Ubuntu (Linux) website revamped. (VANITY)

self ^ | 8/19/2007 | papasmurf

[papasmurf]

I was looking for the latest releases for Ubuntu, and I found they have re-done their website, forums, and available software pages, too.

As well, the available software page now boasts no less than 13 application software providers...from Alacos and IBM, to ruffdogs and Real...all guaranteed to "just work".

BTW, Opera for Linux is now part of the standard Ubuntu distro package, and available for download.

[papasmurf]

Some helpful links...

Main page

Download distros

Available software

[PajamaTruthMafia]

What hardware configuration would you recommend for a good box to play around with and experiment?

[papasmurf]

If you're looking at buying, not building, one...might as well buy a Dell that comes with Ubuntu pre-installed.

Dell & Ubuntu Website

They're cheap and have a decent warranty. Once you've played enough and figure out what your needs are, then you can build it, and give the Dell to your wife/kid/Mother, or ?

Personally, I'd opt for the laptop with the 2.2 ghz processor in it. :)

Have fun!

[PajamaTruthMafia]

Have you tried dual booting with XP or Vista? Any tips?

[papasmurf]

Yes, I dual boot my Toshiba Tablet PC with WinXP and Ubuntu.

Install XP first, apply all service packs and updates. Install all needed software. Insert Ubuntu cd/dvd. Grab a cup o’ Joe and press Enter about 10 times. Have fun.

Ubuntu shares a similarity with Windows in that it offers automatic updates. That’s prolly the first thing I’d do, as it includes security patches.

Then just cruise around it and play, go to the software repository, look at and download some software. Have fun.

There’s a gang of tutorials on the Ubuntu website, and most are pretty good and well documented.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

Did you have to partition the XP drive beforehand or will the Ubuntu install do that as part of the install?

[papasmurf]

Ubuntu will, politely, ask you if you want it done for you. If you use the wizard, it will make the partitions without any further dialog, if not, it will allow you to size and name them. You can change everything before it finalizes the settings and begins formatting and applying them.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

How cool is that?!

Thanks for all the tips. I’ll try it this week.

[bigdcaldavis]

Well you need at least 256 MB to run the live CD. My girlfriend’s laptop has a Pentium III 600 MHz CPU and 360 MB RAM and runs Kubuntu real well. My laptop has a 1.4 GHz Celeron M CPU and 512 MB RAM and runs Ubuntu real well.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

Nice to have an OS with such modest requirements!