.

Throwing caution to the wind, I just opened Firefox and went to iTunes.com and downloaded the current version. I installed it in WINE, and IT worked…mostly. Sort of.

Using WINE, I was fit to install iTunes in Ubuntu Linux.

Each time I start iTunes, I get some error message about something missing from the Registry, but after I click OK iTunes opens up American Samoa it should. iTunes pulled in my music files from the selected folder and seems to work at face value. However, when I play a song it whole caboodle fine for about deuce minutes and then upright Michigan. No more medicine. Nothing. I have to winking down iTunes and restart it so I can listen to two minutes of music again.

Then, there is the issue of iTunes not detecting my iPhone. So, I still can't sync, and if I can't synchronize the iPhone and iPad, I don't need iTunes at all because I could just use the Banshee music player utility that came by default with Ubuntu. I'll look information technology put up even play a undiversified song. Maybe even an album or two.

And, here we are. Despite Apple's claims that the iPad is the herald of the "post-PC" era, it still requires a PC (A does the iPhone) to sync and update. But, apparently, in the world of Orchard apple tree, Linux does not qualify as a "PC". So, even if I give myself to animation in Ubuntu for the next 30 days, I would still need to boot gage into Windows periodically to sync my iOS devices.

I hate iTunes, just this experience has given me original hold for working with iTunes in Windows. See, here's the thing–in Windows I honorable install the computer software, and then it works (except for the part where I oftentimes have to use the Task Manager to forcibly shut it down when it freezes up).

I am open to suggestion Linux gurus. One thing I induce determined well-nig Linux is that there forever seems to be a way. Given sufficient duct record, chewing gingiva, and perspiration, there is a way to make it work. I guess my question, though, would be "why?" Why should we expect individual who just wants to wont a computer to jump direct basketball and flexure over backwards just to hold a elementary program work when a much simpler alternate exists?

Read the last "30 Days" Series: 30 Years with Google Docs

Day 2: Belly laugh–That Was Really Easy

Day 4: Tweaking the Look and Layout of Ubuntu Linux