Windows Vista, Mac OS X Leopard, & Ubuntu "Edgy Eft"

Which release are you looking forward to the most?

  • Windows Vista

    Votes: 38 42.7%
  • Mac OS X Leopard (10.5)

    Votes: 23 25.8%
  • Ubuntu 6.10 "Edgy Eft"

    Votes: 9 10.1%
  • None! I'm content with my current OS.

    Votes: 17 19.1%
  • Other (Fedora Core 6, SuSE 10.2, etc.)

    Votes: 2 2.2%

  • Total voters
    89
ok, cool....I ws just wondering what it would do....

appreciate the help....now to figure out how to uninstall fedora core 4.....
 
dougiemeats,

Thanks for the info on Ubuntu! If anything, I have OpenOffice installed and will tell EVERYONE I know about it. What a great alternative to M$ Office. Still not sure if I can totally make the switch to Linux just yet as I need programs like my web development software for the business unless there are Linux alternatives that I don't know about. PC games on Linux will never happen correct? So a dual boot system is still required if you do any PC gaming?
 
jimihemmy

If Fedora Core 4 is the only operating system on your computer and you don't have any important files(or you've already backed them up), then the installer should give you the option of erasing everything on your hard drive before installing Ubuntu.

Edit: I just tried out Easy Ubuntu on Xubuntu, and everything worked except for Java. I had to manually install it. I'll check on how it works with regular Ubuntu and see if I can get everything to work right.

Pako

No problem:tup: And I agree about OpenOffice. I probably wouldn't need half the features of M$ Office anyways.

For Windows apps, there's always Wine. I've never tried it so I don't know how complex the process is or how well it performs with games and apps :confused:

I will now continue my updates of Vista, Leopard and "Edgy Eft"

Dapper Drake Released

Ubuntu 6.06 LTS "Dapper Drake" was released today. This includes Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu. This is of course free of charge, and the CD images can be downloaded from the Ubuntu website. This is a major release and will receive 3 years of support for the desktop version and 5 years of support for the server version.

This means that the road to "Edgy Eft" begins today. The release of Ubuntu 6.10 "Edgy Eft" is scheduled for October this year. With Vista in January and Leopard sometime early next year, "Edgy Eft" will be the first of the three releases I am showcasing to be available. As the codename indicates, the goal of this release is to implement cutting edge technology. Mark Shuttleworth quotes:
So dream a little about Xen for virtualisation, Xgl/AIGLX and other wonderful wobbly window bits, the goodness of Network Manager, a first flirt with multiarch support for true mixed 32-bit and 64-bit computing on AMD64, the interesting possibilities of the SMART package manager... and other pieces of infrastructure which have appeared tantalisingly on the horizon.

With Vista's 3-D & glass, Ubuntu's(w/ Xgl) cube effects & wobbly windows, and Mac's ripple effects & genie effects, let the battle of the eye candy begin!

I will post a more in-depth review of the three operating systems' visual offerings later.
 
Hey Dougiemeats....

I have XP Pro and Fedora on a dual boot....although I think I have Fedora on its own partition on its own drive.

I think my problem will be with Grub or Lilo that is currenty installed (I don't remember exactly which, which shows how long its been since I looked at it)
 
Hmm, when I re-install on a dual boot computer, I re-install both OS... so I don't know really know what to do in your case.:confused: You might be right though, I don't know much about GRUB, so I don't know what problems you may run into. Sorry I couldn't help you out.
 
emad
and quite good, absurdly easy to use, and easy enough to install that I was wondering if I missed something.

Simply put, it just works :)

It just works IF you have supported hardware. It ran just fine on my Acer laptop, but it doesn't work on my AMD x2 4800+ with ATI graphics and a crossfire RD580 Chipset Mobo.

Will have to wait for a new release to see if these issues are addressed.
 
My laptop has an ATI video card as well. Are you sure you grabbed the right version? The 64 bit processors have a separate release since the x86 one won't run on 'em.

