Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon about to debut
I posted this comment yesterday at the Seattle Post Intelligencer at 10/2/07 5:29 p.m. While there I noted a poll being run by PI reporter and weblogger Todd Bishop about which new operating system would people be willing to have installed in their new computer. While this morning Ubuntu is at third place with over 26 percent, last night, with 315 votes, Microsoft's Vista placed third with 24.8 percent, Apple's OS X, Tiger, placed in second with 27.6, and in first place, with 28.3 was -- Ubuntu Linux with 28.3 percent.
Hurray for a decent operating system.
The clock is running, something Microsoft users should be familiar with by now. However in 16 days the latest version of the best operating system in the world will launch its latest free release.
Ubuntu 7.10, codenamed Gutsy Gibbon, is in the wings, and in 16 days we'll be able to order it from www.ubuntu.com. It has the usual assortment of improvements, such as improved graphic control and capability, and automatic printer configuration for any usb printer.
One of the frustrations I've had with Feisty Fawn is its inability to write to NTFS files and directories. They've worked on that, and Gutsy Gibbon will do so effortlessly. With hard drives of much larger size, NTFS makes sense as a good way to protect the larger drives.
They have improvements for their default browser, Firefox, and there is a new edition for Open Office which will download right after installation.
One other important point is that the new kernel allows the processor to use less power, and thus run cooler. With improved graphics capabilities from ATI, Intel, and nVidia, that will allow the computer to be more efficient.
Unlike all the supposed hype around Vista, I can't wait for Gutsy Gibbon, and will order it from its website the moment it becomes available. This is fun to use an operating system that works.
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I use Ubuntu on three machines, 2 are servers. It's a great product. Still some learning curve, but not bad if you don't want to delve into command line vagaries.
Linux can do some cool things, such as this product I now offer: http://www.viziframe.com
I upgraded my Vista laptop back to WinXP, since many apps would not run on Vista, I just gave up on it.
Vista, the "New Coke" of operating systems.
Posted by: Anthony Watts | October 4, 2007 12:43 AM
Thanks for the post, Ubuntu is a great O/S and everyone should at least check out the LiveCD version to see what the hype is about.
I would also add the visual effects in Gutsy are fantastic, and built-in with this version. In Feisty(7.04) you had to download Compiz and/or Beryl to configure special effects like Desktop Cube, Water, FlipSwitch and Ring Switch. With the latest version this is built in.
Another big improvement is that Broadcom wireless drivers (like Dell laptops use) are available by default. I could never get my Dell d800 to work under 7.04, but this works great in Gutsy.
Posted by: Ben Doney | October 5, 2007 03:14 PM