For those of you interested in Linux, especially the Ubuntu, Xubuntu, or Kubuntu flavors of it, good news. Sometime today marks the release of the next Long Term Supported release of it. As a supporter of Linux, today is as good of a day as ever to talk about it, the differences between other distributions, and how to get it.
To start off, Ubuntu has been around since 2004, and has been updated twice a year, often once in April sometime, and once in October. The releases are often timed to be released at the end of the month that it is due to come out for. A little known fact: Ubuntu’s numbering system comes from the year and the month is it released. Since it is April 2010, the year.month combination works out to be 10.04. Ubuntu is often the most commonly installed Linux distribution due to it’s ease of use and general amazing support for hardware, both new and old. Ubuntu is also based off of a extremely stable operating system called Debian, which was founded in 1993. This still shows true even to today. To this day, if you wish to install something that is outside of the standard desktop packages, as pre-compiled packages for Ubuntu are known as deb files. It’s main difference between it and other distros is the fact that Ubuntu remains a consistent cutting edge, as compared to Debian. It also is considered highly popular due to it’s ease of use.
Seeing as Xubuntu 10.04 Long Term Release is due out as well, I’ll be along side most of the people here that are willing to learn about Linux, but I also have some nice pointers for the readers, to help improve their new operating system and have it up and working as quickly as possible.
- No matter what errors you face in Ubuntu, chances are extremely good someone’s faced the same errors before in a previous incarnation. Certainly there are the people to tell you to ‘RTFM’ [Read The Fine Manual] but the truth of the matter is, you won’t know until you ask.
- To get the fastest possible download speed for your updates and installation of packages, go to the System Menu, and open up the Software Sources program. Hit the drop down list that lists your server and select the “Other…” then hit the “Select Best Server” button. Run that button twice more, and go with the most consistent answer, and you’ll notice your updates faster.
- Make sure if you’re going to be playing with MP3s and RAR files to install the restricted extras. However, DVD playback is in the Medibuntu Repository
- If you feel you don’t have enough choice in your programs, you’re free to use GetDeb, PlayDeb, and any other DEB links out there.
- Finally, if you’d like to regain space that Ubuntu took up that it doesn’t need, for alternative translations and whatnot, BleachBit is the best thing on the market for it.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux.
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Ubuntu 10.04 sux.. the live cd doesn’t even work with my Dell Inspiron laptop and my other laptops. Luckly it work with my PC.. but still have problem with some hardware.
hello…………
is it supported with other apps?
thaks paul for the heads up !
never tried the x yet but have used u k varieties in the past (i have live versions of linux mint 8 ” helena” and some of the older ones of k and u on hand for windows comps that need a little work when they act up if you can’t boot into a windows comp they come in handy )
im a little busy right now ( just finished up two virus laden laptops win 7 32 bit and vista home basic 32 bit ) and just put together a comp for my sister with win 7 64 bit and amd 630 quad with a 500 gb black edition hhd and 4 gb gskill in a antec nsk1380 with asus M4A785T-M (csm)
works great but need some rest too (it’s 2:49 here in sask )
will wait till next week to try the x version of ubuntu
EH!
gl and tc
chuck
Thanx paul for Replying….!
and Nice to see u interacting with us…!
Hope u will review those things….!
thanx….!
Alright, like I said though, I think you should wait… as there are bugs in 10.04′s release. I’m finishing off a post now with an easy way to update and about those bugs.
Thanks Paul,
Ok for xubuntu then … I think I’ ll place it in one of the netbooks to give it a try !!!
I’ m going to sleep now, … here is 3:23 in the morning.
Talk to you later.
@macinodaz, yes you can, especially if it’s an Ubuntu-based distro… but I would recommend holding off for a little bit.
Hi Paul,
I’ m not sure … can I install linux in dual boot with win 7 ???
thanks !!!
@NoProb, cool, good to hear :)
@macinodaz, in compared to Mint and normal Ubuntu, it doesn’t walk you though everything, even though well supported. That’s my two cents.
Thanks everyone very much. Really learn a lot from here.
@bullygram – thx. for the info on xubuntu
@Paul\HelNoire thx. for info. concerning LXDE as I have mostly used XFCE and never knew of the other.
never was into the KDE/Gnome desktop
Puppy Linux user mostly when not on windows.
usually Pizza Pup,but Fire Hydrant (three versions) is a close second.
Hi Paul,
finally 10.04 LTS is out, but what you said about xubuntu ??? You like it because leaves you space to learn more ??? in which way ???
I should try it ???
Hope not to much work tough, … my wife already complains about me spending to much time on PCs up to late … lol
Thanks, HellNoire
@bullygram, same here lol. I don’t like Gnome, I don’t like KDE… give me XFCE or LXDE, and I’m a happy user.
xubuntu is my favorite
@Tarun, haha, alright. You’re well rounded, I have to give you that.
If you want to know how it feel. Try googling some snapshots of 10.04
@Micheal: Try it , only then you would know.
@S2K: Watch for your system specs, if its light go for Netbook ,else choose ubuntu desktop; always try to get most from what you have…
And dont worry about the gui, its all your choice …
@HellNoire: For now, Its Ubuntu only, Plus a little of slackware(Slax), some puppy, a bit Knoppix—- seems i’m cooking something….lol….
But, in the end i chose Ubuntu. For its simplicity (Linux Mint was good, but it did not give much chance to learn), and greater support..
@wilson: You said: “Is there any way to update from Ubuntu version 9.04 to version 10?”
