Vista vs Ubuntu: The Install

Right. Corporate environment boy attempts to rescue himself from void of Vista non performance on outdated hardware (duh). Installs Ubuntu and...

Honestly? I was blown away. The install is so slick, and just so non-windows. Download the ISO here, burn it to CD, reboot and you're on your way.

The major difference with Ubuntu - is that it can boot into the OS from the install CD. So essentially, you get to try before you buy. Don't underestimate the importance of this. It's just so accessible... and transparent.

There's a logo on the desktop which invites you to put the OS onto your hard drive. Click that, and be guided through some extremely friedly options - just setting up time zones etc. Even partitioning your hard drive is easy. Choose from guided or non-guided options - and whether to use the whole hard drive or install alongside windows.

It's. Just. So. Easy.

And quick! The install couldn't have taken longer than 25 minutes (this on a Celeron 1.6 GHZ with 512 MB RAM - the Vista Slug as I'm calling it now). Then it downloads about 100 updates, which took a couple of hours on a 512k ADSL line.

100 updates? Hmmm, jaaa - but when you start to get used to the Linux "package" theory - it seems a little more normal.

So. I get to play now. And OH MY GOD this thing flies. The Vista Slug has become a Stallion. It's smooth, it looks good - and it has everything pre-installed.

That's I suppose the last point for this introduction. The beauty of the latest edition of Ubuntu (and earlier editions I suppose - but this one does feel a lot friendlier) is that everything comes pre-installed. If I had to buy a computer for my mother - and all she would do is connect to the internet, use mail, do basic word processing / spreadsheets - it's perfect.

And it's free. So you don't get Arial or immediate MP3 support (another post, another time). One click install if you choose to "ignore" the licensing issues (yes, MP3 is licensed technology - didn't really know that myself).

It's a mother computer.

And that says a lot!

Comments

  1. Congratulations! You have moved to the level ^next...

    Now try a Mac and see the light.

    ReplyDelete
  2. WHY? Somebody please tell me why!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey Andy,
    I also recently installed Ubuntu on my HP Compaq NX7010 mostly due to the computer not being able to handle its memory very well. It's still early days - I haven't gotten the MP3 player to work and we tried watching a DVD on it the other day and it didn't want to play. But I'm very hopeful for it, all my applications I use are online anyway - which is great!

    Here's hoping that your next post will be on mp3's :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. haven't got a post in mind to concetrate on that, but not a bad idea.. i found it quite easy the second time (i complete bollocksed it up the first time)... To install mP3 on ubuntu... On your fresh install (preferable) download the full set of GSTREAMER plugins. You'll have to click ADD/REMOVE then change the top right software source selection to ALL AVAIABLE APPLICATIONS. then search for GSTREAMER and you'll find it... That gives automatic support for a pile of formats - then get AMAROCK or use RYTHYM MUSIC PLAYER to play... simple ne?

    What I bollocksed up was something to do with dependencies. more on that later...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi,

    I think Ubuntu got a very shiny future. It compete very well with Vista. I can see that of few comparisons I have read on the web. Look at how it compare at http://itcomparison.com/OS/vistavsubuntu/vistavsubuntu.htm
    It seems it beats Vista in many many directions. I hope they keep up the good work and cover gaming in a better manner.

    Enjoy,
    vmguru007

    ReplyDelete

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