26 replies to this topic

[Linoman]

I have been a user of Dapper Drake 6.06 ever since Flight CD 5 arrived on the scene. For over 2 months, I have seen how improvements have been added and bugs fixed. In the past I continued to just update my system but when Kubuntu 6.06 LTS was released I decided to rather format and install a fresh copy.

Unlike previous versions of Kubuntu the “install” and “live' cd are now on one cd. The CD loads a full Kubuntu desktop, which lets you try it out before installing it. If one chooses to install Kubuntu it is now all done graphically. This is a huge improvement over the previous text installer, installing through GUI system makes installation so much easier and to newbies it must seem like a miracle.

(Please note if you need advanced options then rather download the alternate install cd which uses the text based installer)

The installer is quick and asks a few basic questions; Systems Name; Users Name and Password; Preferred Language; Keyboard Layout. (This is not in the order that the installer asks these questions)

(Please note this screenshot is from Kubuntu's website, which demonstrates Ubiquity Desktop Installer. All other screenshots are from my system.)

 pic_1.png   47.43K   23 downloads

While the system is being installed, one can do various tasks such as listen to music with amaroK or surf the internet. This is a nice feature as counting ceiling tiles becomes boring after while. The installation took about 15 minutes on my machine. (There have been reports that doing other tasks while installing can result in a corrupted install)

After reboot, one is welcomed to the login screen

 pic_2_spalash.png   43.16K   178 downloads

The desktop and K menu

 3_4.png   308.56K   298 downloads

By default Kubuntu uses Linux Kernel 2.6.15. KDE 3.5.2 which until +- 2 days before Kubuntu 6.06 LTS was released KDE 3.5.2 was the latest version. KDE 3.5.3 is available and can be installed.

 pic_5.png   224.26K   234 downloads

The default software that is installed:

Internet: Akregator, Bluetooth chat, Konqueror, Konversation, Kopete, Kppp, krdc, Drfb, Ktorrent wireless lan manager.

Office: Open Office 2.0.2; Kontact

Graphics: Kooka, Krita, Kpdf, Gwenview

Multimedia: AmaroK, K3b, Kaffeine, KAudioCreator, Kmix, KsCD

Utilities: Ark, Karm, Katapult, Kate, KDE Group Wise Wizard, KjobViewer, Knotes, Skim, SpeedCrunch

System: Kcron, Keep, KInfocenter, KSysGuard, KSystemLog, Konsole. QTParted is only available while using the live cd. Once installed it is no longer available.

The system can be adjusted using Systems Settings

 pic_6.png   110.21K   286 downloads

Kubuntu uses Adept as its package manager. Adept can install software that the user chooses, notify the user of updates and then install them.

 pic_7.png   150.3K   234 downloads  pic_8.png   147.7K   230 downloads  pic_9.png   147.3K   169 downloads

Unfortunately Kubuntu does have a few irritations:

i) Kubuntu can not play restricted formats out of the box. This is due to licensing issues. Fortunately one can download the required codecs. For more information on how to get restricted formats working, please visit https://wiki.ubuntu....strictedFormats

ii) “By default, the root account is locked in Kubuntu. This means you cannot login as root or use su. Instead, the installer will setup sudo to allow the user that is created during install to run all administrative commands” The good news is that with a bit of tinkering one can enable the root account in Kubuntu and as a result login as root. Visit the following site for details on how to enable root https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RootSudo

iii) “The Kubuntu software repository is organised into four "components", on the basis of the level of support Kubuntu can offer them, and whether or not they comply with Ubuntu's (and Kubuntu's) Free Software Philosophy. The components are called Main (officially supported software), Restricted (supported software that is not available under a completely free license), Universe (community-maintained, i.e. not officially supported software) and Multiverse (software that is "not free").” Certain pieces of software require the other repositories to be activated. For information on how to enable them, please visit
https://wiki.ubuntu....positoriesHowto

iv) Kubuntu installs generic graphics drivers by default. To install the official drivers from you graphics cards manufacture visit https://wiki.ubuntu....naryDriverHowto

If you require more tweaks, help etc. Then visit the unofficial (K)Ubuntu guide http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper


Kubuntu 6.06 LTS is a great distribution of Linux. Yes it requires a bit of tweaking but in the long run it is well worth it. I recommend Kubuntu to anyone who wants a stable, reliable, simple to use, well supported Linux distribution that uses KDE. Then Kubuntu 6.06 LTS is for you

[BlueScreenOfDeath]

wonder if i can run this on my notebook

[Sphere]

why not? Linux isn't that high on system specs

[BlueScreenOfDeath]

well its a 500mhz AMD k6 lol

[Linoman]

If it has at least 128 MB Ram, Kubuntu should install fine. Other wise you could also opt for xubuntu

[Sphere]

Running it on a AMD K6-2 3Dnow 120 MB ram, just fine... a tad slow, but that's all

[Nvyseal]

Nice review! Thanks Lino!!

[m.oreilly]

i'm going to give it a try, just burned the .iso. thanks for the review

[Sphere]

The torrent download is pretty fast.... going at almost 2mb/s.... with an ETA of 10 minutes (at 33 %, now running for about 3 minutes )

I love my 20 mbit connection

[Dutchie]

Damn, which provider Sphere? From the university or sth?

[Sphere]

Orange Netherlands.... (previously Wanadoo) for not even 25 a month (ADSL KPN line required though)

But uni is pretty fast too, highest my uni provides is 10 Mbit

[Linoman]

What wireless network card are you using? Sounds like a module problem? Try running Kubuntu live again (off the cd) and see the same thing happens.

[VROSA]

Thanks for the review,
I will install it today at night.
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edit:
I am now downloading it, 45% done of 697 MB (x64 version)

Edited by vrosa x64, 01 August 2006 - 02:58 PM.

[m.oreilly]

good luck with that rev. i had no problems hardware wise, my only issue being how to get email set up...

[Dutchie]

If you post here your problems in English the Dutchies will help you! This is a very good community with many brainy people