Do you mean to version 9.10 or to version 10.xx ?
If you want to upgrade to version 9.10, there’s no problem.
But, if you want to go to version 10.xx you should read the advise in the following link:
help.ubuntu.com/community/UpgradeNotes
In that page, Ubuntu says:
“To avoid damaging your system, upgrading should only be done from one release to the next release (e.g. Ubuntu 9.04 to Ubuntu 9.10) or from one LTS release to the next (e.g. Ubuntu 6.06LTS to Ubuntu 8.04LTS). If you wish to ‘skip’ a version, you can backup your data and do a fresh installation, or progressively upgrade to each successive version. For example, to upgrade from Ubuntu 8.10 to Ubuntu 9.10, first upgrade to 9.04, then upgrade 9.04 to 9.10. ”
Hope this helps.
@alwin, it’s the alternate person this time, Paul. But I’m glad it can help a little.
thx for the info ray…im new to linux or for that matter any new OS other than windows…but really interested in alternate OS….this article helped me understand smthng…
@Michael, Linux doesn’t need an antivirus, an anti-malware, an anti anything. All you need is Gufw, a graphical interface to the firewall. It has a browser built in… Firefox.
@Fahad Golra, I’m aware. It’s due out today though… might be late.
@Blackrose, Wise idea… I know I’m not waiting forever still.
@Nicks, I feel I’ve done that in my security article, but I certainly can. Personally though… I use Windows Firewall in Windows 7. Just a thought.
@mohsenm, why so negative? Most portable apps, yes, don’t work on the Linux side… but then again, there is “Portable Apps for Linux” if you Google. As for this complaint about command line stuff… Ubuntu’s currently ahead of the competitors in terms of a GUI for things… though Windows and Mac and Linux all have one thing that they all have in common. They all use that command line.
Those graphical utilities you’re using? They all send command line information around. It’s just the problem, today, today people expect the work to be done for them. Linux is a slap to the head, a back to the roots kind of way.
As for the modem… updating kernels, I’ve never lost anything I’ve had. That goes for modems, but it might be a good time to look for a well supported Linux one, because by the sounds of it, it’s some kind of obscure card.
@S2K, if you run the update command that Tarun posted in here, you should be able to update to the new version, assuming it’s 9.10, not 9.04. Personally I find the netbook interface annoying, but if you like it, keep using it. As for which is better… that you should try and see for yourself.
@Tarun, thank you very much for posting the command while I was sleeping. Seems like you too seem to know a lot about Linux, or is it Ubuntu only? Either way, a sincere thanks.
I cant waaaait for this!! :D
Super excited! :D
Linux FTW!!
hey paul….
Among ubuntu 10.4 destop n ubuntu 10.4 netbbook remix which is better…whts d difference b/w them apart from the beautiful interface of netbook remix…
i have installed 9.10 netbook remix using wubi…can i upgrade it to 10.4 destop version using update….
i tried ubuntu a few times. all of them were a bad experience,waste of time. an os in 2010 which can’t detect a simple dial-up modem, there is not any working drivers for it, if you find that then you should comeback to text-command experience we passed many years ago in dos, the if you learn that commands and want to install the driver ,you will face endless of request of other components that you should find . and of course all of your previous drivers and components you already have prepared with a high chance will be incompatible with the new core of linux.
so if you don’t have the adsl modem, then forget linux.
now we come to the linux applications, if you have used to use portable apps like me, then forget it; there is not such meaning in linux except for the os itself.
there was a time ,i thought people should transfer from expensive microsoft operating systems to free open source linux , but after facing so many problems and knowing that linux core is not open source too ,i figured out why it never gonna happen.
Thanx Paul. You’re articles are great, a bit different from Raymond’s style but still great. Will try 10.04 out next week.
Hi der….Paul
thanx for sharing the info…..
Paul could u pls review the Best free Antivirus….raymond has done this before…but most of dem have der new versions….it is hard to decide which is d best….!
1)Best free Antivirus
2)Best free Antispyware
3)Best free personal firewall
hope u will review it….Thanx Again
I wanted to order the free DVD, but the website order has stopped, I will pop today and ask.
Thanks for the info. I was preparing for RHCE but left in the middle now have to catch that up and use Ubuntu along side.
But on their website, they are showing that it is still a pre-release. They are not offering the final release of 10.04 even now.
Thanks Paul and Tarun for sharing this information
don’t know anything about linux,,does it need an antivirus,firewall,or other security app.,,,
does t come with a browser?
tnx for sharing this :)
Or as the ubuntu team describes it:
“To upgrade from Ubuntu 9.10 on a desktop system, press Alt+F2 and type in “update-manager -d” (without the quotes) into the command box. Update Manager should open up and tell you: New distribution release ’10.04′ is available. Click Upgrade and follow the on-screen instructions. “
@wilson: if you wish to update your distro, heres what to do :
1. fire up treminal and enter the following command(you can copy paste)(without quotes) :
” sudo apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgarde”
you will have the latest ubuntu release, whereas i personally recommend you to do a clean install of the new release, If you wish to keep all your things with you and not to install every app again, and those documents etc. you should move your home folder to somewhere else ->install ubuntu->copy it back. You are done :D …
Also if you are having a problem with the positioning of the close,minimize buttons let me know, You can fix that in some clicks (Thats the thing I love abt linux- Your OS the way you want )……..
Is there any way to update from Ubuntu version 9.04 to version 10? Without reinstall the whole system. Thanks.
Thanks Paul for the reminder…lol….am downloading it now..