Ubuntu 11.04 Nearing It's "End of Life"

Well, it's that time again.  Another Operating System is nearing it's end of life.  And nope, I'm not talking about the April 2013 Doomsday for Windows XP users.  This time it is Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal".  For those are are unfamiliar with the "Natty" it was the first time user's saw the Unity Desktop.  From that day forward Canonical would either have people who loved Unity or those who didn't care at all for it.  Some of us use it and have become somewhat fond of it, but still care for the traditional look of the Gnome/Ubuntu desktop environment.

Either way, if you are still using the 11.04 release of Ubuntu it is time to upgrade.  No need to panic, as "Natty Narwhal" will continue to get it's updates and security patches until October 28th, 2012.  You can still use 11.04 past the 28th if you like.  However, you will not be able to get any updates and this leaves an open security issue that you definitely don't want.  You can use the system updater from within Ubuntu to upgrade your installation.

It is suggested for the best upgrade experience, that if you are still running Ubuntu 11.04, unless you are going to do a clean install of Ubuntu 12.04.1 it will not matter.  Just backup your files and install away.  However, if you are upgrading from 11.04 here is the path you need to take.
-First, upgrade to Ubuntu 11.10.
-Then upgrade the installation to 12.04.1.

Personally, I like to take the time to do a fresh install of my Operating Systems rather than upgrading.  It not only gives you a fresh start.  It also gives you back a lot of used storage space that you probably weren't utilizing anyways.  I mean, we all install packages and after a few uses, we move on to something else.  Then these packages are left behind taking up space.

The choice is yours, but either way.  To stay secure, you need to upgrade.

For more visit: Ubuntu.com

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Ubuntu 11.10: Installing IceWM

If you love using Ubuntu and want the latest the greatest without the bloat of Unity maybe because your computer is holder and refuses to play nice with Unity than checkout IceWM.  IceWM is an alternate desktop environment for Linux.  If you are looking for a sleek and elegant looking desktop with lots of eye candy than IceWM probably isn't for you.

Installing IceWM is pretty easy to do via the Terminal or you can use the Ubuntu Software Center to install it as well.  I will also install the 'icewm-themes' package as well during the course of this video.  Be sure to visit our YouTube Channel and subscribe so you can stay updated as to when new videos go live!

Ubuntu 11.10: Installing IceWM

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Video: Let's Install Xfce in Ubuntu 11.10

In this video we will cover how to install yet another alternate Window Manager using Ubuntu 11.10.  We will be installing Xfce.  Xfce can also be installed directly from a fresh install by using the Xubuntu release of Ubuntu 11.10.  But for those who maybe upgraded directly from a previous version of Ubuntu only to find out we were being force fed the Unity Desktop than you may not want to take the time to wipe and do a clean install of your operating system.

Why choose the Xfce desktop?  What'ts so great about it?  Well for one, it's pretty fast.  Xfce manages to cut a lot of the excess stuff out of it that you would normally find in a fresh desktop.  The menu effects and extra stuff that tends to use a little more resources is gone.  This is especially nice when you want to use the latest and greatest Ubuntu release, but have an older computer that maybe doesn't play as well with Unity.  The big downside for a lot of people would probably be the appearance of Xfce.  It definitely lacks the elegance and eye candy of other desktop environments.  However, what it lacks in cosmetic appearance it makes up for in speed and low resource usage.

*Note: I do recommend to make sure you have all of your files and data backed up before performing any major install or change to your system just to be on the safe side.  With that being said, we will use the Ubuntu Software Center instead of the Terminal to accomplish this install.

Installing Xfce in Ubuntu 11.10

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Video: Let's Install KDE using Ubuntu 11.10

If you have used or upgraded to the latest release of Ubuntu (being 11.10); then you are aware that aside from installing GNOME Shell 3 you are limited to only using the Unity desktop environment.  They did included Unity 2D for older machines.  But what if you aren't a big fan of Unity?  What can you do to make it less painful?

