Introduction

My previous experience with Ubuntu has been good. 8.04.1 did very well for me, even if I finally decided to go with SUSE 11.0 as my main Linux distro.

Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex was a non-LTS release. People were expecting big changes, though perhaps a little irrationally. Nevertheless, the list of new features is given in this very short compilation.

So how is the new Ubuntu? I took a look, and in my own manner: desktop emphasis, the uses a regular desktop would be put to.

My test rig was the Acer Ferrari (2.0GHz, 64bit Dual Core, 2GB RAM, ATI X1600 Mobility Radeon)

Installation

To begin with, I did not experience the slow server speeds that could have been expected: I had a smooth, fast download. I burnt the CD image, loaded up the CD and went live.

The installation procedure is almost exactly like the previous version: simple, fast, working. If your Linux partitions are set up already, like mine, the whole thing is a breeze. You simply specify the mounts points for each of the partitions, and off you go. I installed mine in about 20 minutes, start to end.

First impressions

I found myself in a very familiar environment. Anyone who has used Ubuntu will note very few changes in the cosmetics - the change of wallpaper is the only notable change first go. You have the same simple, brown, theme. What I wished for, however, was a brand new theme.

There is indeed a new theme, though, called DarkRoom. It is good as far as it goes, but after a few minutes of using it, I got bored. That never happens with me as a rule, and still do not tire of the regular Ubuntu look, but this must then be an exception. Aesthetics are a matter of taste, and this one disagrees with me.

I switched back to the old theme.

Deeper in

Truth is, there is not much deeper to go. The almost exact same software selection as before is handed out: GIMP, Firefox, OpenOffice.org, Totem, etc. All are at their latest versions, except, surprisingly, OpenOffice.org. Version 3 is not present.

And the stability is exactly the same as before: high. I ran it for an hour or so, doing everything at once, and it held on.

I am sorry to say that my old issue with my graphics card drivers has not yet been resolved: I cannot turn on Desktop effects even after downloading the restricted drivers. The same solution as before worked: using the xgl-server package.

Overall, everything is generally the same as before. I did not get to test the new Network Manager: I have a static prock-sy (this is deliberately spelt as a workaround against a problem on my server) and no wireless connection to test. However, my Bluetooth device worked this time, and properly. One of the reasons for that may be the new Linux kernel this release of Ubuntu sports.

The New Things

And then there are the new things. The X.org server has been updated, but to be very truthful, I failed to notice any difference whatsoever in any regard. The new Linux kernel is also not noticeable to the average user, there is again no obvious difference.

The Nautilus file manager has been given a very browser-ish tab feature. While useful, I fail to see how it can be called a ‘major’ feature.

But I liked the Guest Account session. Much like the Guest Account Windows users are aware of, this is possibly more secure. I did test it out a bit, and checked my e-mail, did a bit of browsing. All good.

One trumpeted feature is the encryption of the home drive. This may be a boon for the over-careful amongst us, but for the average desktop user, this is as useless as it get. Vista had BitLocker, and this is nothing more than an Ubuntu version of the same thing. And I certainly don’t see too many people using it. Just another feature to add to the list, perhaps?

Oh, and one more thing. My Speedtouch 330 USB modem still does not work out of the box.

Final Words

My testing is not yet exhausted. I will post more updates if I think it worth the trouble.

Truth is, though, that I am disappointed. Though this is as good as the previous Ubuntu release, I fail to see what is so stunning about this. In fact, if you keep your distro fully updated, you practically already have Intrepid Ibex. The new features are, to say anything, niche features. Apart from package updates (OpenOffice.org was still missed), one can notice a definite conservatism on part of the Canonical team.

I would have loved to see brand new features, some radical changes. Even a great new look would have done - I saw some great possibles floating around the internet.

In effect, this new Ubuntu is a power up of the old one. And as far as that goes, this is OK, I suppose.

But should you get it? Yes.

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