Ubuntu 8.04LTS installation review.

I just installed Ubuntu 8.04LTS on my Dell Inspiron 5100. The installation went smooth, but I was disappointed that Google Toolbar is not compatible with Firefox 3B5. Most of the hardware is working correctly, but my S-Video out does not work. This is common with fresh installs.

I also performed the new Wubi install. The neat thing about this type of install, is that you perform it from within Windows. I am not very familiar with that type of install yet, but it creates a large file in Windows rather than using a different partition. This makes it easier to test drive the distro before really commiting to the change (which means re-formatting your intire drive in some cases.) The process in this case is very easy to reverse because the Wubi install can be uninstalled from the windows control panel.

The result of the Wubi install is that the user can choose between Windows of Ubuntu when the computer is booting. The speed of the Wubi install is slower than a standard installation. I typically keep one partition for my OS files, a second for my swap partition, and another partition for my home directory, which runs quick. My hard drive also has a fourth partition that I run Windows on, just to keep around for work purposes.

In the other room I am currently upgrading my Lenovo to Ubuntu 8.04 from an installation I've been upgrading sense Ubuntu 6. That is my primary computer, and I use it for most of my day to day work. It has an 80GB hdd that is devided into 3 partition: swap, root, and home. That machine actually runs everything, but I will be testing out life without my Google Toolbar for a little while (at least no toolbar at home.) I don't think I could give it up for too long.

So far the install is going sort of slow. I have Qwest DSL, which is supposed to be a 7mb connection, but it doesn't ever seem to get close to that speed. I must admit I am comparing it to the Gigabit connection at work, but that is a different story.

It reported that more than 1300 files will be upgraded. Most of which would be un-installed first. I am not sure if the upgrade will actually mess up my system in any way yet; I have had issues with my S-Video out after upgrades in the past, but I am hoping that even though I am sure I know how to deal with the issue, I do not want to do it again.

So, I'll get back once I have my third version of Ubuntu up and running.