Easy!  Install a different Window Manager/Desktop Environment!  It's easy to do.  It does require a little bit of time but isn't very intrusive.  So this video will kick off a new video set where we will step through installing alternative desktop environments for Ubuntu 11.10.  After all, part of the joy of using Linux is being able to have choices right?

In our first video of this set we will install KDE.  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on when all of our new videos get posted!

Installing KDE in Ubuntu 11.10

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GNOME Classic Panel in Ubuntu 11.10

It's no big secret that I'm not the biggest fan of the Unity Desktop Environment being included in the latest Ubuntu releases.  Call me 'old school' or maybe just set in my ways.  But I like the look of what now has been dubbed the 'Classic Ubuntu' look and feel.  Naturally, after Ubuntu 11.04 was released; one of the first tasks at hand was to figure out how to ditch Unity and jump back into good, old Ubuntu as I've always known it.  It was simple, just pick the option at log in to jump into 'Ubuntu Classic'.  And all was well.

Not the case with Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot'.  Looks like with the release of 11.10, the 'Ubuntu Classic' environment was completely stripped out of Ubuntu.  So naturally, I tried to install the Classic Panel in Ubuntu 11.10.  And to be completely honest, it's terrible.  Much of the cosmetic filler that gives the panel a nice smooth appearance is missing.  The time and date is misplaced and over all it just looks bad.

For those who want to check it out for themselves, this video will walk you through installing it.  And who knows maybe it will be fixed by the time you install it for yourself (that would be great).  But as far as my tastes are concerned, until the issues with the GNOME Classic Panel are resolved (if they get resolved); I'll more than likely be using Ubuntu 11.04 in Ubuntu Classic mode for my Ubuntu fix.  It would be nice if Canonical would throw Ubuntu Classic back in for future releases.  But unless enough people complain about it, I seriously doubt they will.  Especially since Unity is the direction Ubuntu is heading anyways.  After all, isn't one of the core foundations of Linux the fact that user's have options to make changes as they need/like.  I'm not a programmer, so aside from a working solution to using GNOME without Unity than this may be a great opportunity to try out some other Linux distributions.  Time will tell.

So with the exclusion of a working 'Classic' mode from Ubuntu 11.10.  This will launch our new video series highlighting ways to install other Window Managers/Desktop Environments from within Ubuntu 11.10.  Later this week our first 'alternate' desktop will be KDE.  So tune in then!

Ubuntu Classic in Ubuntu 11.10

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Review: Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot'

This past week Canonical rolled out the latest version of Ubuntu with version 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot'.  Right off the bat, you'll notice some really nice changes to the system.  I absolutely love the new login screen.  It looks really sharp.  For fans of Unity, you'll love this release because by default (and short of using the GNOME 3 Shell) Unity is all we get as far as a desktop environment is concerned.  This time around they have stripped out the 'Ubuntu Classic' desktop completely.

Otherwise, you'll immediately notice that the Unity bar looks a little better.  We have lenses built into the Dash that allows you to download more lenses to extend the Dash's functionality (I really like this idea).  And finally, the Ubuntu Software Center has had a huge makeover and looks and functions a lot smoother than previous versions.  In my opinion, this release would probably have to be one of the most user friendly versions ever released if being approached from the standpoint of someone new to Ubuntu.  But for those of us who have used Ubuntu for years and are set in our ways, (at least for me) it isn't the easiest to get used to.  But it does look nice.

So checkout my review:



Review: Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot'

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Help!: Ubuntu Video Series- Installing Unity 2D & Switching to Ubuntu Classic in 11.04

If you have been following along with our video series on Ubuntu, than you should be ready for our latest video!  In our latest video we will cover how to download and install Unity 2D and how to switch between Unity, Unity 2D, and Ubuntu Classic.

So, why would you want/need to install Unity 2D?  Simple, by default Ubuntu 11.04 includes Unity as it's default Desktop Environment.  It requires OpenGL to be run and can slow things down somewhat (especially boot times).  Not to mention you need a machine with decent hardware specs to run it without too much trouble.  And as we all know, a lot of people turn to Linux to breath new life into older hardware.  So default Unity may not be the best choice.