You may also have to run the livecd in graphics safemode and install the ATI video drivers separately. They tend to not be included in any distro since the company refuses to open up the source code.
 
I'm actually trying Ubuntu out right now on a live CD. It looks like a slick package. My only problem is the speed, it takes ages to do anything. I assume this is because it has to do everything off the cd? Or is it because my computer is a piece of ****?
 
How much RAM do you have? If it gives you any reassurance, I tried the Live CD on a computer with 256 MB of RAM and it was almost unusable (even though I met the suggest minimum of 192 MB) but I installed it with the Alternate CD (text-mode installer) and it runs just fine and quite fast for me.

For a continuation of my Vista information guide, I have gathered some helpful links for Vista-compatible graphics:

ATI Website
NVIDIA Website
Intel Website

I hope these sites can help you out. Even those with Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and Intel 945G Express Chipset should be able to run Windows Vista. Keep in mind that you may have to download drivers to be functional within the operating system.
 
dougiemeats
How much RAM do you have? If it gives you any reassurance, I tried the Live CD on a computer with 256 MB of RAM and it was almost unusable (even though I met the suggest minimum of 192 MB) but I installed it with the Alternate CD (text-mode installer) and it runs just fine and quite fast for me.

I've got 224MB of ram. So that must be the problem. Thanks for the help 👍
 
No prob, Casio 👍

I've noticed a lot of interest for Ubuntu in this thread, so before I start with my information guide for Ubuntu 6.10 Edgy Eft, I thought I should begin with information on Ubuntu itself. Let's answer some common questions.

What the heck is up with the weird naming scheme?

Basically, it takes the form of "Adjective Animal." The current stable release is 6.06 Dapper Drake. Past releases have been: 4.10 Warty Warthog, 5.04 Hoary Hedgehog, and 5.10 Breezy Badger. Can anyone think of any funny/interesting names for future releases? (oh and let's keep it appropriate :lol:)

How about the version numbers?

The current release is 6.06. The "6" indicates that the build was officially released in 2006, while the ".06" indicates which month it was released. This means that the first release of Ubuntu (4.10) was in October 2004 and the next release (6.10) will be October 2006.

How often do they release a new version?

Ubuntu is on a 6-month release cycle. Dapper Drake was postponed so there is only a 4 month wait until Edgy Eft.

What is Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Edubuntu?

Kubuntu uses KDE (a desktop environment), Xubuntu uses XFCE (a lightweight desktop environment; better for older hardware), and Edubuntu includes many educational applications perfect for schools/learning environments. You can also download other desktop environments if you don't mind using the terminal.

I am about to download Ubuntu; What's the difference between the Desktop CD and Alternate CD?

The Desktop CD is a Live CD with an installer included. If you don't plan on installing Ubuntu on your hard drive, check it out anyways(make sure you have sufficient RAM, or it may be too slow). You can surf the internet and use the applications with the LiveCD, without installing anything on your hard drive. The Alternate CD is a text-only installer. Use this to install on computers with 192 MB of RAM or less. (Actually, I suggest using this if you have 256 MB of RAM or less, based on my experience)

I like Vista and OS X's "eye candy." Is there anything like these for Linux?

Yes. It's does not come with Dapper Drake, but you can download and install it. Want to see it in action? Check out http://osvids.com. Click on "Dapper XGL" to see the video. The hardware requirements for these effects is not as strict as Vista's, but you must install some drivers for it to work properly.

How many CDs do I need to burn to install Ubuntu?

Just ONE. Unlike many popular distros such as Fedora Core 5 and SuSE 10.1 which require 4-5 CDs or a DVD, Ubuntu uses just one blank CD (700 MB capacity).

So what advantage does Ubuntu (or Linux in general) have over my current OS?

