Ubuntu 5.10, Is Linux Ready for the Desktop?

Written by: SiliconViper Published by: bb Published on: 2005-10-18 09:44:49 Topic: Linux

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So, I've been running Ubuntu 5.10 since 2005-10-13, and I have a few thoughts on it. Thus far, my conclusion stands. Ubuntu is Debian with a lot of the sharp edges rounded off. And it just gets better with each release, really.

The addition of the "Add Applications" menu is quite enjoyable. While I'm personally a fan of the more traditional "apt-get install ", simply because I can write scripts around it. This new interface is far more convenient than Synaptic is. Now, I love Synaptic. But for new users, it's intimidating. Sure, it's easy once you use it a few times. But nobody wants to be presented with 15,000+ package, many of which do the same thing. New users want to know what to install, and have someone tell them that. This new package management interface does just that. It's so convenient! On top of all this, Ubuntu 5.10 finally comes with something I've been adding to most customer's PCs anyways. A graphical bootsplash. No matter how much you tell someone that Linux doesn't require console work, if they see it boot up, they get scared the first time. If you want to convert them, they have to be comfortable. The system can be as awesome as you want, if they fear it before they use it, you've lost already. A graphical bootsplash really helps. The option to do OEM installations is something I know a lot of us have wanted. Everything gets configured at installation, except things like Usernames and Networking. The first time a user boots it up, it asks them to select a username, and configure their network. No more installing on-site at a client's house! Gnome 2.12 doesn't really feel all that different from 2.10, honestly. Nothing about it really impressed me more than 2.10 already had. Still getting used to the menu repositioning from 2.8... GCC 4.0.1 is a welcome addition, since I keep installing it ANYWAYS. glibc 2.3.5 is also appreciated. Overall, I think this release marks another solid step forward for Ubuntu, and with a bit of luck (and teamwork), for the whole Debian-based community. Conclusion: The bootsplash seals the deal. Ubuntu 5.10 is ready for the desktop. No issues installing it out-of-the-box, and the OEM install option only sweetens the deal. New users, this is a great place to start. Veterans of other distros, give it a spin. Maybe you'll see something you like. Overall, solid release. Rating: 8.5/10 If the additions from the Ubuntu-Hardened project were rolled into this, and Reiser4 support added to the installer... I'd be tempted to give this a perfect 10.

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Comments: santa 2005-10-18 11:40:50 How about some screen shots? cyben 2005-10-18 18:24:55 I've been using it for a while and I love it. Installs straight away on my Sony Vaio laptop without having to configure a thing manually. The only little annoyance is that the sources in /etc/apt/sources.list, when un-commented, produce annoying 404 errors that clog up the screen in an apt-get update/upgrade, install or apt-cache search. I imagine those'll be fixed soon though LZBlackDog 2005-10-19 01:50:37 screenshots santa 2005-10-19 02:10:28 hum... looks nice, maybe i will try the live cd :D telekinetic 2005-10-22 17:44:01 Even Fedora has a bootsplash but its package manager sucks, IMHO. Something like Ubuntu or Gentoo is much better as installing things are not a pain (except in Gentoo it takes a lot of time). I have Gentoo on my box. nemin 2005-10-24 16:17:00 I believe Ubuntu is a good distribution especially for Linux-starters or for general desktop usage. I'd like to mention the very nice community and the great support they give. For example, have a look at www.ubuntuforums.org wich is one of the very best fora I know. aidan 2005-10-25 11:04:22 I use gentoo. If you don't like the time it takes emerge to install things, you could set up distcc to distribute the compilation, or you can set it to use precompiled binaries where available. santa 2005-10-25 20:16:32 I used gentoo on a xbox a long time ago, its a nice looking OS telekinetic 2005-10-27 07:05:51 aidan: I have never tried out distcc. How much time gain do you get by using it? telekinetic 2005-10-27 10:09:11 and ya how can I download precompiled binaries through emerge ? aidan 2005-10-27 17:30:34 Distcc will atleast half the time required, but will depend on how many people you can get compiling your stuff, the speed of your connection with them, etc. I can't remember the switch to use binaries and I'm not in gentoo at the mo, but 'man emerge' will tell you. mellow 2005-12-23 22:06:33 ive been using ubuntu at school, its a really user friendly OS compared to other linux OS, after all the cover of the Ubuntu case does say "linux for human beings" ;) im newer to linux, so im trying to take everything step by step and i guess ubuntu is helping me out with that. adamantium 2006-08-28 04:53:57 im really proud of ubuntu, cos im from south africa! yeah! Domuk 2006-08-28 06:56:11 Wasn't there a XWindow-breaking update for ubuntu recently? anilg 2006-08-28 10:23:09 Was for a few hours. They removed it as soon as the complaints flowing in. My dapper has been running super smooth.. I highly recommend the upgrade from breezy to dapper. typedeaF 2006-09-11 14:51:19 Sorry, but this article was fairly uninformative. The fact that the deciding factor in your analysis is a "bootsplash" really takes away from any credibility. I can install RH with a kickstart file across the network on a NFS share with a bootsplash and fully graphical interface --nearly completely unautomated if I want, yet its hardly anything for me to toot my horn about. Besides, Linux never was intended to contend for the common users desktop environment. It is supposed to be UNIX for geeks who cant sit infront of expensive enterprise hardware all day. In some ways, I think the people that are trying to "convert" everyone to Linux, are the people that really have no idea what the spirit of Linux is about. :( Anonymously add a comment: (or register here) (registration is really fast and we send you no spam) BB Code is enabled. Captcha Number: