Ubuntu user review

I got a hold of my Ubuntu CD's today. I ordered 10. Looking at these sexy CD's, I've decided to do a simple install of Ubuntu stable (version 4.10 "warty") onto my desktop and my laptop both. I'll record all the steps I have to take, and where I have to break down and manually interject my own stuff into the configuration files, or open up a terminal emulator and do some terminal "magic" to get things to work. We'll see how easy it is to get Ubuntu into a working desktop state for me, including DVD playback, MP3/MPG, QuickTime, WMA/WMV playback, 3D acceleration, Windows emulation, wireless networking, advanced power management stuff (sleep, suspend, standby)... everything a normal desktop user would need. Of course, I have some obscure requirements that won't count against Ubuntu. I need to tweak stuff this way. Most users should get by just fine though.

• My odd need for X-Chat 2.4. I can't seem to settle for the X-Chat 2.0 that's shipped with Ubuntu.


• I use Grisbi for my financial tracking, and though 0.5.0 is included in Ubuntu universe, I download the latest package from the site, just in case the newer releases get better.


• I use the Firefox package from Mozilla.org rather than the one shipped with Ubuntu. I use the graphical installer and install into ~/.opt/firefox. This way I can use the little Firefox updater and it'll patch without complaining about write access. Its easier for me to muck around with my plugins this way too.


• Similarly, I manually install Java into ~/.opt/java. Since I only use Java for Neuros Database Manager, I can live with it installed locally, rather than for all users (I'm the only user on this machine).

So besides those above exceptions, we'll see how well Ubuntu can perform for the normal user. My review won't be truly accurate, since I can never completely simulate the mind of an actual user (those of you working in support know what I mean). Check back soon for my first of two reviews (one will be on my laptop, the other will be on my desktop).