This is hard to answer, without becoming too opinionated or bias. If you're using XP and it does everything you want it to do, then you may not find many advantages of switching. But it never hurts to learn something new. Let's list some of the main advantages:

-Ubuntu is free. Many applications are also free. No hassle with product activation, no fear of losing your Restore CD, or anything like that.
-Spyware/Viruses are less likely. While no operating system is safe, I have not found the need to download a anti-spyware or anti-virus.
-Stability. This is debatable however, since I have never had stability issues with XP.
-"Fun factor." It's always fun learning something new and different.
-Help & Support. I'll take the Ubuntu Forums over the Microsoft Knowledge Base any day.
-If you're like me and have been using Firefox, The GIMP, Gaim and/or OpenOffice on Windows, then you'll feel right at home with Ubuntu.

Again, if you're a gamer or you're just simply content with XP or OS X, then maybe switching will serve little advantage. Also, Ubuntu is obviously not the only good distribution out there. Many prefer Fedora, SuSE, Mandriva, Symphony OS, or hundreds of other distros. I only chose Ubuntu because I feel its the most convenient/friendly for a beginning user. If you have any questions you'd like me to add to this post, just ask, and I'll try to answer it.

So that was my introduction to Ubuntu. There's not much on Edgy Eft yet, mostly speculation, but expect more "eye candy" type of things. They say that with Dapper Drake being a success, they are willing to be more cutting edge with this version.
 
I've been playing around with the latest build of the Vista Beta (Beta 2 5384 or something), and I've got to say, I'm impressed with it's speed.

The computer I've been using it on the most is a P4 2.8Ghz @ 3.5Ghz, 1GB Dual-Channel, and an ATi 9600XT - Nothing special, but the OS runs without a hitch on it.

I will also say that my laptop, with is a 1.73Ghz P-M, 512MB RAM, and integrated GMA900 doesn't run it quite as well. However, in it's defense, I'm fairly confidant that the only thing holding it back is the amount of RAM, forcing the OS to use quite a bit of pagefile, which on a 4200RPM HD is not exactly fast. Albiet, Vista isn't running Aero on my laptop, it's okay, because the OS itself still runs fairly quickly.

I've also run it on an Athlon 3200+ / 1GB RAM / FX 5200. It ran fairly quickly there as well, Aero was scaled somewhat as there wasn't any translucent glass, but other than that it was running full force and rather snappy.

Suffice to say, I believe the biggest issue is how much RAM you have - 1GB is the minimum if you plan on doing anything other than browsing the internet, and even then 512MB is pushing it. On the side of the Video card issue, if you have a crappy video card, the OS will disable effects. Suckstobeyou. On the other hand, if you have a faster video card, the OS will use it (rather significant note here - You see, XP didn't really 'use' your video card, but rather emulated the few effects it had with your CPU. Vista on the other hand does not bog down the CPU with effects as it's actually using the video card, improving overall system performance while keeping effects - Mac has been doing this for years). I think it works out pretty well.
 
Thanks for giving us your take on Vista Burnout. It's good to hear that they've fixed a lot of the speed issues in the earlier builds. Since it's still in beta, I'm sure we can expect at least a slight speed increase by the time the product is ready.

I have a question: What did you think about the User Account Protection? I've been hearing that it's very annoying, but hopefully they'll be fixing it soon.
 
dougiemeats
Thanks for giving us your take on Vista Burnout. It's good to hear that they've fixed a lot of the speed issues in the earlier builds. Since it's still in beta, I'm sure we can expect at least a slight speed increase by the time the product is ready.

I have a question: What did you think about the User Account Protection? I've been hearing that it's very annoying, but hopefully they'll be fixing it soon.
Well, I completely disabled it.

Maybe it's just me, but being asked fourteen times if I want to put something into the recycle bin is a little bit more than annoying. Every time you click on anything, it asks you if you're sure at least once, if not twice or more depending on the item.

