[tigerfan88]

I have a Compaq v6000 series laptop, one of the hardest to get Ubuntu to work properly on, or so I've been told. I was able to set up the Graphics card and Wireless internet within an hour or two. It's really not that hard, provided you ask questions at the Ubuntu forums. They're very helpful.

To bash Linux as a whole because it may be a little tough, at first, to set up properly is not really right. It's not like Windows is perfect or easy to set up all the time.

What is great about Linux is that it's made by the people, for the people. It's free. It's constantly updated, constantly improved. Meanwhile, Microsoft continues to release OS that are full of bugs and cost hundreds of dollars.

I'm not saying that everyone needs to switch to Linux, nor that Linux is perfect. Rather, what I am saying is that Linux is a great OS for those who aren't reliant on Windows for one reason or another and want more out of their OS. In my case, I still need Windows for emulation, programming and gaming, but otherwise, Ubuntu does it for me.

[tht00]

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

I have a Compaq v6000 series laptop, one of the hardest to get Ubuntu to work properly on, or so I've been told. I was able to set up the Graphics card and Wireless internet within an hour or two. It's really not that hard, provided you ask questions at the Ubuntu forums. They're very helpful.

This isn't always the case. I originally had trouble switching because of graphic driver issues (Nvidia). Installing the drivers would essentially break X (the display), and when you're a new user... you aren't sure where to start on issues like that... especially when no-one else seems to be having the exact problem you are.

Now, hardware detection is getting better all the time, and Ubuntu is doing a decent job at automating some of the difficult stuff... but things will break. That's kinda the nature of a constantly-changing OS like Ubuntu and many other distros. What you gain in having cutting-edge packages, you lose in stability (in that things may break on updates).

[tigerfan88]

Yes, but if nothing else, you can revert to VESA, startx and then boot up, install the drivers, reboot, change the xconfig and then it should work, or at least that's what I had to do.

I agree that Ubuntu isn't quite perfect in regards to hardware. I had to do a bit extra work both for my laptop and my desktop (with ATI video card), but even for me (a complete newb to Ubuntu), it wasn't that bad. I think, before installing Ubuntu, you should try to check and make sure your hardware is fully compatible, and if it requires extra work, check and see if there are help guides or perhaps ask. Obviously, if you have a brand new computer with the latest hardware, it's probably not going to work with Ubuntu right away, but it should in time.

The only thing I dislike about Ubuntu is installing packages and stuff. It can be very confusing, but the help guides do help. I haven't experienced any severe problems with breakage, but I know they do exist. However, as long as you have the basics of Ubuntu down, it's not going to be that difficult to fix anything that may come up.

[tht00]

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

Yes, but if nothing else, you can revert to VESA, startx and then boot up, install the drivers, reboot, change the xconfig and then it should work, or at least that's what I had to do.

Again, not the most intuitive for a beginner to do. Fine if you already know the system... (or have one of those handy walk-throughs )

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

I agree that Ubuntu isn't quite perfect in regards to hardware. I had to do a bit extra work both for my laptop and my desktop (with ATI video card), but even for me (a complete newb to Ubuntu), it wasn't that bad. I think, before installing Ubuntu, you should try to check and make sure your hardware is fully compatible, and if it requires extra work, check and see if there are help guides or perhaps ask.

Umm... for one, most hardware support falls on the Linux kernel, not Ubuntu. I get tired of seeing articles on Digg like 'OMGSH AMAZING TEXT EDITOR FOR UBUNTU!!!" when it has nothing to do with Ubuntu, but rather, Linux as a whole.

I do agree with checking on hardware. It's usually easy enough to check with a liveCD to see if it will function on current hardware... something to definitely check before you purchase new hardware though.

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

Obviously, if you have a brand new computer with the latest hardware, it's probably not going to work with Ubuntu right away, but it should in time.

This really varies with what it is. Some brands of printers, like Lexmark (as far as I know), still aren't supported. Many times this has little to do with how new the hardware is, but rather, the support of the manufacturer (and the nature of the device). With help from the manufacturer, good drivers tend to come about really quickly.

Originally Posted by tigerfan88

The only thing I dislike about Ubuntu is installing packages and stuff. It can be very confusing, but the help guides do help. I haven't experienced any severe problems with breakage, but I know they do exist. However, as long as you have the basics of Ubuntu down, it's not going to be that difficult to fix anything that may come up.

This is actually one of the things that sets Debian/Ubuntu apart from other distros. Apt is an excellent packaging system. You'll learn to love it.

And I think you do underestimate the type of problems that can come up. It isn't an invincible system, though, if you're careful, it can be pretty darn close.

I'm reminded of an update that happened about a year ago. I updated the system, as usual, shutdown the laptop, and took it out for a day on campus. Well, I got a nice little surprise the next time I booted up... blue screen telling me something was wrong with X. Turned out that there was a bad package... however, if you're not familiar with the system, being dumped to the terminal isn't very fun. Especially when you're wondering what just happened...

I'm not knocking Ubuntu or Linux. I use Gentoo right now... which can be about as bleeding-edge as you can want (and things breaking while tweaking the system isn't out of the ordinary) -- and I love it!

It's just good to be aware of potential problems that exist... as well as knowing that especially with Linux, YMMV (Your mileage may vary). No two users will have the same experience.

[tigerfan88]

Yeah, I remember the BSOD. That's actually the first thing I got when booting after installing Ubuntu on both my laptop and desktop. As a beginner, I was like "what the heck does it mean?" I soon learned when I read the forums and was able to fix it. I still am admittedly not very familiar with Ubuntu and often revert back to Vista. I'd recommend, for those who are new to Ubuntu, to dual-boot Vista/XP and Ubuntu at first to ease the transition. There are still things I have no clue how to do in Ubuntu, but it's OK because I still have Vista here to work with.

Admittedly, I also don't know a ton about Linux or Ubuntu. I'm only going based off of my experience with dual-booting on two machines. I hadn't heard of the printer issue, as I've never done printing while in Ubuntu. But it doesn't surprise me. It's all stuff you can pretty much check with the Live CD, though.

There's a learning curve, but once you get past it, the ease of the OS is pretty good. I definitely won't recommend Ubuntu to a PC newb, but someone who knows how to do more than just the basics shouldn't have a hard time learning their way around.

[FreakShiny]

Originally Posted by Bryan

what attitude, one that wants a system with ease of use that I don't have to spend hours getting a wireless NIC to work and display to show properly? I read a report from Maximum PC that ordered one of those Dells w/ Ubuntu installed. And even it didn't work out of the box. He had to spend time getting his wireless to work as well.

I currently own 'one of those Dells w/ Ubuntu' and it works just fine right out of the box. In fact, this system that I have now (1420n) is probably the best computer I have ever purchased.