Thread: Ubuntu

Originally Posted by xXSomeGuyXx

So i put "sudo apt-get install gparted" in Ubuntu's command prompt? Cool. Alright. That's about all my questions. Oh yeah, is GNOME easy to use?

Code:

apt-get install someProgram

is the terminal way of doing things
it's quick and there's no GUI to fumble around in
which is important if your remote managing the system
but you may be happier using the Synaptic GUI

The GUI way, is using synaptic
System -> Administration -> Synaptic
Then search for someProgram
Mark for installation, and hit apply

Since most people already replied about any questions, i'll just add my two cnts and say. Ubuntu is a great linux os, and not too obscenely difficult to understand with installations, once you get around that, you'll find a massive multitupde of various programs to supplement apple or windows.

definitely has my 4.5 star rating if you have an older pc and wish to give it a crack

Actually, I'd just like to point out it's not only not "obscenely difficult," but it's much EASIER than any windows installation. The installation of the OS itself is incredibly easy, especially relative to that of other OSs. The reason being mainly is that Ubuntu doesn't require extensive amount's of checking to make sure everything is legit (presenting itself in various forms such as serial codes, activation, agreeing to terms, etc.). Ubuntu does all the "next" clicking for you. It's the same way for programs. Because everything's open source, it doesn't have any of those "agreeing to terms and services" things and there is no "wizard" to run to install things and click "next" and choose what and where to install things. You don't even have to open a damn browser to download anything. Just got to applications, Add/Remove Programs, and you can search in the repositories for anything you want (the slightly, but not really, more complicated version of this being the synaptic package manager). Then all you do is double click what you want installed and click "install programs." That's all. When you think of it, Ubuntu really takes the Mac approach. That is, trying to make it as simple as possible. Installing programs (pre-compiled one's, that is) is completely idiot-proof. You can literally install Ubuntu and get all the programs you need in 10 minutes. No wise cracks about there not being any programs for Ubuntu There are not that many, but for pretty much every program I can find just as good if not a better substitute. If you have any reservations about this aspect, or can't find a good substitute, just ask There are some really, really good ones out there.

Yeah the repositories are idiot proof, and the ubuntu forum is a great help, and I never had a problem or ever thought windows installation was difficult, Was just saying the installations might look like a task at first finding a repository getting used to the idea of installing either through synaptic or terminal.

Only trouble I ever had was flash players for youtube and other sites, but was fixed with a quick search of the ubuntu forum lickety split

^^ just a side note

Ubuntu has official support for about 1,300 applications

(these are applications that Canonical takes "under it's wing" and provides extensive support for - including, but not limited to, security updates)
These are in the "main" repository

however, there's more than 20,000 applications available in total
these are in the "universe" & "multiverse" repos
(support, including security updates, are down to the app writers and general community, not Canonical)

I think Debian still has the edge on sheer number of apps available, but Ubuntu isn't far behind

and this isn't even touching 3rd party repositories

I'm loving this. I will have it soon.

Ubuntu makes BBC news
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7358483.stm

The public perception of open source software is changing fast, said Mark Shuttleworth, who leads distribution of the Ubuntu operating system (OS).

A new version of Ubuntu, a version of the Linux OS, is released on Thursday.

Mr Shuttleworth said the success of the Asus EEE PC and the work of the One Laptop Per Child programme had driven awareness of open source.

"There has been a sea change in the way people think of Linux, which is very healthy," he said.

"We have seen a real shift in the last six months from folks seeing open source as either a super-specialist thing for people who run data centres or as an enthusiast thing, to something which is energising a lot of the straight commercial PC industry," said Mr Shuttleworth.

Platform development

He manages Canonical software, which is the primary sponsor of distribution for Ubuntu, and a key element in the platform's development.

He is also well-known for being the second-ever, self-funded space tourist, travelling to the International Space Station aboard the Soyuz spacecraft in 2002.

Mr Shuttleworth said ordinary consumers were beginning to turn to Ubuntu, and to Linux more generally, to improve their daily computing experience.

"If people think of computing as going to a PC, sitting down and starting Word, then the traditional view, of using Windows and Office, will persist.

"But if people think of their daily experience as a sit down on the web, we know that people can have a very compelling experience on Linux.

"In fact, we know it is a better web experience because they can do it without spyware, without viruses."

Mr Shuttleworth said he believed there were about eight to nine million users of Ubuntu worldwide.

"Most of the growth in users is from people buying a device that comes with Ubuntu shipped or wanting something for a second or older computer and are looking to tech-savvy friends for guidance," he said.

'Most significant'

He described the latest version of Ubuntu, dubbed Hardy Heron, as "perhaps our most significant ever".

