A Microsoft XP Geek switching to Ubuntu 7.10 Gusty Gibbon

[IRONHORSE]

The biggest problem I have with ubuntu hardy, is that it doesn't like yo stay connected to a wireless network.  It lets me connect to it, and i can start using the internet, but 10 minutes later, it cuts me off, it is like clockwork.  other than that, I love ubuntu.

I don't know whether or not I will have that problem, as I am connected via a router to DSL. But, you might want to try posting your problem on the Ubuntu forums - I hear they're large and very active and helpful.

[skiking]

The biggest problem I have with ubuntu hardy, is that it doesn't like yo stay connected to a wireless network.  It lets me connect to it, and i can start using the internet, but 10 minutes later, it cuts me off, it is like clockwork.  other than that, I love ubuntu.

I don't know whether or not I will have that problem, as I am connected via a router to DSL. But, you might want to try posting your problem on the Ubuntu forums - I hear they're large and very active and helpful.

I have tried all of the things that were recommended to me, so I have given up using ubuntu on my laptop when I am using wireless.  I am just tired of trying to fix the problem.

[FR8TRAIN]

The biggest problem I have with ubuntu hardy, is that it doesn't like yo stay connected to a wireless network.  It lets me connect to it, and i can start using the internet, but 10 minutes later, it cuts me off, it is like clockwork.  other than that, I love ubuntu.

That's interesting. I have never experienced your problem. I stay connected to my wireless connection indefinitely. I'm connected through a Linksys wireless router with Comcast using Ubuntu Hardy.

[IRONHORSE]

Update on my quest to dual boot Ubuntu and Windoze: I'm back to a halt.  While my computer was in being upgraded, my copy of Ubuntu arrived via snail mail (Of course, right?!) So after waiting a week while they made my 'puter spiffy and faster, I tried running Ubuntu from the CD-ROM. Really liked it, so decided to go ahead and install it on my second HD. The first time I installed it wrong - but FR8 smacked me around some and explained that I didn't install the dang program right. So I uninstalled my original installation and installed it the right way. BUT -- partway into the installation, the program kicks up an error about the drive either being old or not positioned where it gets cool enough. Now, Windoze isn't recognizing the drive any more. SO -- now I guess Tiger Direct's gonna get some more of my money, so I can install Ubuntu on a reliable drive.

[tomgallagher]

WOW, sounds like a lot of trouble.

[IRONHORSE]

Yes and no... I write it off to my lack of knowledge about a new OS, coupled with just plain old bad luck/ bad timing with the drive going out when it did - it was about 5 years old or so. on the upside of things, I had a bunch of my music files on that drive - which I moved before I started the install - so at least when the drive failed, I didn't lose anything

[IRONHORSE]

OK boys and girls - the plunge is impending! I've been backing up files, and getting ready. Doing the final steps to hopefully make Ubuntu my only OS. SO - either I will be back shortly on my new OS, or I will be back on the live boot from the CD, griping that I just turned my computer into a doorstop 

[IRONHORSE]

I took the plunge and... *SPLAT* Someone forgot to fill the pool! I'm in an interesting predicament - will say thank god for the usefulness of the Ubuntu live CD, or I wouldn't be able to get online at all

UPDATE: The Ubuntu forums friggin rock! about 30 minutes of waiting solved my problem and I am now booting Ubuntu from the Hard Drive - Woohoo!!!

[tomgallagher]

Congrats, I hope it was worth all that.

[herronm]

Ironhorse, you are paving the way for me.  I've been holding back on trying Ubuntu...and may wait until you post up a full review. 

[IRONHORSE]

Ironhorse, you are paving the way for me.  I've been holding back on trying Ubuntu...and may wait until you post up a full review. 

I am far from the first - Vash is already there, and so are quite a few others (Saw some more references to Ubuntu on other forums.) So is my buddy FR8TRAIN. This is my first full day of using it, so beyond saying I love it so far, I can't add much. I will say that it auto detected my graphics card, sound, keyboard, mouse, router & internet connections flawlessly, and that once I got my glitch solved, it has performed like a champ! I still have some things to figure out - but That's all part of the fun 

Side note: Ubuntu seems to prefer Nvidia graphics cards ...have seen a bunch of people with Radeon cards having trouble.

[tomgallagher]

Is that the same as Firefox.?

[IRONHORSE]

Well, Firefox is the web browser used in Ubuntu, but beyond that, it is a complete Operating System - somewhat comparable to Windows (insert version here), that can either run alongside Windows, if you wish, or be used in place of Windows - such as I am doing. It comes with a browser, calculator, dictionary, Email client, so on and so forth. Everything you need to get computing. And best of all - it is FREE - $0 - and always will be.

[IRONHORSE]

Well, unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to get World of Warcraft running in Ubuntu (that is without paying $15 a month for Cedega, which I couldn't bring myself to do) so I am back to dual booting Windows and Ubuntu.

Having recently reformatted my hard drive and done fresh installs of both programs has given me a different perspective, and has made me even more pro-Ubuntu. Windows required me to install the drivers for my on board sound and my on board high speed connection (for my DSL connection) before it would  give me any sound or connect to the internet. Ubuntu picked all those up without any additional installations on my part, and also picks up the printer that I'm wired to through a router - something Windows still can't do, and I'm guessing I'm going to have to get someone out here to get it set up so I can print through Windows.

Bottom line for me? I'll be using Windows as long as I continue to play World of Warcraft. As soon as I'm done with WoW,  I'll also be done with Windows entirely. Ubuntu is clearly the superior Operating System - runs faster, is easier on system resources, and is more secure than Windows can ever dream of being. And if you need an additional program to perform a given task using Ubuntu, you don't have to run to your local computer/hardware shop to get it - you download it and you're off and running. And best of all, besides Cedega (which I mentioned earlier) all the additional programs, just like Ubuntu, are completely free. BTW, since this thread started, Gutsy Gibbon is a past version of Ubuntu, the current version is Hardy Heron, and Intrepid Ibis is on the horizon. Ubuntu is available in 32 and 64 bit versions.