Ubuntu 6.10 on my E520

Question

I just wanted to let the group know that I was able to install Ubuntu 6.10 (dual boot with XP Pro) on my E520 without any problems at all. I downloaded the OS and burned a CD per Ubuntu's instructions, booted to the CD and it loaded the LiveCD version of the OS.   I clicked on the install icon on the desktop and Ubuntu installed without any drama, detecting all my hardware, video card, onboard sound and ethernet and printer. It seems to work just fine, pretty snappy and not too ugly looking.:smileywink:   Evidence of Linux's viability as an alternative to Windows was the fact that after installing it wanted to download >200Mb of security and other updates...:smileyvery-happy:   All I need to switch over permanently is a Linux version of iTunes!

jz35 · Answer

heh, you remind me of when I was 14.

the closest thing to iTunes will be 'sharpmusique' to purchase the music on iTunes and
'rhythmbox' or 'banshee' for music playing/collecting/etc...

linux (oss software in general) changes very rapidly. a year for linux is like 2 years for windows. just because you got updates doesn't mean it's like windows - the important thing to remember is that linux updates are usually not critical like windows.

Message Edited by jz35 on 02-16-2007 12:20 AM

sultanaofpersia · Answer

I have to admit, I do miss iTunes, which is still why I dual boot, (I really don't buy music, but I like how the program sets up the music) but there are two upcoming alternatives...Amarok 1.4.5 (I think that's the number--it's the newest version just recently released) It's supposed to have an option to download music, but from independent artists only, and something like $5 an album. The other up & coming music program is something called Songbird which is still in beta, but from what I've seen, and played around with, it looks like it will be fantastic...I don't know if it will have an option or not to download music, but I like how it looks, and functions.

With Steve Jobs' recent open letter to music companies about having no more DRM'd music, there's a chance that a Linux version if iTunes may happen at some point. EMI has said recently that they will open up some of their catalog to be DRM-free. I'm sure others will follow soon. :)

As for the updates...yeah, after an upgrade is out, the developers continue to work on it to catch any security problems, or updates, or kernel updates...there are lots of them, but I kind of like to see them there every few days. Makes me feel safer for some reason. The newest version of Ubuntu is coming out in April, called Feisty Fawn, 7.04. But, the older versions will continue to get support for a few years.

justanotherdayi · Answer

sultanaofpersia,

I really don't mind the updates, like you I'm glad to see the developers are finding and fixing any problems,etc. Perhaps because of my unfamiliarity with alternative OS's (and from reading too many Linux fanboi rantings on various forums, no doubt) I was amused to find that Linux behaved much like the maligned Windows products with respect to bug fixes and improvements; install the OS and immediately download 200Mb of patches to a product that's only a few months old.

I'm not complaining, the price was right (free) and it does work pretty darn good. I've even managed to run a few scripts successfully to download and install video drivers and audio codecs. I'll never be a keyboard commando (insufficent skillsets in that arena) but Linux will stay on my pc, probably with a triple-boot arrangement for Vista, XP and Ubuntu.

I'm using Amarok also (that's what needed the codecs, for mp3's). It's a nice player!

Message Edited by justanotherdayinparadise on 02-16-2007 10:35 AM

SteveSchack · Answer

Just curious. Do you have a SATA drive in your E520?

Linux General

Ubuntu 6.10 on my E520

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