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Topic: Software

Ubuntu netbook remix gets me closer to that netbook I've been wanting

Summary: Today at Computex, Canonical announced its Ubuntu Netbook Remix today. This version of Ubuntu 8.

Christopher Dawson

By for ZDNet Education |

Today at Computex, Canonical announced its Ubuntu Netbook Remix today. This version of Ubuntu 8.04 is optimized for the small screens and limited performance of the emerging class of netbooks. For those who have used Ubuntu before, it's clear that this provides a really compelling alternative to Windows XP Home, as well as to some of the less polished distributions available from Asus and other netbook OEMs.

Engadget has some nice screenshots posted. Since actual machines based on this distribution aren't going to be available until at least July, the question is can we wait long enough to have them in place in classrooms by September.

However, I'm inclined to believe they will be worth the wait. Given the basically indefinite extension of Windows XP Home for netbooks and nettops, it doesn't appear that Microsoft will be pumping much new life into this segment any time soon. While many *nix distros work well with limited hardware, a distribution optimized for screen size and using Intel's Moblin technology to fully exploit the Atom hardware is certainly welcome for educators seeking inexpensive, easy-to-use netbooks.

Topics: Software, Microsoft, Open Source, Operating Systems, Windows

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21 comments
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  • Awful default wallpaper, but otherwise....

    Good news for me too, because I plan to buy a cheap netbook as well. And Ubuntu suits me fine.

    A pity though, that this fine piece of software is apparently "adorned" by what's surely the ugliest default wallpaper in existence. Oh well, easily changeable, thank G*d.

    Greeting, Pjotr.
    pjotr123
    Reply Vote

    • Changed?

      [i]A pity though, that this fine piece of software is apparently "adorned" by what's surely the ugliest default wallpaper in existence. Oh well, easily changeable, thank G*d.[/i]

      Did they back off on that? My experience with the whole GNOME suite is that the official approach to configuration is, "if you want to change that, here's the source code."

      Hacking the source or the GNOME registry to make basic changes to the environment is more than I want to do. Give me a text config file any day.
      Yagotta B. Kidding
      Reply Vote

      • Yes you Gotta B. Kidding me...

        System > Preferences > Appearance

        You change the wallpaper there.
        storm14k
        Reply Vote

        • Local user only

          If you want the wallpaper to be available system-wide you have to add the wallpaper to '/usr/share/backgrounds/', then edit the ubuntu-wallpapers.xml file to have it show up in the change background dialog.

          Now with KDE all you have to do is add your wallpaper to '/usr/share/wallpapers' and viola, it's available system-wide. One of the many reasons I prefer KDE over Gnome.
          MisterMiester
          Reply Vote

          • Interesting...

            Not the most vital of functions, as an extra click on "Add Wallpaper" would give the same end-result for the user, but still interesting for giving multiple users "suggested options" in the immediate window in a mass-deployment situation.
            AndyCee
            Reply Vote

  • RE: Ubuntu netbook remix gets me closer to that netbook I've been wanting

    Points to ponder.
    Asus has Xandros; HP has Suse.
    Does anyone know which OEMs will have Nubuntu on their netbook entries? Possibly Dell since it already has a relationship with Canonical.
    hgh9mrp@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Ubuntu netbook remix gets me closer to that netbook I've been wanting

    It runs Ubunut, that is enough reason to make consumers not want this piece of junk. People do not want to use linux due to the added hassles of maintenance and upkeep. Looking for applications with weird names, looking for the application versions then comparing it to what you have installed, downloading and compiling source, hoping it doesn't segfault or kernel panic -- these are issues consumers WILL NOT put up with. Running Ubuntu is going to give you these types of headaches. Consumers also don't want to type in a password before trying to run each application. After 15 years you'd think linux would learn how to behave like a proper operating system. Guess not! Thats ok, their constant failures always makes me smile.
    Loverock Davidson
    Reply Vote

    • Hate to say it, but flamey guy is kinda right

      With an open mind and heart i did the wubi install on my machine. I gave it a go for a couple of weeks. despite not booting on a couple of occasions and the starting all of the sudden like nothing bad had ever happened, it was slightly more stable then vista pre sp1. I could customize my interface and do all sorts of stuff windows doesnt let me do. But eye candy is really where everything warm and fuzzy stopped. Biggest problem, none of my favorite apps run on linux. second biggest problem, passwords everywhere. want to do something even slightly more complicated then run an app, better learn your unix commands...

      linux will never replace mainstream os's until it grows up. It cant just be for us programmers, it needs to be for my grandma too.
      mydasx
      Reply Vote

      • Of course I'm right (NT)

        |>
        Loverock Davidson
        Reply Vote

      • Compiz

        I'm running Vista at work and Ubuntu at home - the eye candy with Compiz kicks the crap out of Aero, and is way more configurable (as far as I could find). Even a quick internet search for Aero configuration only led me to the Pick a Color/Transparency Y/N dialog. Compiz has rotating desktops, % opacity, wobbly windows, and all kinds of stuff I haven't gotten around to playing with yet.
        And yes, you do need to run different apps - most Windows apps are not MP. But there are plenty of Linux apps available that serve the same purpose (I'm not going to argue about which are better - all depends on what features you need/desire/appreciate. But anyone who says they don't like it because it is different from what they know is just too lazy to learn something new (which extends your lifespan, BTW). Which is fine, keep using Windows, paying too much for apps, and wasting time rebooting constantly).
        Turntwo
        Reply Vote

      • Relevant points but...