The version will have three years of "long term support" from Canonical, which Mr Shuttleworth believes will make it more attractive for large-scale roll-outs of machines powered by the operating system.

He said the French police force was currently deploying 50,000 Ubuntu-powered machines, while Spanish education authorities were rolling out 500,000 desktops with the OS.

Hardy Heron also has improved support for multimedia, including photo editing, music sharing and video playback, he said.

The version has also been designed to make installation simpler and give users the chance to try the OS without making radical alterations to their current computer set-up.

"This is the first version that you can install under Windows.
"Instead of re-partitioning your hard drive and taking some fairly risky steps, effectively you can now install under Windows without modifying your system."

Ubuntu can be installed on PC and Mac machines and is one of a number of versions of Linux.

Mr Shuttleworth said: "It's a favourite version of Linux both for specialists and one that specialists would recommend to a cousin, aunt or uncle who want to have a stable desktop internet experience.

"There are other versions of Linux that are better for a particular purpose - but Ubuntu strives to be a general platform that is secure and self-maintained."

3 days to go until 8.04 is released, which I will be downloading since I broke my Beta install .

Originally Posted by Identity X

3 days to go until 8.04 is released, which I will be downloading since I broke my Beta install .

Fedora 9 is coming soon, as well - end of May IIRC

(I'm a Debian junky at heart, but like to keep up to speed with the Redhat side of things)

Originally Posted by Ynot

Mr Shuttleworth said he believed there were about eight to nine million users of Ubuntu worldwide.

Unfortunately, he doesn't go into detail about how this number is calculated
(I'd guess that's hits to the security repos, but I don't know)

but if accurate, it's incredible
8-9 million users
that's World of Warcraft type numbers....

Originally Posted by Ynot

Fedora 9 is coming soon, as well - end of May IIRC

(I'm a Debian junky at heart, but like to keep up to speed with the Redhat side of things)

I thought Fedora was unfashionable now? I was of the impression that for desktops at least Ubuntu is the Linux default.

Originally Posted by Identity X

I thought Fedora was unfashionable now? I was of the impression that for desktops at least Ubuntu is the Linux default.

what do I care about fashion?
leave fashion to Apple

Originally Posted by Ynot

what do I care about fashion?
leave fashion to Apple

Heh silly apple, with their T-1000-like icons that expand when you scroll over them (but also annoyingly slow down your mouse).

Looking forward to my dist-upgrade, once I'm confident everything is stable and ready

Your dock slows down your mouse? What hardware do you have? All is pushed into the graphics card, it shouldn't slow it down.

I think certain Ubuntu themes looks just as nice as OSX (obviously not that orange "Human" theme though ) I really like the blue one, Ice I think it's called.

Using 8.04 right now... sucks having to set it up again though (that's Wubi for you).

Still, YAY!

I may have to pirate windows
just to try out wubi

I feel I'm missing out...

Originally Posted by ninja9578

Your dock slows down your mouse? What hardware do you have? All is pushed into the graphics card, it shouldn't slow it down.

It was an early OSX release, a number of years ago. And I don't mean performance-wise. More like, it was coded to slow down mouse movement, presumably so you can scroll to it quicker from elsewhere without being too careful or something... but it was annoying.

Originally Posted by Identity X

Using 8.04 right now... sucks having to set it up again though (that's Wubi for you).

Still, YAY!

How so, it wasn't just a software update like the 7.10 one?

Oh, it doesn't do that anymore.

Oh wow. I have to install 8.10 now? Whatever, i'll wait for the next one.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

How so, it wasn't just a software update like the 7.10 one?

Oh, it doesn't do that anymore.

I broke my 8.04 beta by mucking around with the network config files (could no longer connect to the internet) so had to reinstall anyway, although Wubi has been known to break installations if you try and update within Ubuntu in the past.

I'm updating Ubuntu now, maybe I'll get lucky and it will connect to my wireless network, I'm tired of having it tied down to that damn ethernet cord

had a small problem with Hardy not responding to the keyboard numpad

this has happened on 2 machines
(both have the same keyboard)

Fixed by
system > preferences > keyboard > mouse keys
uncheck "allow to control mouse using keyboard"

Hmm, hardy heron seems a bit dissapointing I think. Not because it's bad, but I suppose I was expecting more? As in, more stuff I could see. To be honest everything seems exactly the same. I suppose firefox, from what I've tested so far, seems perhaps a bit more stable. I'm not only talking about cosmetic changes but I was expecting some more like, differences in applications, new ones, new features, etc. There doesn't seem much new, am I missing something?

Looked like from what was on their site that this was mainly a back end change. They are using a newer kernel and better process scheduling and such. You got spoiled with Windows where there are no back end changes, but a lot of GUI changes