Review: Ubuntu 8.04 BETA

01000101 · Post by **01000101** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 1:11 am

Earlier today I downloaded the beta release of the new Ubuntu x86 OS. I've always been a pretty big fan of the Ubuntu distrobution and use the 7.10 (gusty) release as my Counter-Strike: Source and SSH2 server.

Let me first say that, I was extremely displeased to have been unable to successfully run the new beta release in VirtualPC or BOCHS.

Introduced in this new release is the Gnome 2.2 interface. I honestly do not have anything to say about this 'improvement' as it looked exactly the same as whatever gnome version was previously implemented. I did notice that when performing two file transfers at once, it showed a split view of both transfers, but then again, it may have been in the previous version as well without my knowing.

Transmission (a bittorrent client + gtk interface) was a friendly sight to see as this was one of my favorite built-in programs from the Fedora 9 distrobution. I have to say, I love this program and am extremely happy to have seen it integrated into the distrobution CD.

I am also happy to announce that a firewall has finally been included in the distro. I don't care what anyone says, even if you are on a linux box, you can still get hacked and are still vulnerable to a plethora of attacks and malicious software. The firewall is extremely easy to use and does the task well.

Away from serious applications, the new desktop effects are AWESOME. =) I do miss one very cool one from the 7.04 release where the windows would act like goo and kind of ooze to where you dragged them. The 3D-Cube virtual desktop is very fun to mess with btw. =)

Well, it is late, and I am tired, so I shall wrap it up.

Looks: 8
Functionality: 9
Stability: 9
Security: 6

Overall: 8

I would deffinately recommend this distrobution to just about anyone, from the curious to the 1337.

But, just like XP->Vista, I will probably not upgrade my server until some of the release bugs get fixed.

B.E · Post by **B.E** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 6:47 am

I've been using the beta for just over a week, and am loving it. Ubuntu seems to get better and better every release.

binutils · Post by **binutils** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:46 am

LFS64, plan9 > fedora > ubuntu, arch > debian > winxp in my book :)

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Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:10 am

I haven't tryed Fedora in a long time, what's it like these days?

binutils · Post by **binutils** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 8:16 am

fedora is fedora, stable and trusted.

01000101 · Post by **01000101** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:37 am

don't forget slow.

After using Fedora 9 on the same box as the ubuntu beta, I can honestly say that there is a HUGE speed increase when using ubuntu. I don't know exactly why, but boot times and general execution times dropped dramatically in ubuntu.

I don't really LOVE the F9, but the F8 was ok.

Alboin · Post by **Alboin** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:25 am

01000101 wrote:don't forget slow.

After using Fedora 9 on the same box as the ubuntu beta, I can honestly say that there is a HUGE speed increase when using ubuntu. I don't know exactly why, but boot times and general execution times dropped dramatically in ubuntu.

I don't really LOVE the F9, but the F8 was ok.

After trying Ubuntu a few months back, coming from Gentoo, I'd have to say the same thing about Ubuntu. It was miserably slower than my Gentoo setup, and for some reason, I felt 'cramped'.

Nice package management, and easy installation, however.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:27 am

I supose there will allways be a faster linux dist, but humour me, what do you think is the fasten, most efficient, etc.?

01000101 · Post by **01000101** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:19 pm

I'd have to go with either Ubuntu 7.04 x64 or Knoppix as the fastest large distro's. As for lightweights, I'd go with either LinuxMint or Luit.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 12:28 pm

LinuxMint looks interesting, but it seems to me that it's lagging supporters and as it need to be maintained and developed on a regular basic I believe that is a problem.

Maybe I'm wrong.

White-spirit · Post by **White-spirit** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 2:24 pm

Gentoo ?

01000101 · Post by **01000101** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:33 pm

I've never used Gentoo, and you are beyond correct about Linux Mint and the lack of support. I read somewhere that it hasnt been updated in like 3-4 years. =)

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:57 pm

I've read a lot of reviews at this point, and still xubuntu seems to be the best distibution for me.

01000101 · Post by **01000101** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:22 pm

XUbuntu = Ubuntu + XFC.
I dislike the interface of xfc, not because it is underdeveloped or anything, just because it doesnt fit my taste. I perfer gnome and despise KDE.

Zacariaz · Post by **Zacariaz** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:51 pm

I follow you in the gnome vs. kde view, however, I do feel that gnome, like kde, is a total overkill for my needs, so im basicly looking for something ligthter, while still keeping a nice look and the needed functionelity. However, there is more to an OS than the desktop enviroment and it's the the real confusion starts because I simply don't know enough about linux.