Ubuntu 8.04 Installation Walkthrough

[Capper]

Why use Linux when I can use Microsoft's Windows XP? You might ask. There are numerous pros and cons for and against each. Here is a list of a few

Pros for using Ubuntu:
- Ubuntu (as well as all other distributions of Linux) is Open Source, meaning its both FREE and updated frequently by a large numer of "peer reviewers." Ubuntu has near-daily updates that take seconds to download and install (all done via Ubuntu Update Manager)
- Ubuntu has a massive user-based support group (Ubuntu Forums)
- Ubuntu is more secure than Windows, because it is a UNIX based operating system
- Ubuntu is easier to protect from essential file destruction. It is easy to set up an account which cannot touch system-critical files
- Ubuntu is great for a simple/cheap computer setup, where only internet, chat, and email are used
- Applications are easy to manage in Ubuntu, with numerous Application managers available
- Ubuntu has advanced desktop effects, using Compiz or XGL makes much nicer looking graphics than Aero in Windows Vista. (Youtube Link)
- Ubuntu has a wide array of programming applications that are powerful and free
- Ubuntu can raise your geek level by +5, and manliness by +50 (Okay, so that's not true, but still... one can dream...)
- Ubuntu runs great on older machines (minimum RAM required is 256mb)


Cons against using Ubuntu:
- Games do not work well on Ubuntu. You won't be able to play Crysis on Ubuntu anytime soon. Same goes for all other mainstream games
- The Windows applications you know and love do not work as well / at all in Ubuntu. Only through Emulation can you execute Windows-only applications.
- Ubuntu requires a slightly higher learning curve than Windows while troubleshooting
- Ubuntu may not work with all devices (extra functions on keyboards, extra mouse buttons, wireless controllers, etc)
- Ubuntu may have driver issues with your sound card, video card, or other devices, such as a TV tuner or other specialty
- Ubuntu may require you to spend hours trying to solve a tiny problem that bugs you, such as the wrong color in a theme, or a program not working correctly

Ubuntu 8.04 Installation Walkthrough

[theburan]

I thought it was a great walkthrough.

Ubuntu definatly is one of the better distro's out there, although I'd go with openSUSE if it wasn't for the fact that getting the display drivers to work hasn't been as easy as it was with Ubuntu 7.10 or 8.04. But the fact that flash and such work out of the box with openSUSE is a plus (although getting to work in ubuntu wasn't too hard.)

I'm about to give up on Fedora 9 again, still no ati drivers for it (although the base driver can run my native resolution, at least), and flash just won't work right, whether with the adobe flash module, swfdec, or gnash.

[Capper]

Ryan did a pretty good job!!!! Hopefully we'll get some more software/OS articles out of him soon.

[theburan]

Yeah, I'd love to see him take a crack at openSUSE 10.3 or version 11 when it comes out.

If it wasn't for the fact that I've been having a hard time getting desktop effects to work properly, it'd be better than ubuntu, imo. Especially the out of the box flash support and whatnot.

[JazzyJake]

Very nice walk through, although i'd like to see some more KDE lovin..
(kubuntu fanboi )
Although i will comment, if you do choose to use ubuntu/kubuntu/whatever, i reccomend installing ubuntu first and adding the KDE package because installing ubuntu first does some things that just KDE doesn't, not a lot, but it saves you finding firefox, and some suites you'll likely find useful along the way.

Glad to see more linux lovin!

[theburan]

That's why I'm digging ubuntu. I couldn't get openSuse to look that good (compiz just wouldn't work, lol. Fglrx drivers didn't agree with it, for some reason.)

Finally got everything working good on my laptop though. Only thing not going yet is the right click on my stylus. Almost there.

[JazzyJake]

Yeah, 8.04 kinda fragged my compiz
i've also noticed some instabilities here and there without any benefit yet....but i definitely PLAN on the guys coming through

[simple_inhibition]

someone get a camera! theres been a jake sighting!!!!!!! :laugh

awesome how to! cant wait to see more of your work ryan

[JazzyJake]

Originally Posted by simple_inhibition

someone get a camera! theres been a jake sighting!!!!!!! :laugh

you are HALLARIUSSSSSS
i'm here often, just comment when i deem it necessary

[screwballl]

I have Ubuntu 8.04 installed on my laptop (dual boot with XP) without a single problem or driver issue.
It is a HP ze4540us (ze4500 series) with 2.4GHz Mobile Celeron, ATI RS200M video, 768MB RAM, 60GB Seagate 5400.2 HD, DVD player/CD burner drive. It boots up and runs faster than the XP Home that is also installed on it.
I do not have my wireless card yet but that should be coming anyday now and I am also looking for a battery for it. I am hoping the wireless card works without a hitch n Ubuntu but I will report back on that later when I have it.