Any Linux users?

Post by **Mozgus** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:16 pm

In summary, would you guys simply say, that in general, Ubuntu remains the best distro of Linux? I mean, does it have the best balance of performance, compatibility, visual flair, ease of use, and intuitive design? And I'm talking about it being used on modern hardware.

Post by **lordofduct** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 2:58 am

On modern hardware for those who don't have the time or necessity to learn the ins and outs of Linux... then Ubuntu is definately the way to go.

For tweekers, job specific, phile style jobs there is definately MUCH better. But this thing is as you said a very balanced and most importantly SIMPLE to use distro of Linux on a P4 or better PC.

And the BEST PowerPC support I've seen of ANY distro... and I've tested quite a few. Ubuntu recognized everything right out of install where as almost every other distro I've tried I had to manually (and in some of the most retarded manners) get audio to even think about trying to work in a tinny and awful sound. Ubuntu covered every base for me (though I hear it hates airport cards like all Linux distros... don't have one, so never tested).

I run Ubuntu on a G3 PPC 900mhz iBook with 768MBs of RAM... it runs smooth and flawless.

Post by **rattboi** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:16 am

lordofduct:

You rule. You're a mac guy, a retro guy, and a linux guy. Just like me!

Post by **Mozgus** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:27 am

Just wasted 3 more hours on Ubuntu. I want my time back. The damn thing killed itself and will not boot again. Not the first time this happened. EasyLinux didn't do a single thing but crash. Automatix actually did work, at least in getting codecs and the nvidia drivers.

I had a list of negatives regardless.

Caps lock key has a 1 second delay
Can't get a resolution of 1280x1024. Everything looks like crap on my LCD.
Read how to get a resolution of 1280x1024 by editing xorg.conf. Doesn't work, as expected.
I get asked for my password before messing with every single option in anything. Searched through all related configuration menus to disable this. Seems theres no way to.
Automatix cant get flash or java. Firefox cant get flash either.
No support for my side buttons on my mouse.

But still, I cant be bothered to reinstall an OS everytime I need to use it for a few hours. It's absolutely rediculous that it died so quickly. I don't see how that was my fault, since I wasn't messing around with anything that I didn't understand, like the terminal window. I only used it once for automatix.

And again, it boots and runs way too slow to tolerate.

Post by **rattboi** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 9:40 am

Can you just post the specs on your pc?

Your experience is way different from my experience with Ubuntu. Also, when you say you didn't do anything dangerous, you mention having to type your password all the time. Each of those things you're messing with are dangerous operations. Things like changing your resolution, changing your theme, etc (desktop options) don't ask for a password because they aren't dangerous. Going into the update manager or Synaptic to install applications CAN possibly break things, so you need to type your password.

As far as it not supporting your resolution, I can say that this has happened to me, 2 days ago when I decided to try Kubuntu on my Mac Mini. The max resolution supported was 1024x768, and I wanted 1280x1024. I edited xorg.conf, like you mentioned, and it worked fine. I also installed EasyUbuntu only 3 days ago, without issue.

This is why I want to see the specs of your hardware. If it isn't weird, I can only assume you're not reading carefully enough. I'm not trying to put you down, I just can't understand how your experience could differ so far from mine...

Post by **Mozgus** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 12:55 pm

rattboi wrote:Can you just post the specs on your pc?

They're all on my site, in extreme detail.

Your experience is way different from my experience with Ubuntu. Also, when you say you didn't do anything dangerous, you mention having to type your password all the time. Each of those things you're messing with are dangerous operations. Things like changing your resolution, changing your theme, etc (desktop options) don't ask for a password because they aren't dangerous. Going into the update manager or Synaptic to install applications CAN possibly break things, so you need to type your password.

Funny. Changing my resolution or using the update manager in WinXP isn't risky. This only further proves my point.

This is why I want to see the specs of your hardware. If it isn't weird, I can only assume you're not reading carefully enough.

Stop it. How could I possibly screw up the simple operation of copying and pasting a code into a terminal box, in order to run EasyUbuntu? How could I interpret your statement on that as anything but an insult?

Post by **lordofduct** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:26 pm

Mozgus wrote: Funny. Changing my resolution or using the update manager in WinXP isn't risky. This only further proves my point.

He didn't changing the resolution is risky... but using synaptic is. For installing software, or updates. What is also risky is using update manager in WinXP... they just don't tell you that!

What is automatix? never heard of it. See I find the best way to get every driver on Ubuntu for me is to do this.

[EDIT] DELETED.... ohhhhhhhh I just noticed. You've got AMD64

yeah.. errr, heh. That is probably where your biggest problems are coming in. Which distro of ubuntu are you using? There are 3 types:

x86 - this is the general release. The one you find just about everywhere. It works on Pentium and other i386 based processors like AMD athlons and the sort.

