Ubuntu installed... First Impressions of a 1st time Linux user
A few weeks ago, as described in my previous post (Ubuntu with No Hard Drive), my hard drive failed on my Compaq Presario X1000 laptop.
I figured out that I could be 90% or 95% functional using Linux (Ubuntu) in its Live CD (my case it was Live DVD) functionality.
Anyhow, I finally received my replacement hard drive from TigerDirect and installed it today. Installed Ubuntu (no problem, super slick). Here are my initial thoughts:
(1) Wow.... A laptop. Lots of weird, non standard hardware. You would think installing linux would be an issue (installing a non-customized Windows release was extremely tricky). Installing Ubuntu Linux on the hard drive was a zero frustration event. It took 30 minutes. Full wireless functionality even before the install started. Nice.
(2) Having run off of the LiveDVD for about 6 days, after the install was complete, I was pretty familiar with the interface. It worked fine. I've been using OpenOffice for Windows for over 2 years, so no adjustment required there.
(3) Adding software. If you use the add/remove function (Application menu), no problem. I'm still dicking around trying to install a better driver for my laptop's touchpad (I hate the "tap to click" function and want to turn it off). So my input would be that all drivers/software should come with a GUI install element.
(4) I'm bored. Again. Which is good for Ubuntu in my mind. The switch was so seamless that I can't really think of anything I want to "discover" beyond what already works fine. I'm back to checking email, connecting to my corp servers using the Terminal Server client, and generally not missing Windows.
Whatever happened to DrDOS?
2 Comments:
Once you actually start to USE Ubuntu you might have a change of heart.
Last night I tried to upgrade Amarok, perhaps the greatest music player ever. Natually, it wouldn't upgrade cause apt-get claimed that I had the most current version. So I added the edgy repository to install it, then I was told there were a dozen files that I need to install but apt-get WON'T install them. I thought apt-get was supposed to install dependencies, but I guess not. Apt-get is beginning to look different than on the brochure.
Next I tried to upgrade the OS to Edgy. Of course, half way through it aborted and didn't work. Now XGL won't run.
That Ubuntu install worked out of the box. And as long as you don't install or modify anything, it will keep running. But God have mercy on you if you actually change anything. And I hope you never have to secure a wireless connection with a WEP key. Have lots of antacid on hand if you try that.
I'm learning that one of the main trade offs between Windows and Linux (I've only tried Ubuntu 6.10) is that stuff that seemed simple in Windows isn't.
You're right.. Basically, if you want to go beyond the standard install, things can get tricky quickly.
While running off of the LiveDVD setup, I removed the security from my wireless router to allow me to connect. I figured the WEP support would come when I installed the full deal on my hard drive. No such luck.
After reading your comment, I Googled for "Ubuntu wireless" and quickly found that I could add KWiFiManager through the Add/Remove menu. So my total work time setting up a connection to a secure network was 20 minutes (including Googling for the how-to).
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