Ubuntu vs. XP (was: Re: [Hampshire] Tesco to ship Linux PCs)

john lewis wrote:
> On Mon, 29 Oct 2007 12:33:37 -0000 (GMT)
> "Vic" <lug@???> wrote:
>
>
>> IME, installation is the single biggest hurdle to Linux adoption;
>> although it's really pretty damn easy these days (certainly easier
>> than a Windows installation),
>>
>
> I agree that modern installers are pain-free, even Debian which has
> the unjustified label of being "for geeks"
>
> Etch went on my Compaq N160 in less than 15 minutes for the basic
> setup and found all the hardware. X-window went on with nothing more
> complicated than "aptitude install xorg wmaker" (plus a few other
> bits like opera & xpdf to get a system capable of browsing the net
> and accessing my datafiles)
>
> I didn't mess about with sound or printing as I won't need that for
> what this laptop is going to do.
>
> It just worked.
>
> But the point is that it would have taken a lot longer to get xp
> up and running safely if my memory of installing win2k is anything
> to go on.
>
>

Having done an XP install and an Ubuntu install in a dual-boot
configuration on a home built machine this weekend I would say that they
about the same in terms of complexity.

XP got ina bit of a state over the MS-supplied Radeon drivers in
conjunction the downloaded Realtek sound drivers, only sorting itself
out once the temporary Radeon card was replaced with the intended nVidia
7600. Ubuntu struggled with the fact that there was an IDE drive
(backup) and an SATA drive (install drive) when it came to writing the
MBR, and only played nice when I had disabled the IDE drive in the BIOS.
The live cd install was silent, whereas the alternative cd showed it up
and allowed me to correct it (I tried going in with Knoppix to do it
manually but hit all sorts of issues with the display and it was easier
to reinstall).

I'd say that Ubuntu was marginally quicker, but that there wasn't a
great deal in it.

In terms of the 'Internet test' Ubuntu failed on account of it not
asking for nameservers during the install and me having to efit them in
manually afterwards. Nor did it offer to configure the Linksys WMP54G
PCI wifi card, which worked once I had supplied the security info
post-install.

I would have to agree with John's comments about Debian by the way - no
longer does it deserve the reputation of being difficult to install. I
put it on the Slug and also built a virtual machine with it recently and
it is very straightforward compared to the days of old. The only thing I
would say is that the business of which CD to use and how many are
needed might confuse someone not familiar with the different
installation options.

The Ubuntu component of the install mentioned above is designed to
semi-replace an XP-only machine used by my boys. Now they are encouraged
to use Ubuntu for day-to-day tasks and only resort to XP only for their
games. My daughter has been using Ubuntu now for several months and
loves it.

I am also just about to build out a machine with the leftovers for a
friend and will endeavour to go the same dual-boot route with him too,
although to be honest I suspect that he is likely to protest!

My wife is moaning about the length of time it takes her XP Dell i1300
to boot, so that is next inline for an Ubuntu rebuild, which will mean
that we are an MS-free household for all but gaming!

Speaking of gaming: anyone played the Crysis demo yet? Rather nice I
must say, and one for the wish-list!

Sean