PPC - this is the mac release. It only works on PowerPC processors like found in IBM PPC machines and Mac G3 - G5

64bit - This is your 64bit release used by AMD64 or EM64T Xeon (intel's chips).

Make sure your using that version and when ever you look for any assistance for installing new things make sure that your following the AMD64 guide as well. Some things are different on 64-bit architecture... it is very similar to the same problems people had when XP64 edition came out... a lot of drivers were not compatable in 64bit mode.

If you've made sure you using the correct version of Ubuntu then go here and make sure to follow all directions on this page. Any setting will say "if your using AMD64 then do THIS".

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

Although, I want to say that why use Linux on that computer!? You probably will get a lot more use out of Windows on that computer. Linux is a community maintained project and it has over a decades experience in x86 based processors. PPC is a little older as well allowing for more experience... but AMD64 is very new technology; I will have to say... I'd leave that experience to the corporations for now and allow the community to knock out the kinks in it for a few years before really going the route of Linux on that platform.

Post by **lordofduct** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:53 pm

Mozgus's computer:

Samsung 740B LCD Monitor
Antec Super Lanboy case
Antec TruePower 2.0 550w
Asus A8N5X Socket 939
Athlon 64 3700+
eVGA Geforce 7600GT
Zalman VF700 VGA Cooler
Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 ZS
ATI 550 Theater Pro capture card
1.5GB of Corsair DDR400 running in Dual Channel
Two Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM S-ATA's in RAID-0
One Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM IDE
One Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM IDE External Backup Drive
NEC Black IDE DVD±RW ND-3520AW
NEC Black Floppy Drive FD1231H-302
Logitech MX510 Red Optical Mouse
Vintage Marantz Stereo Reciever
Two Optimus 200watt Tower Speakers

Post by **Mozgus** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:31 pm

lordofduct wrote:He didn't changing the resolution is risky... but using synaptic is. For installing software, or updates. What is also risky is using update manager in WinXP... they just don't tell you that!

Funny how Windows Update has never harmed my system in any way, ever. I don't think it's risky.

What is automatix? never heard of it. See I find the best way to get every driver on Ubuntu for me is to do this.

The other guy on here said to use it, and so I did. It actually worked, except for the few things I mentioned. So I do appreciate that tool. It was neat to actually see xvid and mp3s playing in Ubuntu, which up til now I assumed was impossible.

If you've made sure you using the correct version of Ubuntu then go here and make sure to follow all directions on this page. Any setting will say "if your using AMD64 then do THIS".

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

Dude, listen. I checked out those forums. I saw countless threads saying to AVOID the 64-bit Ubuntu, even when you have a 64-bit CPU like I do. They said you gain NO performance increase in any casual activities, like browsing the net and playing music. The only thing you gain is is up to 30% speed in heavy things like games and video editing, and I won't be doing that stuff in linux because it's probably impossible to install it all. They said if you use the 64-bit Ubuntu, you'll have even more stability issues and you'll have even fewer options for all tasks. They said to just stick with the regular version.

Although, I want to say that why use Linux on that computer!? You probably will get a lot more use out of Windows on that computer.

Haven't I been saying that all this time?

The only reason I continue to give Ubuntu these chances is because I like to try new things. I set aside a clean 9GB partition and 1GB swap partition, both on my third hard drive, and used them in Ubuntu. My Windows install remains fine.

Oh and guys, I do wanna say one thing amazed me. Ubuntu read my hard drives from WinXP this time. I was able to access my music so easily. Why didn't this work all the other times? Because this was the first time that I did a custom hard drive install, rather then let Ubuntu pick the drive for me? Was it because it asked for a filesystem and I chose "ext3" or whatever? I don't know what Ubuntu's default filesystem is, so I picked the one that was already highlighted. It really needs to explain these things during the install process.

So really, if they fix the resolution issue, get better video card detection, make it easy to install flash and java, make terminal usage a totally OPTIONAL method, and clean up the remaining suicidal quirks, then Ubuntu might become a solid OS for me to hand to a computer newbie who only wants to do casual things. I trash Ubuntu in the areas that it deserves it, but I really want it to come together by the next version in a few months.

Post by **lordofduct** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 5:21 am

It is up to Macromedia, Nvidia, ATI, SUN, Apple and Microsoft to release drivers for their stuff as any other drivers created were made illegally... hence the difficulty in procuring them.

Nvidia was the only company to do it. They aren't the best... no GUI for it at all. But aside from that it's better then nothing.

Now get off of Linux as it doesn't seem you want to use it for general use purposes. If your spending so much time in terminal you must be trying to install everything under the sun because aside of W32codecs everything else is quickly installed with the gstreamer plugin and you're ready to go.

**W32codecs - windows media, flash, real player, that sort...