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.

Linux in our lives.

Linux on PCs

Over the years, more and more people have heard of Linux. I have been watching this OS grow from difficult to usable, and recently I have really started to think the OS has a chance. I suppose the thing that worries me is seeing Linux distributions like gOS being sold at Wal-Mart. I am excited to see Linux pre-loaded on a cheap PC, however I would prefer to see an original Ubuntu distribution rather than a modified Ubuntu distribution that puts such a large emphasis on web 2.0 services.
Linux needs an easy to use distribution that functions the way Windows users expect the machine to function. Then, the additional perks of having online repositories of free software and clearly written documentation in laymen's terms.

Linux on Mobile Devices

I have been happy to see the Nokia 770, N800, and N810 released with Nokia's mobile OS, however I would have liked to see more long term support for at least the proprietary portions of the system. I was also disappointed to see a lack of pre-loaded PIM software. It was easy enough to add repositories to allow easy installation of a fairly impressive software library. I personally enjoyed loading putty for the purpose of using my own encryption for my personal internet traffic through untrusted access points.
Another mobile device I have high aspirations for is the Neo1973. I hope to see the retail version of this device released in the next year; you can currently obtain a really nice kit including the developer model, a debug board, and their OS pre-loaded on the phone. I just wish I were sponsored so I could give a review of this, however I plan on continueing on this idea after I actually get my hands on one of the advanced developer kits ($400 USD).
I am looking forward to the Google Android OS to be released. I have been testing simple applications with the SDK using Eclipse. I have found that Oreilly's Eclipse Pocket Guide was very useful to quickly familiarize myself with the IDE; which I felt was easy to transition to from Visual Studio. The Android OS features a built in web browser based on Webkit, a Google Map viewer, and Contact List.

I think this post is horrendous... however I will try and improve over time.

I think my next post will be themed around social networking.

If you read this, tell me what you think/hate/like?/how stupid I sound.

Later,

SteveO

New Blog!

I started this blog with the idea of having somewhere to just rant about tech news and that sort of stuff....

I will start ranting next post...

in a few minutes.


Later,

SteveO