[DJ Maze]

I bought myself a new PC (pics here
and tried the latest Kubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Ribbon.

Install was a PITA because i've configured the DP35DP motherboard to use softwareRAID (fakeRAID) in RAID 0 mode over 3 harddrives.
I had to download the dmraid package and install without grub.
Then go into console mode and install + configure grub myself to get it working,

Finally it booted, installed loads of development stuff and Compiz-fusion in GLX mode.
One day later KDE was all screwed up.

Downloaded Fedora 8, install was flawless, Compiz-fusion in AIGLX mode using the Livna driver (special nvidia driver) and damn it all works in KDE.
The only drawback is that it boots slower

[WebSiteGuru]

Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon is a breeze to install, it use GNOME version... It even resolved most of the video driver problem. And PCI sound card is a lot more easier to configured too.

As for Kubuntu and KDE to me it always screwed up. So I dont even try to use it.

[DJ Maze]

Ubuntu failed miserably overhere. The nVidia DRI module wasn't loaded (install fails cos gnome needs mesa) and ccsm (compiz configuration manager) didn't work.
Only the basic wobble and cube option manager worked, no fancy stuff at all.

Sure Ubuntu has a nice fast bootup, where Fedora fails (stupid RedHat NASH) but support for my crazy setup fails everywhere else so Fedora is here (except for MPEG support though)

[Eestlane]

That's why there are so many distros out there.
I like Ubuntu so far, though there could be a bit less hassle, but it has got much better than it was 2 years ago.

[WebSiteGuru]

DJ Maze wrote:

Ubuntu failed miserably overhere. The nVidia DRI module wasn't loaded (install fails cos gnome needs mesa) and ccsm (compiz configuration manager) didn't work.
Only the basic wobble and cube option manager worked, no fancy stuff at all.

Sure Ubuntu has a nice fast bootup, where Fedora fails (stupid RedHat NASH) but support for my crazy setup fails everywhere else so Fedora is here (except for MPEG support though)

I also use nVidia, I had downloaded the linux version of their driver and run the sh command on it. Never had anymore problem since 7.04 Fiesty, been up and runing ever since. Set a side when there is a major update to the core, then I will have to run that file again. So I kept it handy for the next release. (Hardy).

[DJ Maze]

Nice WSG, a shame 7.04 will not run properly with my mobo (way to new ICH9R chipset).

If i were you i definatly would stay with 7.04 (or 6.06 cos of the long time support)!

[WebSiteGuru]

DJ Maze wrote:

Nice WSG, a shame 7.04 will not run properly with my mobo (way to new ICH9R chipset).

Guess I got lucky with this old dawn 'puter. It is still the old chipset for PIII.

DJ Maze wrote:

If i were you i definatly would stay with 7.04 (or 6.06 cos of the long time support)!

Too late for that now, I had alredy upgraded to 7.10 (like a week before it was released) But I will definately stick with this version for a while. Since I am still trying to learn other windows equivalent programs (IE: GIMP) so I can get back at full speed in Theming again.

[DJ Maze]

You should install KDE instead of Gnome (or as an additional WM)
Then you have cool tools like KDEWebDev which has XLST debuggers, Quanta+ and much more development tools.

[WebSiteGuru]

What is WM? Sorry I don't know what's that abbriviation mean.

As for installing KDE I am sceptic about that still. When I tried to install KDE Desktop on my it the last time so I can have options for the looks. It scewed my system up bigtime.

I might just drag out my other old computer in the closet and load it up and see. Now where the heck did I put that KVM switch box?.....

But I am definately leaving this computer alone this time.

[DJ Maze]

WM = Window Manager

KVM = synergy2.sourceforge.net/

[WebSiteGuru]

DJ Maze wrote:

WM = Window Manager

Thanks.

DJ Maze wrote:

KVM = synergy2.sourceforge.net/

LMAOL! Yea! That's what I am looking for. Oh! I remembered where I put it now, in the garage.

[DJ Maze]

With synergy you don't have to find your hardware, it is software based and already in the Ubuntu distro's

[Rayvenhaus]

I've also recently made the plunge at home and dropped Vista. I'd been running XP for the longest time, then upgraded to Vista because of the eye-candy (I know, lousy reason)

Anyways, I was running into random lockups with Vista and really random reboots, grew way tired of the UAC and overall, even though it looked really kewl, just wasn't thrilled with it.

So, I backed everything up and then downloaded Kubunto 7.10, Debian 4.0RC1 and FreeBSD (I've done Fedora at work and just don't really mesh with it well). Blew away the Drive and fired up the install disks:

System Specs: Abit IP35 Pro motherboard, LGA775 Intel P35 chipset. 2GB Memory and a Maxtor 7H500F0 500GB SATA Drive. Twin PNY VVerto Geforce 6200 PCI video cards.

Both Windows XP and Vista had no problems installing and running on this system. XP was rock solid but I was bored with it. Vista installed and operate fine, just the random unstableness.

Debian 4.0RC1 - No go because the disk deteection failed to detect my 500GB sata drive. The Kernel used by Debian (2.6.18) did not have the needed drivers and I was in no position to make a new kernel myself at this point becuase I didn't have an operating system. I did find a backported Debian etch with the right drivers and I did get Debian to load finally but I dislike the gnome desktop and really wanted the KDE desktop and trying to remove gnome and install KDE blew up on me (Most likely operator error). I finally gave up on it and went to FreeBSD.

FreeBSD - Same error, no detection of the SATA drive.

Kubuntu 7.10 - Fiesty Fawn - Installed like a snap and within 45 minuteas I was up and functional with KDE, WiFi and my Bluetooth keyboard/mouse and one monitor.

Over the past weekend I was able to get everything tweaked the way I wanted it, got dual monitors up and running using Nvidia drivers and a few tweaks and such. Over all, I'm happy (Though the wife isn't)

Still got a few irritations. Using ndiswrapper to wrap the Netgear WG311V3 XP Drivers works, however it doesn't reload the wrapper on reboot. The Logitech MX5000 and Mx1000 Keyboard/Mouse combo didn't want to repair with the keyboard on reboot, causing an inability to login.

Minor things overall. However, one majot kudo... The system is stable now and doesn't lock up randomly.

[WebSiteGuru]

DJ Maze wrote:

With synergy you don't have to find your hardware, it is software based and already in the Ubuntu distro's

Hmmm, must have missed something then. How do I use it then?

[WebSiteGuru]

Rayvenhaus wrote:

I've also recently made the plunge at home and dropped Vista.

WOPPIE! Happy to hear. Nice to see you post again.