Ubuntu 6.10 is the latest Linux offering from Mark Shuttleworth’s Canonical company. Though based on Debian, Ubuntu has garnered quite an adoring and sizeable following since its inception only a few years ago, and quite rightly, too; Ubuntu has software management tools and an elegant interface that rivals Windows (and perhaps even Mac OS X). It is so easy to use it almost takes the thrill and intellectual challenge out of using Linux! Dubbed Edgy Eft (what’s with the cute alliterative pet names?!), this distribution continues along with Ubuntu’s tradition of stability and ease of use.
Installation
One of the best things about Ubuntu is the concept of a Live CD that allows you to run the OS from the disc to see if it is compatible with your existing hardware. Most of the time, it will detect your device configuration smoothly (even on a discontinued Compaq laptop made in 2003!) and you’re set to go. You have the option of re-partitioning your hard drives and creating a dual-boot situation and the interface makes it all easy to carry out. You can, of course, do it the old-fashioned way using text-based screens, but it is nice to have a user-friendly option, especially if you’re new to this (ie. from the Windows or Mac world).
Software
6.10 comes with the latest versions of the most popular software: OpenOffice 2.0.4 ( the highly robust office suite), Firefox 2.0 (a sprightly web browser), and Gimp 2.2.13 (the Open Source equivalent of Photoshop). Some new apps are here, too, like the F-Spot 0.2.1 image viewer and manager that allows you to interface easily with Flickr and other photo websites.
Ubuntu 6.10 it uses the Gnome 2.16 desktop, which looks very appealing and actually runs very snappily (and seemingly faster than KDE desktop). The earthy brown color tones (I’m tempted to say Zune-like shade) are still here, along with the sublime artwork.
Almost as a way to ease Windows users into Linux, Ubuntu has an ‘Add/Remove Applications’ graphical interface for easy software package management, which is less cumbersome than command-line interfaces of old. In fact, Ubuntu has taken great pains to make it easy for users of other OSes to move to Linux, while still allowing experienced Linux users to tinker under the hood.
Verdict
If you have a slightly older machine that you’d like to put Linux on, Ubuntu 6.10 makes a great choice. It is secure, well-supported and easy enough to use that even your Grandpa who has never heard of Linux could manage quite well. For general web browsing, email, and everyday office and graphical programs, Ubuntu functions quite well. Of course, the big drawback is that it won’t run your favourite Windows programs (unless you have a fast enough machine and are willing to undergo the rather labourious process of running Windows within Linux).
More than anything, using Linux is changing from a mindset of commercialization and competition to one of scientific curiosity and community—for that alone, Ubuntu 6.10 is worth a look.
Stability: 5/5
Look and Feel: 5/5
Software: 5/5
Support: 5/5
www.ubuntu.com
