My new Ubuntu
And here it is!!!
I have installed the RC1 of Ubuntu 8.04 on my work laptop. It rocks! It is just... perfect!!
I have been using linux on the servers for more than a decade, and linux on my desktops for 5-6 years. However it was in late 2004 that I switched to a totally linux desktop configuration. I can tell you for sure that it wasn't an easy ride, but the result is something that no windows or mac users can really understand.
My experience on the desktop is with SuSE, Gentoo and Ubuntu. I have dropped the SuSE ditro because it was more "corporate" than what I wanted. The Gentoo is my love, but it is hard to have on a desktop, when one just wants to get the job done. Ubuntu is just the thing that is needed.
Dead-easy installation, definitely easier than Windows. Just a small, but ultra-well documented hickup with DVD, MP3 and DivX playback (due to licensing issues) and you are ready to go.
I have installed the 8.04 RC1 (release candidate), but it is stable, the pulseaudio server (a FANTASTIC tool for audio applications and audio mixing) is just... working and... I am out of words...
Now for the technical issues... I wanted to use the alternate installation medium because I wanted LVM and a fully encrypted filesystem. They worked without a problem, however I had a problem with the default kernel settings in the grub line that booted the installation. The framebuffer was not working properly, so I had to disable it by hand. I haven't used the default medium on my HP Compaq 6710b laptop to see if this a generic problem, but I will. I know that my graphics card (the Intel GM965) is a little tricky so maybe I will do my part and send a bug notification to the Ubuntu team.
For all those who may rant about device compatibility, I will just say that out of the box, I had the following working:
- 3D accelerated desktop with all the effects for windows and desktop animation
- My USB Plantronics headset working and fully usuable through pulseaudio
- All the buttons on the laptop (wifi enable/disable, sound volume, sound mute, help button, touchpad scrollbar)
- My MS Bluetooth 5000 mouse just needed an extra edit to work (http://www.ubuntugeek.com/howto-setup-bluetooth-keyboard-and-mouse-in-ubuntu.html)
I know from previous experience that the fingerprint device is not so easy to setup and I don't know what is the current status. However I am not sure if it is so important or usable at all.
