I watched it this morning. Quite funny.
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Apple, Windows Vista

I bought a Gateway GT5628 Quad Core Desktop (refurbished) for a good deal from buy.com. The desktop’s configuration is

• Intel® Core 2 Q6600 2.4GHz Quad Core
• 3072MB RAM
• 500GB 7200 SATA II HD
• DVD ±RW 18X multi dual
• 256MB NVIDIA GeForce® 8500GT DVI VGA
• 15-in-1 card reader
• Fax/Modem
• Vista Home Premium

I had 3 desktops and a dual core laptop. I wanted to donate 2 of my old desktops (with Ubuntu derivatives installed) and I was planning to buy a laptop for a good deal, but when I saw the deal for this configuration, I jumped up and ordered it even thought desktop was not what I wanted. I may have to wait few more months to get the quad core in the laptop and few more months to get good deals on it. The only part that I had to think was, since it was factory refurbished, Gateway offered only 90 days warranty. Dell generally offers 1 year warranty on refurbished desktops. I still went ahead and bought it because if it works, it would be a decent investment for next 3-4-5 years. I selected the standard free 7-10 days shipping and as usual, I got the product in 3 days.

Due to a good configuration, the system is not terribly slow due to Windows Vista. Vista makes the system slower, but I might soon install Ubuntu. I expect Ubuntu to run noticeably faster compared to my previous desktop. I’m waiting for Ubuntu 8.04 to be released before I install it in my new machine. I moved my old desktop to my living room and connected it to my 46″ Samsung LCD HDTV. I installed Kubuntu 8.04 beta with KDE 4.2 in it. I will be using it to watch Youtube and other shows from Internet. I have to say that applications in Kubuntu (KDE for that matter) crashed quite a few times in the 2-3 days since I installed it compared to Ubuntu 8.04 beta/alpha, which I’m using for the past few weeks.

(Photo: buy.com)

Technorati Tags: Gateway GT5628, Intel, Core2 Quad, NVidia, GeForce 8500GT, Windows Vista

I normally start using the new versions of Ubuntu when it enters the last part of the alpha stage. I always did a clean install until now. I was going to upgrade when Ubuntu released the 5th alpha version of Ubuntu 8.04, but I changed my mind when I saw the list of open issues. Some of the major issues were resolved when Ubuntu released the final alpha version. I thought I would do an upgrade from Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon to Ubuntu 8.04 instead of doing a clean install of Ubuntu 8.04. I wanted to see how smooth Ubuntu upgrade goes from an end user point of view.

I started the upgrade process by starting the update manager from a terminal (using update-manager -d command). The upgrade took around 20-30 minutes. I was twice prompted during the upgrade to select either the latest version or the package maintainer’s version (I think one was for Samba. I don’t remember the other one). I selected the package maintainer’s version (though I wanted to go with the default option which was current or new version, don’t remember the exact wordings). After the upgrade was done, I rebooted the system as Ubuntu requested me.

When I rebooted the system, my laptop’s touchpad was not working, but the keyboard was working. I entered the username and password and pressed enter. The system just hung. It didn’t login. I tried 2-3 times rebooting, but it didn’t work. I then downloaded the Ubuntu 8.04 ISO image through my desktop and burnt it to a CD. I then rebooted the laptop and installed Ubuntu 8.04 alpha 6 from the CD. I formatted the boot, root and swap partitions and left the home partition untouched. I was prompted only once this time, for Samba. I selected the default option. The installation was done, rebooted my system and voilà!!! I could login and got my system back. All my preferences were left untouched, my Firefox bookmarks was there since I left the home directory untouched.

The overall experience was mixed. I’m not sure if the installation would have gone smooth if I had gone with the default option when prompted, during the upgrade. If you are not a technical person, then this upgrade snafu would raise your blood pressure since you are left with a non workable system. It would still be an issue if you want to install through the CD as I did, if you don’t have a separate partition for your home directory and you haven’t backed up your files (I did a backup before I started this experiment). I would still rate the upgrade from one version of Ubuntu to a newer version much superior than the upgrade from Window XP to Windows Vista. This might not be the case with everyone. Caution: Always back up your files before you upgrade.

Update: I forgot to write that Ubuntu 8.04 detected my wifi card without any problem, but the issue is, the light that shows if my wireless connection is on and is working, is not working. The light stays off even when my wireless is working fine. There is no problem with the light since it works when I boot into Windows and it worked fine until Hardy upgrade. I hope they fix this before the final release.

Technorati Tags: Ubuntu 8.04, Ubuntu 7.10, Gutsy Gibbon, Hardy Heron, Windows XP, Windows Vista

CNet has included Windows Vista as one of the top 10 terrible tech products. According to CNet, “Any operating system that provokes a campaign for its predecessor’s reintroduction deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Any operating system that quietly has a downgrade-to- previous-edition option introduced for PC makers deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Any operating system that takes six years of development but is instantly hated by hordes of PC professionals and enthusiasts deserves to be classed as terrible technology. Windows Vista conforms to all of the above.”

Well said CNet!!!

Technorati Tags: CNet, Windows Vista, Products, Operating System, Technology