Testing the next Linux software (Ubuntu and Amarok)

[Lino]

Since I am finished with my Linux + which basically only focused on Red Hat or rather Fedora at our college

I have been waiting to finish everything so that I could remove Cent from my system. Honestly I much preferred it to Fedora, won't allow that piece of software on my PC ever again.

Anyway back on topic, I decided to install the following

Ubuntu 8.10 (Alpha 6) with both Gnome and KDE. Amarok 2, Beta 1 and Crossover Chrome.

So far, Ubuntu using the latest Gnome is actually quite usable, I am very impressed by this. It almost feels like a finished product, a few problems here and there but that is to be expected.

The addition of the HP manager is fantastic news for me, since I have a HP F2180 Deskjet.

Using KDE 4.11 on my system crashes the whole time, quite unstable and to be pretty blunt it is pathetic. No final judgements since 8.10 has not been released yet.

Although Gnome version at the moment is usable.

Amarok 2, Beta 1. I dunno hey, I know it is Beta software but I expect something more from Amarok 2. I can not put my finger on it, weird I know but true. Hopefully the GUI will be more organised when it is completed.

Crossover Chrome (Aka a port of Google Chrome)

Considering the fact at the moment it is better than nothing, it is now what I would call the worlds greatest port. However considering it is run over WINE it is actually usable. I can not wait for the Google version to be released.

Well done Crossover

 

[Tux]

Judging from the general reaction, it's KDE 4.xx that's unstable.

I had to roll back to KDE3.5 on my Opensuse box. Was unusable for all practical reasons with KDE 4. Libs reported the same when he tried KDE4 so it's not an error on my part.

 

[Lino]

Judging from the general reaction, it's KDE 4.xx that's unstable.

I had to roll back to KDE3.5 on my Opensuse box. Was unusable for all practical reasons with KDE 4. Libs reported the same when he tried KDE4 so it's not an error on my part.

I have to admit, I think KDE 4xx it still well pretty much cr@p. I just hope that they will release a stable version of KDE 4. Until then I am going to stick with Gnome.

 

[MyWorld]

I have not had a single KDE4 crash since I switched to it a couple of months ago (1-2 months ago) and thus it is very stable on my setup...

Maybe it is the distro of choice? Gentoo seems to handle KDE4 quite well. KDE 4.0 was a no go from the start, but since 4.1 was released (using 4.1.1 now) I really will be hard pressed to complain about it.

 

[Tux]

Maybe it is the distro of choice?

Tried it Opensuse10.3, Opensuse11 and Ubuntu 8.04

 

[MyWorld]

Any more advanced distros?

Like Arch Linux, Sabayon, Slackware, Gentoo?

I have it running on Arch on my daughters computer (she is 4 years old and puts that machine through its paces) and on my Gentoo box, never had a mayor issue with it.

 

[wezhira]

ive used kde4 10.3 and opensuse 11 just one problem one annoying bug that prevents me from using it now kde4.1 the one line task manager so until i get a fix that works i'll keep too kde 3.5.10

 

[web]

Been using Mandriva 2009 RC1 for the last two weeks with KDE 4.1.1 has been quite stable and actually now I am used to KDE 4.1.1 and it's not bad.

 

[milomak]

what did you not like about Fedora?

 

[Tux]

Any more advanced distros?

Like Arch Linux, Sabayon, Slackware, Gentoo?

Pretty sure I get it stable on my slackware box.. eventually..
But that's not the point. You and I and several of the other people here might be able to fix it with enough tinkering. Look at it from Joe-N00b's viewpoint.

You install this uberl33t linux OS for the first time.. Only to run into KDE4 and it's various "quirks". "Ah screw linux. It's a POS" and back to doze you go.

 

[fskmh]

Which is why Slack and Slamd64 12.1 are both still on KDE 3.5.9... and I am still on fluxbox .

I just noticed slack-current is on KDE-3.5.10, doesn't look like KDE 4.x is in the pipeline there.

Edit: 'k so it's in the /testing dir .

zomg, wtf have they done to the logo. [parody] That's it, I'm going to netbsd. [/parody]

 

[MyWorld]

Fluxbox and a first time n00b, not a good combination.


I concede, if you have to look at it that way then yes, KDE4 is not yet ready for main stream and I will concede that it is not yet n00b friendly.

 

[.Froot.]

Judging from the general reaction, it's KDE 4.xx that's unstable.

I had to roll back to KDE3.5 on my Opensuse box. Was unusable for all practical reasons with KDE 4. Libs reported the same when he tried KDE4 so it's not an error on my part.

Same here for me. I tried it and a day or so later went back to Gnome...

 

[Lino]

The progress of the Linux desktop has changed over the last couple of years. For those who don't know I have tried every single version of Ubuntu since its initial release, 4 years ago.

I have seen how this distribution has grown and matured into a usable system for the general consumer. I have also in the past tried Kubuntu (Ubuntu with KDE) and have always preferred Ubuntu. Bearing in mind I prefer KDE to Gnome.

With 8.10 Intrepid Ibex I still feel the same way.

Starting off, those of us who expected a new theme in Alpha 6 for both Ubuntu and Kubuntu will be sorry to find out. That their is no new theme. Graphically it looks exactly the same as Alpha 5 does. For this reason I shall not be posting screenshots.

Ubuntu 8.10 Alpha 6

The following additions and changes:

Newest GNOME 2.23.92 (Generally I find it very stable and for me seems more complete than previous versions.)

Nautilus file manager has tab support (In my regard is fantastic, it could not have come sooner. )

File Roller archive manager now supports ALZ, RZIP, CAB, TAR.7Z file types. (A must for those of us who archive in various formats.)

X.Org server 7.4 (This latest addition improves support for hot-pluggable input devices such as tablets, keyboards, and mice.)

Linux kernel 2.6.27 (Latest kernel which has brought various overall improvements to Linux systems.)

Encrypted private directory. (Works wonders if you want to keep a specific directory or folder private.)

Network Manager 0.7 (This has to be the overall best improvement to Ubuntu. With support of management of 3G connections (GSM/CDMA) etc)

DKMS (Allows kernel drivers to be automatically rebuilt when new kernels are released, thus the wait for newer drivers is reduced drastically. Perfect for those who live on the bleeding edge.)

So far, Ubuntu using the latest Gnome is actually quite usable, I am very impressed by this. It almost feels like a finished product, a few problems here and there but that is to be expected.

The addition of the HP manager is fantastic news for me, since I have a HP F2180 Deskjet.

Using KDE 4.11 on my system crashes the whole time, quite unstable and to be pretty blunt it is pathetic. No final judgements since 8.10 has not been released yet.

Although Gnome version at the moment is usable.

Amarok 2, Beta 1. I dunno hey, I know it is Beta software but I expect something more from Amarok 2. I can not put my finger on it, weird I know but true. Hopefully the GUI will be more organised when it is completed.

In short, when Ubuntu 8.10 is released, I am sure it will rock the Linux desktop. If you prefer a stable system where everything works wait til the final version of 8.10 is released.