Ubuntu 10.04 LTS

[thebige]

I have to tip my hat to the fine folks at Canonical. I know there are mixed emotions about Ubuntu in the die-hard Linux community but hear me out on this one.

I have an old HP NX6110 Laptop with 256MB of RAM, 40GB HDD and a Celeron M Processor. I had XP Home Edition SP3 loaded on it previously. The battery is original and therefore it didn't keep a charge very long at all. So I would just keep it plugged in all the time.

Now I have installed various flavors of Linux / Ubuntu before with limited success (as I would consider myself a Linux Newbie even though I have played with it for years off and on). Until now I have not been able to "cut the cord" and go all the way Linux.

Here is what happened.....

I downloaded the LTS (Long Term Support) of Ubuntu 10.04. Used UNetBootin to make a Live USB Stick. (Since the DVD Drive on this laptop is hit or miss, most of the time it misses) and did a full install.

Everything worked. It was really refreshing. All of the proper drivers, installed. The internal wireless adapter didn't work so I plugged it into the LAN upstairs and it automatically prompted me to update the software. I instantly had dread go through my mind because it wanted to download and install over 200 items. I thought to myself "Great.....I guess now is a good time to go make a sandwich." I come back 2 minutes later to check on it's progress and it was done! It automatically downloaded and installed the proper driver for the wireless so now that works.

Also, on another plus, I can now get up to 3 hours of battery life. With windows, I could get maybe an hour.

So I am not a fan-boy yet but I am well on my way! Thanks Canonical for making Linux accessible to the "average" user like me.

 

[grayfoxcomputing]

I use Linux quite a bit. 10.04 is the last one I'll use unless the decide to get rid of Unity. Change for change's sake is not always a good thing. Gnome works well but I'm sure they had their reasons to move away from it. I just prefer Ubuntu to work (which it does) and don't need the Unity menu or its prettiness.

You're right - hard core Linux fans berate Ubuntu but then again I remember when Windows came out and die hard DOS fans said much the same thing. Who's laughing now?

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

I use 11.04, but I set it to classic mode so it is the gnome interface. I can't stand the unity interface.

 

[iisjman07]

I've never been a fan of the unity interface but after forcing myself to use it, it is growing on me. I think my main discrepancy is that something about my laptop isn't too friendly with Ubuntu which means somethings have a slight lag, and unity appears to be one of the affected features.

I have two laptops which I run Ubuntu on (a Compaq C742EM and a 2006 model MacBook), and on both all the hardware either worked out of the box, or the first time I hooked up to the net I got a notification telling my restricted drivers were available. One click, a quick reboot (hey, this is linux), and then perfectly functioning wifi.

 

[thebige]

I think for me the coolest thing is no driver hunting. I remember in the by-gone days of Linux where practically nothing worked and you had to know how to either find and install the driver or write your own. Now, install and plug to the net and boom, you're golden. I have to say, I am really really impressed.

 

[techroc]

I think for me the coolest thing is no driver hunting. I remember in the by-gone days of Linux where practically nothing worked and you had to know how to either find and install the driver or write your own. Now, install and plug to the net and boom, you're golden. I have to say, I am really really impressed.

I totally agree, some of these distributions make it very easy to get the OS installed and running quickly!

But I still prefer to build my own custom kernel utilizing Unix!

 

[gunslinger]

Right now I'm loving Linux Mint and Elementary OS. I think the unity interface sucks balls and I agree, it seems to be change for the sake of change.

 

[thebige]

I agree totally! Unity is kind of neat for small screens like netbooks but for a desktop I hate it. That is why I went with the LTS instead if natty.

 

[parker.casey]

I have to tip my hat to the fine folks at Canonical. I know there are mixed emotions about Ubuntu in the die-hard Linux community but hear me out on this one.

I have an old HP NX6110 Laptop with 256MB of RAM, 40GB HDD and a Celeron M Processor. I had XP Home Edition SP3 loaded on it previously. The battery is original and therefore it didn't keep a charge very long at all. So I would just keep it plugged in all the time.

Now I have installed various flavors of Linux / Ubuntu before with limited success (as I would consider myself a Linux Newbie even though I have played with it for years off and on). Until now I have not been able to "cut the cord" and go all the way Linux.

Here is what happened.....

I downloaded the LTS (Long Term Support) of Ubuntu 10.04. Used UNetBootin to make a Live USB Stick. (Since the DVD Drive on this laptop is hit or miss, most of the time it misses) and did a full install.

Everything worked. It was really refreshing. All of the proper drivers, installed. The internal wireless adapter didn't work so I plugged it into the LAN upstairs and it automatically prompted me to update the software. I instantly had dread go through my mind because it wanted to download and install over 200 items. I thought to myself "Great.....I guess now is a good time to go make a sandwich." I come back 2 minutes later to check on it's progress and it was done! It automatically downloaded and installed the proper driver for the wireless so now that works.

Also, on another plus, I can now get up to 3 hours of battery life. With windows, I could get maybe an hour.

So I am not a fan-boy yet but I am well on my way! Thanks Canonical for making Linux accessible to the "average" user like me.

Ubuntu is very much usable for the average guy... moreso than Windows by a long shot.