Ubuntu Satanic Edition: A Review
Words of caution
Be forewarned: What you are about to see isn't for everyone! This review concerns Ubuntu Satanic Edition, which is an unofficial variant of the Ubuntu Linux operating system. While its creators make it quite clear on the project website that they aren't (necessarily) Satanists, but (merely) creative folks who appreciate dark themes, Ubuntu SE has attracted quite a bit of controversy since its inception. There are those who wanted Ubuntu SE banned outright, including some that have posted frequently and lengthily to the project's website.
Disclaimer: This review - including use of associated images and screenshots - is neither an endorsement of Satanism nor of Ubuntu Satanic Edition, and should not be construed as such. I find the graphics astonishingly well-made, the OS runs like a dream (nightmare?) inside a VMware virtual machine running on Windows, and so I thought it fair enough to review it.
The Ubuntu SE desktop
The desktop
I am a Windows user and someone who doesn't care for using dual-boot configurations. However, I do appreciate some aspects of the Linux operating system, and therefore use virtual machines running inside of Windows on the VMware Player software. I regulary use Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint.
Ubuntu Satanic Edition's desktop, here shown in the Gnome variant, basically looks and works like any other Ubuntu-based system. The "multiple desktop" choices are available in the lower right corner, which conveniently allows a user to keep separate desktops for different purposes - e.g. one for word processing, one for Internet browsing, and one for graphics. The desktop is uncluttered.
Ubuntu SE does, however, give an unusual choice of wallpapers and the option to use a dark theme, which makes toolbars and menus appear in black and dark gray - creating overall an effect which some people might find upsetting, but which others report is quite conducive to creative work and rational thought.
Taking notes with Tomboy
Tomboy Notes
Tomboy Notes is a very useful note-taking application, which automatically creates inter-linked notes based upon keywords. Type a few words, highlight those, and press the linking icon, then a note is created with that title. In the future, whenever you type those words, a link to the original note is automatically generated.
Basic text editor
Gedit text editor
What makes the Gedit text editor so useful is its ability to show multiple documents side by side. This is perfect for working on the first draft of several articles, outlines and such, which can then be moved to a more advanced word processing application later on during the creative process. Gedit is also very light on system resources, and it is possible to have several windows open simultaneously - all with multiple tabs. So working in 10 or 20 documents at once isn't a problem at all.
Browsing with Opera
Opera 10 web browser
Ubuntu Satanic Edition comes with Firefox pre-installed. However, an internal package manager makes it easy to find and securely install different browsers and other applications. Opera provides a light-weight alternative with many convenient features and customization options. It is also one of the fastest browsers around.
Word processing with Open Office
Open Office Writer
Depending on the configuration, the Open Office suite - including a word processor, spreadsheets, drawing application and more - may or may not be included with Ubuntu OS. If not, the free program can easily be downloaded and installed via the built-in package manager. Once you have it up-and-running, most of the familiar features from Microsoft Office will be available.
Endnote (The End!)
File management
Exit music....
Exit...exit music
Goodbye!
Comments
Hello WryLilt: Nay, let Mr. LaVey rest in peace (if applicable). Aha, so you want to look deeper, and see what you may find in those photos. Very well, in the spirit of Open Source and the diabolic temptations of being candid, I have made all of the images clickable for a larger view. Thanks, W.E.
Thanks. :-D
I'll totally get this... after my 250 hubs, uni finished and half my manuscript. Grrr I hate finding MORE new things I want!
WryLilt, I will follow your development with interest and look forward to seeing what comes next.
Ahaha i don't expected That from you WE :)
But i'm glad you publish an Ubuntu review, this release is not one of my favorite..but if can bring more people on the "good side" of the OS it's welcome.
Nice hub
Linuxaria, thank you very much. No, this hub is a bit unusual for me, but something I'd been pondering on doing for some time. I am glad that you found it. Sure, this is not a mainstream distribution, and I don't blame you for not having it among your favorites. It is Ubuntu with some artwork, really, but hardly the best of the distros technically speaking. W.E.
WE,
I have never heard of Ubuntu Satanic Edition before.I have been using only Windows XP and I have got used to it so much can't think of learning anything else.I would very much like to know about the OS that came later.I find the world of computers growing day by day and difficult to keep pace with.
This one is intriguing but those who like satanic concepts will love this.How does the exit music sound.You amaze me with your knowledge of computers.Awesome and hoping to learn more from you.
Uma
Thanks Uma, I too am a Windows XP user, and anything else is more of a supplement. Ubuntu SE comes with some pretty dreadful heavy metal music, as you might imagine. Look forward to sharing my computer knowledge and exchanging information with you! W.E.
Hi Website Examiner,
I never heard Ubuntu Satanic Edition. Although, I am one of windows users. But Linux OS is another option to use too, it is my favorite open source. Feeling freedom in my hand when using Linux. I recommend my friends to use Linux. Thanks for telling Ubuntu Satanic Edition: Review.