        The point missing here is that the Ubuntu Netbook Remix isn't Ubuntu 8.04 (certainly not the same as Ubuntu running in Wubi). Also, a netbook is not a notebook (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook).

        While I could go on explaining the differences in detail, they can be summed up as follows:

        *) Stability & compatibility isn't an issue on a netbook OS (If you want different apps, get a notebook).

        *) If your grandma can double-click (or double-tap), she can use Netbook Remix.

        So comparing the stability and usability of Netbook Remix to a full linux OS is like comparing Windows Mobile to Windows Server, or the iPhone to OSX. Different tools for different fools.
        AndyCee
        Reply Vote

        • hmmm confusing

          *) Stability & compatibility isn't an issue on a netbook OS (If you want different apps, get a notebook).

          are you suggesting you can't run custom apps on a netbook? the link you sent us to on wikipedia, has a asus eee pc on it (which i own). Turns out, you can run any app you want on it, just doesnt have a disk drive. Pretty sure asus, knows what they are selling, and wikipedia supports it. So, your first bullet here is totally wrong and a bit pidgeon holed. you may want to read what you link before you link it.

          Good luck getting my grandmother to recompile her kernal.
          mydasx
          Reply Vote

  • RE: Ubuntu netbook remix gets me closer to that netbook I've been wanting

    New to Linux: I am new to Linux and tried most of the mainstream distributions. I heard a lot of them say, ease to use, but found Freespire to be the best for ease and the ability to add new features and software. It has proprietary drivers and software. Maybe, because I have been a window user for years, I found Freespire to be the best. I never hear anyone ever mention Freespire & since it is built around the Ubuntu I don't understand why? Why?
    primasefalls
    Reply Vote

    • Now, we need one that uses the OLPC screen technology to reduce energy

      usage, and of course so it is daylight readable. An Arm design would suit me just fine. How about a dual core about 500 MHz. I would rather have longer battery life than more processing power.

      But, with a special Ubuntu version, count me in when the prices are right.
      DonnieBoy
      Reply Vote

      • use OLPC Screen and 500 Mhz Processor

        I want that, too, which should rock with Puppy Linux.

        x86 platforms already have eeePC and Classmate PC, which run well at ~ 600 mhz.
        raffym@...
        Reply Vote

    • Freespire gets no mention because it is connected to Lindows.

      Back in the bad old days, Lindows was sued and forced to change its name; which became Linspire and then grew the Freespire branch; it also used proprietary drivers and a combined free and pay-for-use CNR system for adding apps. As a result it has been a little non-loved by the hard core Linux folks. I am no expert, but Lindows was the first linux I could actually use, and I have always wondered how much the CNR pushed the rest of the Linux world toward the nice package managers we now enjoy. Again, I am no expert, maybe they were already there and CNR copied them; but in my path to Linux use, Lindows and its descendants opened the door for me. But I prefer Ubuntu today.
      ajole
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Ubuntu netbook remix gets me closer to that netbook I've been wanting

    I understand the need for an optimized version of Ubuntu for notebooks, but let me add my $0.02 worth... I have a sony Vaio TX650P, weighs 2.7 lbs, 11" screen. I'm dual booting XP and Hardy Heron (8.04). XP is adequate, however, Hardy flies on it. It runs everything on the notebook except the external VGA connector (might be me) and some sort of magnifying glass thingy on F10, but XP doesn't run that either. What I'm saying, if you're careful with your hardware selection, you can get everything to run properly, with more than enough speed. Hardy badly outperforms XP on this system. I'd almost say the default build is fine for specific notebooks...
    don.m
    zdnet@...
    Reply Vote

    • You are right, but the cost drives the issue.

      The much cheaper netbooks this is aimed at don't have the hardware you do, and so need an OS designed to keep it simple and small.
      ajole
      Reply Vote

  • Apologies to Lord Tennyson....

    Linux to right of them,
    NetApps to left of them,
    Vista in front of them
    Volley'd & thunder'd;
    Storm'd at with api and shell,
    Boldly they code and well,
    Into the jaws of Death,
    Into the mouth of Hell
    Rode the Redmond Brigade.


    Seriously, sub $500 Linux netbooks could spell the beginning of the end for the Microsoft desktop monopoly.
    esalkin
    Reply Vote

    • I think you're drawing a long bow...

      ...as Microsoft has survived blows and lawsuits that would destroy Coke, McDonalds and the entire internet porn industry put together.

      I mean, why is XP still available on the eeePC? It's the only way Microsoft has been able to compete in the ULC notebook category.
      AndyCee
      Reply Vote
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