Give Ubuntu another chance

Posted by: Don Phillips on 02 January 2010

Hi guys,
I read through again the previous thread on Ubuntu (a free Linux based operating and software system) which is now closed and views seemed divided between those who wanted to give it a go and those who want to chuck it.

My plea is... give it a go. You have nothing to lose.

It started for me a few weeks ago when I set about upgrading the family computers from the dreaded Vista to Windows 7 (much better in every way).
I had intended to get the three registration family pack. Found that Microsoft had stopped doing this. Presumably too popular!
So I reluctantly bought one upgrade kit and installed it on my main PC.

I had a further read about Ubuntu, downloaded the disk and gave it a good airing on my wife's old laptop. Looked good. Within the hour I had it installed and was acquainted with all the supplied software, including equivalents of Office, Outlook, Photoshop, iTunes, &c. I am not a computer expert but it was simple.

Since then I have it on my laptop. And most recently I have partitioned my hard drive on my main PC, and can choose to boot between Windows 7 and Ubuntu. Could not be simpler. (I am not in their pay - it is, err, free software!).

This morning I installed their audio recorder/editor, Audacity. Was able to record a track from the rerun of Sound of the Sixties which had always elluded me into Flac format, within minutes.

I stress, I am not a computer guru, and have no formal training in computers.

So what is wrong with Ubuntu? It looks nice, is quick, is versatile, you don't need to have Antivirus software. And it does not hold up proceedings, threatening to reboot every five minutes to download yet another fix.

So if you have a spare or an old computer stick it on, get used to it. You need never spend any more money on software.

Happy new year

don, snowy downtown York
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by BigH47
OK right or wrong I've wiped the MS out.

We have 2 other machines iMAC and Sally's school lap top (vista)., so I'm not too worried.
I,m using it now, so wireless is working, I'll just run the updates and then see what I need in the way of extras.

Thanks for the help, I will probably be back.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by Don Phillips
Well done BigH47!
I am still finding my installation of Ubuntu fast, fun and trouble free. I like the way it updates all programmes periodically at the click of a mouse.
One thing I did learn - to be able to play commercial DVDs and the like you have to download some extra codecs that do not come with the bundle.
Try codecs
HTH
Don overcast downtown York
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by Roy T
Well done, I use a few extras available from the repositories.


  • Codec and things for dvds - Ubuntu-restricted-extras
  • Dvd, cd, music player - vlc
  • Encryption with Thunderbird mail client - Enigmail
  • Chess - crafty


I also use these from their sites.


I make use of a few other bits from time to time but then so will you.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by BigH47
I've tried some music OK. The High rate MP4 on the CD stuttered, the Low rate MP4 worked OK.

A music DVD did not work, something about not having permission.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by Roy T
DRM and restricted codecs are a problem, have you followed Don's advice or mine about loading Ubuntu restricted Extras? If so and you still have problems then why not post a question and do a bit of reading over at Multimedia & Video or even General Help. The question of supplying code to crack vendor supplied encryption is worthy of debate as Ubuntu tends to rely upon open code but means to read DRM or MS formatted material do exist.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by BigH47
Don that link for codecs clashes with something already loaded.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by Peter Dinh
BigH47: Are you comfortable with the command line shell? If you are then I will show how to fix the DVD playback in a few steps.

If not then do the followings:

o Go to System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager

o Enter your admin password

o From the Synaptic Package Manager window, there is a Quick Search box, enter the following key word "libdvdcss" (without the double quote of course), press return.

o Select ubuntu-restricted-extras

o Click the Apply button to install it

o After it is done, select libdvdread4 to install it

o Click Apply to install it

That is it.

BTW, I assume that you use Ubuntu 9.10 and have VLC installed?
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by BigH47
Peter, those packages are already loaded.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by Peter Dinh
And you are still having problem?

Please open a terminal window and execute the followings:

o sudo apt-get install libdvdread4

o sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

If you are then still having problems then cut & paste and post the error messages. It is easier to diagnose what issues are by looking at the error messages.
Posted on: 13 January 2010 by BigH47
OK Peter I'm having a break now. I'll do that tomorrow.
Thanks.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Roy T
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
I've tried some music OK. The High rate MP4 on the CD stuttered, the Low rate MP4 worked OK.

