An Ubuntu Story...

so I've been messing around with linux for a few years now, never really understanding it, always testing out the latest live cds and basically feeling unhappy with them, and lately, using my laptop as a linux experiment machine.

that was until, of course, my ubuntu installer wiped out my partitions on my main computer's hard drive. the same partitions that contained a back up version of XP (yes, trust me, i tried burning the back up to a dvd, it didn't work out so well. corrupted cds and what not). Needless to say, my legal version of XP is pretty much gone forever and ubuntu, while attempting to make a new partition for itself, slain it into oblivion.

i was pissed. i was infuriated. i tried ubuntu out on my laptop, but it's wifi support was minimum at best and i rarely used it at all. i wasn't all too excited to embrace the world of open source software, especially when I use various audio programs on windows for recording my band.

after a day or two of using ubuntu, it's safe to say i'm never using windows or paying for/using their bloated products ever again.

the first thing i did was check to see if i could upload my tape recordings, the only thing that's truly important to me. I quickly found out that ubuntu did not support my soundcard's front mic, but supported the rear end mic. after some tinkering, i got everything to work just fine. this is a good sign.

also, the packages system is simply amazing and easy to use. this isn't the linux i remember, seeing how nothing ever worked and finding the things i needed was even more a pain. i love the large amount of open sourced, free software available with just a few clicks. this is real good.

however the only problems i stumble on are when some packages cannot be easily removed. I.E. when i wanted to remove OpenOffice Draw, it told me i must use Synaptic Package Manager. so I fumble around in there and somehow i was given the option to remove "ubuntu" and "ubuntu desktop". HOW? thank god i was paying attention. :p

anyway, this is by far one of the best distros i've used in a long time and as long as i don't go out of my way to break the OS, i think it'll work out for me for a long time.

nice job. enjoy your ride :)

linux for ever!!!:p

docdraino said: somehow i was given the option to remove "ubuntu" and "ubuntu desktop". HOW? thank god i was paying attention. :p

actually it is safe to remove OO draw. it will not remove ubuntu desktop. it is only referring to the meta package (?) but anyway, glad to hear you are enjoying it.

Generally, I don't respond in threads like this, but I have to admit, that's a cute story.

Welcome to the forums.

:)

feel free to ask around in the forums if you need any help or support

gl

docdraino said: Needless to say, my legal version of XP is pretty much gone forever and ubuntu, while attempting to make a new partition for itself, slain it into oblivion.

Actually (and not to dissuade you from using Ubuntu!), I'm pretty sure that as long as you have a legal key (somewhere on your machine's case, if you bought it with XP installed), you can use any XP CD. Meaning if you have a downloaded copy of Windows XP Home that you can use in tandem with a legal key it should work. Activation also shouldn't be an issue.

But I recommend sticking with Ubuntu, of course. Just thought you ought to be aware. :P

I'm glad you like it, and Ubuntu can be a great learning experience. :)

za.zen said: Actually (and not to dissuade you from using Ubuntu!), I'm pretty sure that as long as you have a legal key (somewhere on your machine's case, if you bought it with XP installed), you can use any XP CD. Meaning if you have a downloaded copy of Windows XP Home that you can use in tandem with a legal key it should work. Activation also shouldn't be an issue.

meh i never really thought of that...but i'm too lazy for that now. oh well. :P

docdraino said: the first thing i did was check to see if i could upload my tape recordings, the only thing that's truly important to me. I quickly found out that ubuntu did not support my soundcard's front mic, but supported the rear end mic. after some tinkering, i got everything to work just fine. this is a good sign.

Yes, Ubuntu has ""some"" fluctuating hardware support. Like my ATI Radeon HD 3200, and Ubuntu 8.10 with compiz doesn't agree with each other.

Glad to see you liking Ubuntu. :)

docdraino said: so I fumble around in there and somehow i was given the option to remove "ubuntu" and "ubuntu desktop". HOW? thank god i was paying attention. :p

Just some technical information here: "ubuntu-desktop", as meta-package, is merely a collection of all packages that constitute the default installation. If you are removing something that is installed by default in Ubuntu (i.e., OOo Draw), then "ubuntu-desktop" must also be removed, in order to resolve dependencies. However, removing "ubuntu-desktop" does nothing to disturb anything else on your system.