Nbbatt, thank you - I agree that Linux is an attractive alternative - or, especially - supplement to Windows, and highly recommended for anyone with the patience and time to learn something new. Ubuntu Satanic is not well-known, which was a major reason for my decision to review it. I don't expect many people to try it out, but at least here it is...
I am pretty sure some people will get this and set it up just for Diablo 3. ;)
Dense, I think so too! This they do at their own risk, of course, but curiousity can be like a magnet. Thanks.
cooooooooooooooooooool!!!!! ;) of course you will probably get hate mail, even with the disclaimer. You know how people love windows...
Thanks for your lovely comment! True, true, but hate mail is better than none at all, right?
=) yeah, I guess yor right. Anyway, I really do like this hub, I had heard of the.... (looks around and makes sure no one is eavesdropping) ...satan version.. of Ubuntu, but kind of forgot about it since I hadn't actualy seen it. Its neat. I did not know about the coolness of the Gedit text editor. I really really really want that.
Oh, you heard about that. Gedit is now available for Windows too. It is not quite as smooth as for Linux, but it is available and does work. Glad that you enjoyed the hub. Take care!
Thanks for publishing Ubuntu review. Ubuntu is most secure operating system provided by linux. It is not that user friendly, but provide some good features than windows operating system.
I agree with you that Ubuntu is not as user friendly compared with Windows, but no doubt it is safer. Thanks, W.E.
I'm going to yell at you a bit: YOU'VE SHOWN ME HOW TO LINK, WE! I'VE BEEN UNABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT FOR OVER A YEAR, AND YOU FINALLY WERE ABLE TO TEACH ME IN THE 'TOMBOY' SECTION. I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!
Whew! I'm pretty sure that was not your intent, but it worked!! Seriously, I've been at this computer business for only a year now, and self-taught, too boot, so understanding this complex machine is a challenge, to say the least.
Perhaps you could describe 'monetization' and 'keywords' now!? I'll be reading, that's for sure!
Oh, and by the way, I began reading this hub because I have Ubuntu as an alternate OS to Windows. I don't know who put it in, but I'm glad it's here since Windows has been infected.
I've never seen the Satanic Edition, mine has an African "theme," I suppose you'd call it.
Hello Lorlie, I am a bit overwhelmed by your comment. If you have learned a thing or two from me, then that's wonderful to know and something that I am happy to hear. You have come far in one year, that's for sure. Tomboy, that's a brilliant application. Ubuntu, I am familiar with the theme that you use, and I have the very same one as a virtual machine. Clean, neat, and lean - always a pleasure to use. And safe, too, you are right. Thank you so much for commenting! Best wishes, W.E.
I'm so pleased at this development, I'm using it in a new hub-and it's working!
I'm still an XPer! But really would like to have a go at Linux. Similarly I'm not really a dual boot person, not a savy computer nerd so I'm not yet ready to dive into Linux and Ubuntu I do use Open Source software - like Gimp and Open Office and find it great. One day though I'm going to swallow hard and give it a go. MS after all is the dark side and I have a certain amount of guilt attached to using it as a lemming!
Good points, Jewels. I use XP as well, and happily too. Ubuntu is run in a virtual machine, which only requires a simple free program to work as a host. So there is no need to use "dual boot," I can run Windows and Ubuntu simultaneously side by side.
I've heard you can now run Ubuntu using a thumbdrive. That sounds like a great option. I guess it's really about having a network of helpers and advisors in case it all goes belly up!
It is true that there is an installer for thumbdrives, although that would require a dual-boot, so it is either Ubuntu or Windows. A handy tool.
Wow - interesting version of Linux, for sure! I had a (Windows) computer crash before the new year and I'm now a Linux user. Tho' I have some questionable hubs, I don't think I am ready for Satanic Linux/Ubuntu. Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you wrote, as well, about the general Ubuntu features, such as Open Office, Tomboy, etc.
Interesting it is! A solid operating system with a comfortable, dark color scheme, I think. Yes, the Ubuntu features are the underpinnings of the distribution. Linux has a stability to it that makes it a pleasure to use; seldom crashes or misbehaves. Thanks for your comment!
I made a mini-review of this distro on my Facebook page where I deemed this less a genuinely Satanic Linux distro and more for goths/black metal fans, or geeks that want to piss off their parents. It's basically Ubuntu with corpsepaint - no more, no less. Still, it's Ubuntu, which alone makes it worthy.
Thanks, Kevin. That sounds about right. Also, I believe that it is possible to "install" the distro simply by adding something on top of Ubuntu, instead of installing SE from scratch.
Wow, I'm a windows user myself and will give Ubuntu a try. I'm not sure about the satanic thing though.
I think it is a very good idea to try Ubuntu, just get the main distribution. Thanks for your comment.
WryLilt 20 months ago
Interesting review. Was it created by Anton LaVey? LoL
Just wondering if you could make some of the more item filled pictures clickable for a larger view? :-)