A music DVD did not work, something about not having permission.


If your XP machine is not quite bleeding edge in terms of hardware, cpu or ram then high rate MP4 may well stutter.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Peter Dinh
quote:
Originally posted by Roy T:
If your XP machine is not quite bleeding edge in terms of hardware, cpu or ram then high rate MP4 may well stutter.


I do not entirely agree with this statement if BigH47's machine works fine with XP. In this case, the choppy MP4 audio issue could be related to some proprietary sound card driver, or it could require some tweaking on the Ubuntu pulseaudio configuration, etc. Everything can be potentially fixable in this case but the trouble is it requires some Linux skills to go down to some low-level details, and it requires you to know how to use command lines in a terminal.

How about simply rebooting and see if it can be improved.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by BigH47
Hi guys, not a very good day today, internet keeps dying video problems and some sound issues. Tried to get an old scanner working and that was a spectacular failure too. Can't see my downstairs printer via bluetooth, but to be fair possibly couldn't via XP either.

I can't remember that well but there were some sound issues when running XP, it seemed to be when several programmes were running though.

I've given up for a couple of days. I'll post the spec of the PC. Would this be better moved to e-mail? I'm not sure anyone else would be interested.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Roy T
A far better idea would be to transfer this to the Ubuntu forums where many more can contribute time and experience to solving your problem. You can then post links to your request for help and those with a mind can follow progress on the Ubuntu forums.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by BigH47
Good call Roy it's every body here is used to me being an arse.
Having to reveal that to a new set of people is not something I look forward to. Smile

Thanks to you and Peter for your perseverance.

Do you recommend the Pocket Guide? Or maybe there is an Dummy's Guide to...? I'll check the library anyway.

Last question do the fundamentals change from build to build? It seems that 9.10 was quite different from previous drops, is that right?
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Lontano
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
Good call Roy it's every body here is used to me being an arse.
Having to reveal that to a new set of people is not something I look forward to. Smile


I am sure they will enjoy your outstanding wit over there.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Roy T
No, not yet but I would recommend the Absolute Beginner Talk or General Help where thousands ask for and receive help each and every day. Remember each of these
quote:
Threads: 1,263,537, Beans: 8,100,093, Members: 996,731, Active Members: 62,655
members had to post their first post just the same as you will. The forums are well moderated and make sure all feel happy and secure when using the forums.

Give it a try.

PS Purchasing a bit of Ubuntu Desktop Training might be worth considering.
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Julian H
Howard

You seem to be having the sort of problems I had many of with Ubuntu [and other Linux based OS too]. After many late nights and Sunday afternoons, extensively assisted by a Linux expert friend, I realised life is too short.

I reloaded XP from scratch, downloaded the drivers I needed and happiness returned.

Good luck, Julian
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by BigH47
Yes Julian I could see that being an option, but I don't have any XP discs, so not an option.Mind you there were plenty of things I couldn't run on XP. I could go back to SE! Eek

It is more a plaything away from being sat in front of the speakers, as good as that is.

As a great man once said "it seemed like a good idea at the time".

Thankyou Adrian, I think?
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Julian H
Hi

I originally thought it would be fun and interesting to learn about but ended up being deeply frustrated with the whole experience.

Can you not borrow a copy of XP? [Sorry, I don't have one]. IIRC, if the MoBo was once registered with XP, any other copy can be used legally to reinstall it.

Julian
Posted on: 14 January 2010 by Peter Dinh
Ubuntu can richly "reward" you if your machine is not either too old or too new. A 2-3 year old PC is probably a good candidate. Otherwise, Ubuntu would give you a hard time because it may not have appropriate drivers for your screen, sound card, DVD drive, etc.

When I say it can richly reward users in quotes because some day you will be bound to be frustrated by its limitations or bugs one way or another. It is true that Mac / Windows also have their limitations but with Ubuntu I am certain that in some cases it is not easy to get around its limitations or problems if you are not a Linux expert. I have experience with Linux kernel down to the device driver level but sometimes I had to tear my hair out, staying all night trying to fix some of its problems. Having said that, one of my Linux machines at work keeps running for 2 years without a single reboot or shutdown.

So for you BigH47, you may disagree with me but I think your best bet is to stay with XP. It is probably the best system for home users.