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Seven Essential Tips For Using Ubuntu Feisty Fawn
Ed Albro writes "Matthew Newton, a columnist at PC World, has a great article up on seven things you'll want to change as soon as you start using Feisty Fawn. Some are as simple as making sure the Alt key works right, another gives you step-by-step instructions for turning on the impressive Beryl interface. 'I could spend a whole 'nother column telling you about all the great packages that are not installed by default, but for now I'll just leave you with this bonus tip: If you're running Ubuntu on a laptop and your Wi-Fi card is not detected or supported, try installing the Ndisgtk package (listed as such in Synaptic, but as 'Wireless Windows Drivers' in Add/Remove Applications). Then select the new System, Administration, Windows Wireless Drivers entry in Ubuntu's menu bar.'"
Don't get me wrong: I'm glad Ubuntu is getting the publicity. What bothers me the most about this article, though, is that he suggests that one of the first things you should do is install Automatix
Automatix is simple, and easy to use. It'll automatically install a lot of important stuff -- but it does so in a bad way. Overwriting files, removing dependencies, messing up the ubuntu-desktop metapackage -- name a brute-force method to deal a low blow to your package management system, and Automatix does it in ways that make developers cringe.
This is not usually a problem initially, but eventually you end up paying the piper; when it's time to update to the next version, things break, and it's Automatix's fault. A large portion of problems people experienced moving from Dapper to Edgy were caused by Automatix; Automatix refused to support those problems, and claimed it was our fault. I don't have a problem with Automatix existing, but until they take responsibility for the problems they cause, I'm not going to go recommending it to users. It does more harm than good.
there is a show stopper bug in either the kernel or driver for the ata2 interface.
o urce-2.6.20/+bug/107271
it's confirmed now that on many laptops the kernel has to restart the ata2 interface intermittently and thereby lock up your system for up to 30 seconds at a time essentially rendering your laptop useless.
stay on lts or edgy for the time being until this bug is fixed:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-s
Linux needs to mature faster than the jerks coming up with the names
Why? It's grown up nicely with me since 1995. Your whole post is predicated on the idea that the original developers of FOSS just want to make money off it. Usually they don't; they do it for fun, because they love computers, to help out their fellow man, the list goes on and in some cases probably includes making money. But not usually in my experience.
Companies that repackage it all and want to make money may want to spend some time studying branding and marketing but the GNU people aren't trying to sell you anything. They give it to you, no charge, including the blessing to make your own money off it if you choose/can succeed. If you think you can sell GNU software under some fancy name then I will be happy to give your distro a try when it's released. I like to try them all! But you can also be sure I will go back to using my Sarges and Etches and my Drakes and Fawns if your distro ends up sucking, even if you do come up with a clever name.
Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
So the article is basically "How to install a bunch of shit that wasn't installed by default for good reasons". Not a good idea.
Binary drivers that are completely unsupportable.
A package manager that conflict with the default one.
3D whiz-bang eye candy that's unstable, and requires yet more binary drivers to get 3D.
Magic.
How long is your list for vista/xp?
Xp:
Step 1: Pray you have SP2 to enable firewall.
Step 2: Install 80+ updates. Reboot at least 4 times, probably one crash at least.
Step 3: Install all drivers for all hardware.
Step 4: Download and install A/V software. Suffer 10% performance penalty until the end of time.
Step 5: Download and install browser.
Step 6: Download and install decent text editor.
Step 7: Download and install cd burning software.
Step 8: Download and install dvd playing software.
Step 9: Download and install video software.
Step 10: Download and install music playing software.
Step 11: Disable tons of services in mmc services panel.
Jesus, we're not even close to done. All of these take quite a bit more time than the 7 steps outlined above, and nowhere near as stable...
And gluing a penny to the top of your PC lets you use imported software.
It's true! Try it!
Here is the official guide from ubuntu.com: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/upgrading
First make sure your computer is fully up to date (with Edgy). Then follow these instructions:
1. Open System -> Administration -> Update Manager
2. A button on the top of the window will appear, informing you of the availability of the new release
3. Click Upgrade
4. Follow the on-screen instructions
That page also has a link on how to upgrade manually from a command-line, but it's not recommended.