Month: February 2009

Linux Evaluation

Just recently, I came across a very interesting evaluation of Ubuntu from a Mac User’s perspective:

Two Days Without Mac OS X Leopard: Ubuntu 8.10 Review

One of the most interesting things is how a supposed Linux newbie can point out applications that I hadn’t heard of even though I have been working with Linux for quite some time.  I don’t if that is a mark against me or if there is something to be said for fresh perspectives.

I noticed the part about Quicksilver, but Gnome-Do was not mentioned until the comments.  Should Gnome-Do be installed by defaults or should the settings have something there that would install it when enabled?

The fonts was interesting, and I went through the tutorial that he mentioned.

Also, the mumbles was interesting.  I am giving that one a try too.

I have noticed issues with the sound, and it is nice to know that I am not the only one having those issues.  I thought maybe it was the hardware on my PC.

My GPS Works!

I had trouble with my DeLorme GPS a while back.  This new version of Ubuntu (or the kernel) fixes it.

I installed Ubuntu 8.10 just recently and I was able to get my GPS to work.  All I did was install gpsd with apt-get.

Here is the output from dmesg:

[39636.625066] usb 4-2: new full speed USB device using uhci_hcd and address 2
[39636.806942] usb 4-2: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
[39637.437849] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
[39637.437876] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
[39637.437912] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
[39637.437915] usbserial: USB Serial Driver core
[39637.452600] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for DeLorme Earthmate USB
[39637.452622] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for HID->COM RS232 Adapter
[39637.452637] usbserial: USB Serial support registered for Nokia CA-42 V2 Adapter
[39637.452670] cypress 4-2:1.0: DeLorme Earthmate USB converter detected
[39637.454432] usb 4-2: DeLorme Earthmate USB converter now attached to ttyUSB0
[39637.454461] usbcore: registered new interface driver cypress
[39637.454464] cypress_m8: Cypress USB to Serial Driver v1.09
[39637.486314] usbcore: registered new interface driver hiddev
[39637.487441] usbcore: registered new interface driver usbhid
[39637.488536] usbhid: v2.6:USB HID core driver

Partitioning in Ubuntu Installs

I just read a good tip about partitioning for Ubuntu.

They suggest using GParted Live to partition the hard drive first.  That sounds great!

I miss the option that Fedora has where you can delete all the Linux partitions and have it automatically create the new partitions.  I don’t remember the options for sure, but I think you can only delete all the partitions or shrink the existing partitions.  If I am reinstalling, I want it to leave my Windows partition alone and delete the Linux ones.  Another great option would be to manually pick the partitions to delete and use the freed space to automatically create the partitions.  Finally, another option that would be nice is to choose how much it shrinks the existing partitions.