I suppose it's a good thing for some people, and since you can customize it quite a bit, and if all else fails completely disable it, it's not that big of a deal. My take on it, however, is that I don't like it.
 
ill prolly try out vista beta, but i knew it was going to be a resource hog cause of the early alpha release i have, looks like things havent changed. to have 1MB or ram to do simple stuff, and 2GB for games turns me off, that and the probability of a 400 dollar price tag on the software.
 
German Muscle
ill prolly try out vista beta, but i knew it was going to be a resource hog cause of the early alpha release i have, looks like things havent changed. to have 1MB or ram to do simple stuff, and 2GB for games turns me off, that and the probability of a 400 dollar price tag on the software.
Well don't take what I said wrong - Upon booting into Vista, it uses roughly the same amount of RAM that XP does. The biggest difference is the amount of paging file it uses, which is roughly double the size of paging file in XP upon bootup. In it's defense, however, it does a lot of prefetching to boost initial application load times, which I believe is the main cause for the increase in PF size.
 
German Muscle, remember that this is only a beta. Also, as soon as I find out about pricing, I will post them on here. There will be many editions so I'm sure Vista can be acquired at a competitive price. (minus all of the fancy and probably useless stuff)

Update

Here are dates in which Microsoft will be ending support including security updates:

July 11, 2006 - Windows 98 & Windows Me

October 10, 2006 - Windows XP Service Pack 1 & Service Pack 1a

If you are running Windows XP SP1 or SP1a, then it is suggested that you upgrade to SP2 as soon as possible.

The next Service Pack for XP is scheduled for the second half of next year, after the launch of Vista.
 
I'm posting right now from Ubuntu - Didn't really care for how Vista was running on my laptop (rightly so, given the specifications), but since I already had this lovely partition ready to go...

First impressions: This is the first time I've used Linux and have actually enjoyed it. I've used Linux on several occasions in the past, but this is different - This is enjoyable. I could see myself using this every day.

It runs pretty quickly, the only gripe I have is the lack of proper video drivers. I guess I can't really complain though, considering I'm using intergrated Intel. Other than that, though, I'm certainly impressed.
 
Glad it's working out great on your laptop. I'm using it full time now on one of my desktops. I've been reading that the battery life while running Ubuntu is not as good compared with XP though. Have you experienced this?

Windows Vista Update: Download and Preview Vista

The pre-release of Vista is now available to the public through Microsoft's Windows Vista Customer Preview Program. You can download the 3.1GB ISO (free) or order the DVD (cost depends on location).

You will need a blank DVD and proper burning software if you download the ISO. This should only be for testing/preview purposes and should not be installed to replace your current operating system. This is not the final product, so expect to run into problems. Also, make sure your PC is Vista-capable.

This is the Ultimate Edition, so you will be testing out the best version. Again, don't expect everything to go smoothly. Go ahead, check it out, it's free.

Get it here

Edit: Just thought I should add this so that everyone is clear on the subject. I wouldn't want anyone losing any important files.

Make sure you have backed up your important data before performing partitions and setting up dual-boot systems. If possible, only try this beta out on a spare machine.

Everything may go smoothly during installation, but after using it for awhile, you never know what could go wrong. If you are willing to wait, the Release Candidate will also be available through the Customer Preview Program, and it will be far more stable than this build.
 
I actually have Windows XP Pro on my HDD's. I own a Mandrake Move (LiveCD) and a Knoppix (LiveCD and can be installed on HDD). Yesterday I ordered Linux Ubuntu and Kubuntu (both are LiveCD but can be installed on HDD). Ubuntu and Kubuntu are the same, but Ubuntu runs Gnome and Kubuntu runs KDE. I will see which one I love the most, and will format one of my HDD to install it. So one HDD will be Linux and the other Windows. I don't think I'll go Windows Vista for the moment because Windows cost a ****load of money.

