Triple Boot – Day Two
Comments OffMy Initial Thoughts On Ubuntu
Today I started my triple boot project by installing Linux Ubuntu 8.10. I first used Windows 7’s disk management tool (by right clicking on “Computer” on the start menu and selecting “Manage”) to create 2 new partitions for the new operating systems and formatting them as FAT32 file systems. I then rebooted my computer with the bootup DVD in the drive, created from an .iso file. (Burning a disc image is simple in Windows 7 – no software is needed, just navigate to the .iso file, right click, and select “Open With >” and select the disc image tool)
Setup of Ubuntu was simple. I chose the 7 GB partition and formatted it as an EXT3 file system, and it installed in about 10 minutes without a hitch. In addition, it even added Windows 7 to its own GRUB boot loader, giving me the option to dual-boot with no action required on my part.
At first glance I was very impressed with Ubuntu. Its driver support is incredible-It needed no hardware configuration at all, and when it booted up I saw a clean desktop in my laptop’s native resolution (1280×800). There are fun little graphic features like docking a window on a side of the desktop and having to pull it – like a wad of goo – off of the edge. The windows even bend when you pull them across the screen.
The Ubuntu desktop, "stretching" a window to pull it off the edge
I was using a USB mouse from startup and Ubuntu told me how much mouse battery was left – something Windows won’t even do without extra bloatware, and it even had a list of available wireless networks for me which I connected to effortlessly. No Windows update, no “found new hardware – installing drivers” message or anything. After connecting my iPod, a program called [Music Player] (clever) popped up and listed my entire music library and works just like iTunes. I’m liking this!
Now – the drawbacks. I’m not that impressed by the User Interface. It is very clean, but doesn’t seem to “pop” at all. In my opinion the Windows XP desktop looks better, and I got sick of that in 2007 when I made the transition to Vista. Windows 7 has a much better UI than Vista even, so using the default gross-brown Ubuntu desktop is like going back to Windows 98 for me. Also, it doesn’t seem as “Intrepid” as the name implies. (Ubuntu 8.10’s nickname is “Intrepid Ibex”) Even opening the menus on the top bar was about the same speed as opening the Start Menu in Windows. This was very surprising to me because Ubuntu requires half the system resources of Windows 7 yet seems to move at the same pace. If my math is correct…. it’s supposed to be twice as fast!
I’m leaving a spot in my heart (for the taking) for Ubuntu, so I’m not kicking it to the curb yet. As soon as I try to work in Ubuntu I’ll let everyone know how I like it – inside AND out (this was just the outside).
Stay tuned! Later this week I will attempt the Mac OSX86 installation with troubleshooting tips and screenshots as I continue my “Triple Boot Goodness” project/tutorial.
Mike Sherwood