Installed Ubuntu in a VM - seems, empty...

[Red Squirrel]

Hard to explain, but it just does not seem to give me the "wow" factor that seems to be marketed. First off, it did not even prompt me to choose what I actually want to install with it, it just installed, and that's it. So like in Fedora for example, there's one package called "Virtualization" when you enable it, it gives you vmware tools like functionality. Stuff like that.

Also, where's all the fancy desktop stuff like semi transparent windows, the cube window switching interface and all that? I don't see that anywhere. Not a big deal but thought it would be cool to play around with.

It's ok I guess, but it's just like any other basic linux distro, I don't see anything that special. I don't even think open office is installed, though those are all things I can go and install myself. Anything I'm missing or have to do? I just don't see anything that I've seen in screenshots online, not even close.

I'm using Gnome (or whatever is default, but think it's gnome) should I be using KDE for all the extra stuff?

Also is there a way to stop the annoying system speaker sounds when using terminal? If ever I switch from XP all that beeping would drive me up the wall. I do lot of work through terminals.

 

[Crusty]

Everything you need to do can be found in the menus really, the terminal beep is easy to turn off and to enable all of the compiz effects you need to make sure you have hardware 3d support and then go into Appearances and enable advanced features. If you want to customize it further then that, you'll have to install a separate configuration tool.

I like the Ubuntu install because it's no fuss, just like Debian

If you install the server version it'll prompt what kind of server packages you want. The alternate installer for the Desktop version will do the same thing.

Although it's probably really easy to install KDE there's a specific version of Ubuntu called Kubuntu that comes with KDE isntead of Gnome by default.

 

[Nothinman]

First off, it did not even prompt me to choose what I actually want to install with it, it just installed, and that's it.

That's part of the point. It's installs a well-known, default set of packages. If you want to choose what's installed you need to use the alternate install CD.

It's ok I guess, but it's just like any other basic linux distro, I don't see anything that special.

I've been saying that for some time now. It's a very simple install with a decent set of default packages and some of the integration goes farther than other distros but that's about it. I'd much rather use Debian, myself.

 

[sciencewhiz]

The VM probably doesn't emulate an OpenGL video card, which is why you don't get the visualization effects.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Actually that's what's happening I just found the option.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Been playing more with it, damn, I'm getting more and more impressed. In VM it's really not as good since lot of stuff wont work properly due to lack of graphics acceleration. I installed vmware tools but wont work.

But I was bored at work today and ran the live cd for a few hours, mostly playing with visual effects. I can't believe how snappy it is, even with the effects. This is a typical office Dell pc. So like, your bottom of the line video card, and a P4 HT processor and minimum ram (1 gig I think). A half decent machine but nothing fancy compared to what most have at home. I'm currently checking that all the programs I know either have a linux version, or can easily be replaced, and for what I spend 80% of my time doing it will be fairly easy to get going.

For the more specialized stuff like video editing I did not look at yet, but I'm not TOO concerned with it, as worse comes to worse I can boot to Windows, but I did quick research and there is some decent editing apps for Linux, the question is just how easy they are to install/use, and are they reliable.

I'll be installing VMware and build a windows production vm anyway for UO so I can always throw in video editing too. VMware can capture video so that may actually be cool for when I want to capture UO gameplay (I make lot of promo youtube vids).

Overall, after giving it more time, I'm very impressed.

 

[drebo]

Just don't ever try to use it with a Radeon HD 2000 series card. You'll tear your hair out trying to get 3d acceleration to work without completely breaking the x-windows configuration. It likes to do fun things like make your login window appear at 2560x2048 resolutions, even when you've only got a 17" LCD or smaller. The best part? None of the configuration settings in xorg.conf do a damn thing to change it. <sarcasm>I just love how easy to use Linux is.</sarcasm>

 

[LOUISSSSS]

how do u get internet working on ur ubuntu? are you using a wired or wireless connection?

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
how do u get internet working on ur ubuntu? are you using a wired or wireless connection?

Since he's running a VM he'll be using a wired NIC driver(but virtual), NOT a wireless one.

 

[Red Squirrel]

In the vm was using wired, but if I actually install on my main machine it will be wired as well. I heard wireless is a hair puller in Linux so I won't even attempt it. The wired on the other hand works out of the box.

 

[heymrdj]

The newest Ubuntu supports most wireless chipsets out of the box without fuss. The newest release even supported my laptops Intel 4965abgn chip, which had been a wireless debackle and boggle of souls for awhile .

 

[xSauronx]

wireless works well depending on the chipset. ive used ubuntu with to intel adapters and it never had a problem.

 

[lxskllr]

I've had big issues getting wireless to work in Linux. The biggest reason I got a Eee900 was so I could run Linux under guaranteed compatible hardware. Wireless may or may not work for you, you're only out a little time if it doesn't.

Compiz is a pretty sweet package. I run most of the effects on my Eee, and don't really get a terrible performance hit... I'm quite impressed :^)

 

[LOUISSSSS]

how did u change your resolution on the Virtual Ubuntu? i can't get past 800x600... help me out please

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
how did u change your resolution on the Virtual Ubuntu? i can't get past 800x600... help me out please

Have you installed VMWare Tools yet inside of Ubuntu?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

nope.. what is that?

 

[NoShangriLa]

Go with Debian or Gentoo if you want to chose, other than that....there are no WOW factor in Linux unlike Mac or Windows PR.

Remember OSes are just plain old tool boxes. It purposes is to store the tools that you need, not the bling blings that you want.

 

[Nothinman]

nope.. what is that?

The drivers and extras from VMware.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
how did u change your resolution on the Virtual Ubuntu? i can't get past 800x600... help me out please

Have you installed VMWare Tools yet inside of Ubuntu?

Yeah I did, but nothing happened. There appears to be a service running, but it's not doing anything. I can't move my mouse outside the vm, or drag files into it, like in Windows.

I ended up installing it as dual boot though, and got the effects to work, but lot of other issues I did not get around to troubleshooting further, such as firefox being botched somehow while I tried to figure out dual screen which ended up working after. I think there's a lock file i have to delete somewhere, did not look into it further yet.

Looking good though, it's just a pain that simple things are more complicated in Linux, such as setting dual monitors. I did not install the components to get the cube and stuff yet but I'm sure it will run fine on my video card considering it ran like a charm at work on an office grade dell desktop (live CD).

Once I do get setup my main issue will be to ensure I can safely store all my setup files on my network, I'm debating on if I should mirror the repositories or just hand pick whatever packages it downloads when I do apt-get. I just like having all my installers offline in case they get pulled off the internet, and it's faster to reinstall. If I do switch I'm sure I'll find myself reinstalling often the first few times as I screw stuff up by accident.