For example, you install Ubuntu and one of three things will happen:
1- You will meet Unity and immediately fall in love.
2- Your machine can't run it and will be thrown into Ubuntu Classic mode.
3- You absolutely dislike it.


Let's say you fall into either the first two cases listed above.  Let's say you like to idea and look of Unity but you're computer just can't seem to pull it's weight as fast as you'd like with Unity as default.  That's when you should look into Unity 2D.  Unity 2D gives you the functionality and appearance of Unity but without OpenGL being required to run.  In other words, Unity 2D runs from Qt and cuts some of the bloat away from standard Unity.

If you happen to fall into the third scenario; where you log into Ubuntu 11.04 for the first time and aren't too thrilled with Unity.  Relax, don't freak out and start looking for other Linux distributions to use.  There is a little something here for you too.  It's really easy to switch back to Ubuntu Classic.  Ubuntu Classic is the new name for the desktop look and feel everyone has come to know and love from Ubuntu including every release prior to 11.04 (Natty Narwhal).  Personally, this is my choice.  Just because I have always like how Ubuntu looks.  And I feel that Unity may be better suited for a touchscreen situation (my personal opinion).

So, without further delay; check out our latest video on how to download and install Unity 2D and switching between desktop environments.







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Content Incoming!

Be sure to keep an eye on the blog and our Facebook page!  I have some new videos in the pipeline, and the first set I'm working on are going to cover some of the common questions (from a beginner's point of view) about using Ubuntu!

Some of the topics will inlcude covering Unity, basics of Ubuntu, how to get started with Ubuntu, basic software packages every new user should checkout after installing Ubuntu!

Remember, if you have any questions you'd like to make sure get answered during this series, feel free to drop me a line at: help_me@techie.com

I'll certainly do my best to handle the questions and cover them in an upcoming video.

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GNOME 2 Has Been Forked!

Yay!  For those of us who have been less than thrilled with Unity and it's inclusion in the latest Ubuntu release, guess what?!  GNOME 2 has been forked into 'Mate'.  Currently it is only packaged for Arch Linux.  But it is out there!

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The Future Path of Ubuntu

Another Monday is fixing to wrap itself up for the the day, and after doing some reading up over the last few weeks; there is a topic that I can't seem to shake out of my mind.  The direction of the very popular Linux distribution (and my personal fav); Ubuntu.  Ubuntu is an excellent operating system for new converts to the world of Linux and open-source software.  Canonical is obviously very progressive in their ideas (something other distro's seem to be lacking).  And for that I definitely give them props.

However; changing from the GNOME or KDE desktop environments to offer the Unity Desktop Environment, is a pretty risky jump.  I sincerely hope Canonical will make it easy to use GNOME or KDE.  It's not that I have anything against the Unity Desktop Environment; because I don't.  Personally, I think it's looking pretty sharp.  And for a netbook or a tablet, it looks to be an ideal way to navigate the OS.  But for a full fledge desktop install (yes, some people still use these beasts); I would prefer using a fuller featured desktop environment.  And from best I can tell the community of user's seem to be split on the decision.

Here is a screen shot of 10.04 running Unity:

Another change from the norm recently announced is that Ubuntu will be trying to move away from X for the windows manager, and picking up Wayland instead.  Personally, I would be more open to this change as opposed to being forced to use Unity.  However, I am also aware that it's not like Ubuntu will be rocking Wayland when Natty comes out in April either.  That change will take some time to implement.  I think we can all agree that X has it's issues and seems to be somewhat cumbersome at times.

Regardless of the changes coming to Ubuntu, it's still a wonderful system.  And once Natty hits the world, I will still recommend new user's checkout Ubuntu.  But, depending on the options given about the desktop environment; I'll either use Natty and use GNOME, stay on 10.10 for the time being, or might spread my horizons and try other Linux distributions whom I may have overlooked.

So whatever you're stance on Linux, Ubuntu, or open-source may be...It's a great time to be a geek!

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