But as for the poll, I'll say Ubuntu 6.10 :)
 
So you're going full time with Ubuntu(or Kubuntu)? I lived with a dual-boot for awhile but I was never a fan of it. I decided to go full time with Ubuntu as well. So at the moment, I have no computers with Windows. (iMac, Ubuntu Dell, and Xubuntu Compaq)

To be honest, I'm not too excited about Edgy Eft. I'm really liking Dapper Drake, and I don't know if I will even upgrade to 6.10 this October. They're going to take more risks with this version, so I don't know how stable it will be. Dapper, on the other hand, is quite stable.

BTW, has anyone successfully downloaded the Public Preview if Vista yet? I tried downloading it but it never finishes. I have a product key, but I have a feeling I won't get my hands on the ISO for a while.
 
dougiemeats
So you're going full time with Ubuntu(or Kubuntu)? I lived with a dual-boot for awhile but I was never a fan of it. I decided to go full time with Ubuntu as well. So at the moment, I have no computers with Windows. (iMac, Ubuntu Dell, and Xubuntu Compaq)

To be honest, I'm not too excited about Edgy Eft. I'm really liking Dapper Drake, and I don't know if I will even upgrade to 6.10 this October. They're going to take more risks with this version, so I don't know how stable it will be. Dapper, on the other hand, is quite stable.

BTW, has anyone successfully downloaded the Public Preview if Vista yet? I tried downloading it but it never finishes. I have a product key, but I have a feeling I won't get my hands on the ISO for a while.

I think you misunderstood me. As I own 2 HDD's, one will be Linux and the other Windows XP. So I will not be full time Linux, but I will surely use it more than Windows. :)
 
dougiemeats
BTW, has anyone successfully downloaded the Public Preview if Vista yet? I tried downloading it but it never finishes. I have a product key, but I have a feeling I won't get my hands on the ISO for a while.

I haven't been able to either though MS. I found a torrent site with it and am in the process of downloading it. I got the product key from MS as well so I'm hoping it will work.
 
A guy I work with downloaded it and work, burned it to DVD and started to install it on a PC at work. We work for a PC company so we put together a reasonably good PC for experimenting with, gaming on, etc.

He started installing it and about an hour later it was 32% through the process of copying it from disc and uncompressing it or whatever. So it takes about 3 hours just to get it from DVD onto your hard drive? And there was still a list of things to do after that.

Compare that with my experience with Ubuntu 6.06 It took about 20 minutes for the entire installation procedure and it asked me about 3 questions. Linux in my experience is still a bit intimidating for newbies because you can't avoid the command line, but they really did a heck of a job on making an idiot-proof and quick installation procedure with the latest Ubuntu.

The one thing that's really turning me off Vista is the ridicilous system requirements. A minimum of 512Mb, 2Ghz CPU and 64Mb VRAM? Why on earth does an O/S need at least 64Mb of graphics RAM? You can run Half-Life 2 on a system with 64Mb of graphics RAM! I'll get it when it becomes a necessary evil and new games are no longer supported with Windows XP.


KM.
 
Thanks for sharing your experience KieranMurphy. Right now, I've pretty much given up on trying to acquire the ISO file. I think I'm going to wait for more people to share their thoughts on the process until I decide whether it is worth the trouble. Maybe I will wait until the Release Candidate. It will probably be more stable and usable by then.
 
Right now I think I have given up on getting Ubuntu to work on my machine. I got it so successfully work on my wife's computer, but she surely doesn't need to learn another OS. I was really hoping to get it working on this PC but the support is non responsive on their forums board and it looks like a lot of AMD Dual Core X2 guys are having the same issue. Perhaps I have to wait until 6.10 comes out.
 
That's unfortunate Pako. Have you tried installing the 32-bit version instead? Performance-wise it may not be ideal, but it might work.

Oh and I hope you're not planning on getting rid of Windows soon... from looking at your thread, I can only imagine the gaming experience on that thing:crazy:
 
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