My Little Ubuntu Guide

So I went ahead and decided to test this Alpha 6 version of the new 8.04 Ubuntu release scheduled for April sometime. I have to say, this is a HUGE improvement over Gutsy. It feels like this is the correct step up from Feisty and that Gutsy was what Windows ME was to Microsoft! Remember, stuff broke more!

So anyway, I’m not going to do the normal review everyone is doing, instead I want to focus on some of the granular changes that impressed me. I will however, do a quick overview of the obvious:

Obvious Changes

1. Hibernate Works with the Restricted FGLRX driver (thank goodness, because ATI’s official driver is still buggy).
2. Wireless is now handled by the b43 module for Broadcom chipsets (as opposed to the bcm43xx, now deprecated)
3. Software is more up to date, using Firefox 3 Beta 4, which is WAY COOL! It has features like the option to Save and Close, which saves your tabs and tell it to always do that…a “Smart” bookmarking system that keeps track of your most visited, etc., sites, cleaner and easier to use interface, etc….
4. Security is more advanced in the system, handling access rights to certain Admin tasks better.
5. The Tracker indexing service is much improved and easier to use/access.
6. A new Wifi feature called “Edit Wireless Networks” that allows you to see the most recently/common wifi networks you connect to and edit their settings, security, etc.

Now for the subtle changes

1. Disk checking is improved and actually gives you smart feedback on bootup when it runs, telling you the percentage it’s complete, what stage it’s in, etc. It also has a Skip option! Very nice.
2. When you mount an ISO image the system recognizes this and automatically places a CD icon on your Desktop! Awesome!
3. Regarding the install CD, you have the option to do an install, where it boots right into the install process, saving a lot of time by not loading up the desktop.
4. Compiz has new features and options, one I like is when you click an icon in your task bar to open the app, a tiny image of the icon zooms out, neet effect.
5. Remote Desktop Viewer added, which allows you to connect to other Ubuntu systems running with it enabled. It appears to be VNC so you could probably connect to any system running VNC…anyone know for sure?
6. File copy is much better, allowing you the option to Merge if there are folders with the same name. Also gives a nicer progress indicator and still has the Replace and Skip options.

So that’s the summary so far. I’ve had success running everything except Wifi. It’s buggy still. Sometimes it works and other times I can’t see any networks around! Weird. Also, it’s only successfully connected me to Open networks so far, any feedback from any of you on this? I’ve gone through what feels like millions of variations to fix this and so far still not 100%.

It is Alpha however, so I’m not shocked by this. Also, another notable bug is that the Restriced Drivers Manager, now called Hardware Drivers, crashes after FGLRX and Wifi have been installed.

Oh, here’s something else VERY important. When you install the Wifi b43 module, don’t use the Hardware Drivers panel to do it. It doesn’t do a complete job and you won’t have Wifi. Instead go to a terminal and install it manually:

sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter

Then choose Yes when it asks if you want to download and install the firmware.

That’s it for now…I’ll update as I go along.

CDs are still in the works. I’m in a crunch right now thus the delay.

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So after compiling a zillion kernels I got fed up and decided to try the latest and greatest ATI driver. And what do you know, AIGLX is working great now! Smooth as silk and speedy too…

Until I get a cleaner and more accurate how-to up, refer to this post I did earlier: http://www.mylittleubuntuguide.com/2007/12/30/how-to-ati-w-compiz-hibernate-and-suspend-working/

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UPDATE: Ok, after the initial custom kernel build everything broke. But that was my lack of foresight. So I’m doing it again, this time using the SAME KERNEL that was on here. (I accidentally installed the latest stable kernel rather than the current which broke all my restricted driver stuff and modules, etc.) I’m also grabbing a copy of the Alpha 6 release of Hardy Heron based on some reports that this may be more stable for testing.

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Sorry for the delay in posting everyone, I’ve been taking care of my wife and little girl who both came down with the flu. Then I got a little bit of it myself on Saturday, but I’m getting better now!

Today I did my first custom kernel for my Dell 6400. Keep in mind I’m not a bit kernel customizer so I may need to do this a few times to get it right, but I will get it right. The primary purpose of this is to fix the SLUB issue that is causing Hibernate and Suspend to fail. I also want to do a custom kernel with each new release to make the boot process a little “lighter”.

The deb file is almost complete from the compiling with SLAB used and this should fix all the power issues. Once I’ve tested it on my system, if it works, I’ll make it available for download.

Also, if anyone wants to take the time to determine the exact hardware on the Dell 6400 I’d love you to post it in a comment. This will be very helpful in creating the custom kernel and trimming out all the unnecessary stuff.

Thanks!

John Westbrook
www.MyLittleUbuntuGuide.com

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