Comments on: Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) Desktop Edition Review

By: Ryan Knight

Ryan Knight — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:43:02 +0000

I recently set up a new Mac mini and then a couple of days set up a new HP laptop for a friend with Windows 7. The Mac setup process is flawless and it helps you setup the wireless network up front. I literally takes 5 minutes to have your Mac up and running. The first thing Windows does is try to have you register, but that fails because you are not yet connected to the wireless network. On Windows it seemed like I had to answer 20 or so silly questions just to get the computer setup, it was painful. Then I had to manually configure the wireless. Windows setup time ended up being over an hour. None of it is a big deal, it’s just a difference of how everything feels more difficult on Windows. And not Windows specific, but I can not believe the crapware and advertising still on Windows machines. There were pop-up offers for a variety of add-ons. For example the default Internet Explorer window was reduced to half the size of the screen because of a variety of HP and Norton add-ons.

Now the main problem I have with Snow Leopard when I upgraded my laptop is it broken all my printer drivers. I have 2 “legacy” canon printers that are only 1-2 years old and none of them work anymore. Why would they delete all the printer drivers off your system and not have a replacement is a major flaw.

By: Iveen Duarte (iveen) 's status on Friday, 30-Oct-09 22:23:42 UTC - Identi.ca

Iveen Duarte (iveen) 's status on Friday, 30-Oct-09 22:23:42 UTC - Identi.ca — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:23:57 +0000

[...] http://www.jamesward.com/blog/2009/10/29/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-desktop-edition-review/ a few seconds ago from Gwibber in context [...]

By: Roy Schestowitz (schestowitz) 's status on Friday, 30-Oct-09 22:15:54 UTC - Identi.ca

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:16:24 +0000

[...] http://www.jamesward.com/blog/2009/10/29/ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala-desktop-edition-review/ a few seconds ago from kdemicroblog [...]

By: James Ward

James Ward — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:20:45 +0000

Windows 7 is nice. It works. It’s what Vista should have been. I didn’t know about the window trick. Will have to check it out.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:45:17 +0000

Coincidentally, I fired up the cd today and gave it a brief spin. It seems like about the right level of refinement for a jump of only .06 in version # from the last version I tested (pretty sure that was 9.04…). I’m going to test their netbook version too, just for kicks. Both still seem like good options for giving out to high maintenance/low computer knowledge family members as a last ditch “get on the internet when I’ve ad/spy/viruswared my windows install into oblivion”.

I think I’m more impressed with Windows 7 than you sound. It’s like Vista without all the crap…which says more than it looks like imho. I don’t see such a problem with “core improvements” I mean, how much do you have to change things for it count as an improvement these days? Plus, there is something to be said for calcification of common use products. Say, the interior/dashboard set up of a car. No matter how varied they are, they’ve looked basically the same for the duration of my lifetime at least. And yet, they allow room for improvements like in-dash GPS, mp3, etc. So I don’t see how the atrophy of form is necessarily a bad thing if the functions and features are kept up to date.

Plus, that thing in 7 where you can drag a window to the edge and auto half-size it is incredibly handy. I’m actually tempted to buy the blasted OS just for that. But no, I’m cheap, so I’m holding out for that free copy some vendor is going to throw my way. Or maybe one of those Microsoft lunch things. That’s how I got my copy of Office 2007 :).

By: The Ubuntu Karmic Koala 9.10 review post | Ubuntu-News - Your one stop for news about Ubuntu

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:01:05 +0000

[...] James Ward: Overall I really appreciate any steps that Linux takes towards being a more viable Windows / Mac alternative. [...]

By: David Wilhelm

David Wilhelm — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:54:41 +0000

I’m still happy with Hardy Heron.. have to admit I’m a little spooked by previous disastrous linux upgrade experiences, though that was with KDE… Gnome seems a lot more stable. I basically agree with you , the OS & Gnome desktop are fine, but the core Office style apps need work – Evolution + Exchange is a nightmare — I’m just using webmail as it works better. Ooo mostly works but its such a sluggish beast. These are real stumbling blocks for linux adoption in the real world .. but I realize this is the thing with OS software that there’s not a coordinated software development strategy for the platform. Given the choice I’d probably just use a Mac all the time, but at my work that’s not an option :(