Ubuntu 5.10, Is Linux ready for the desktop?
Sunday, October 16th, 2005
Thus far, my conclusion stands. Ubuntu is Debian with a lot of the sharp edges rounded off. And it just gets better with each release, really. The addition of the “Add Applications” menu is quite enjoyable. While I’m personally a fan of the more traditional “apt-get install “, simply because I can write scripts around it. This new interface is far more convenient than Synaptic is. Now, I love Synaptic. But for new users, it’s intimidating. Sure, it’s easy once you use it a few times. But nobody wants to be presented with 15,000+ package, many of which do the same thing. New users want to know what to install, and have someone tell them that. This new package management interface does just that. It’s so convenient!
On top of all this, Ubuntu 5.10 finally comes with something I’ve been adding to most customer’s PCs anyways. A graphical bootsplash. No matter how much you tell someone that Linux doesn’t require console work, if they see it boot up, they get scared the first time. If you want to convert them, they have to be comfortable. The system can be as awesome as you want, if they fear it before they use it, you’ve lost already. A graphical bootsplash really helps.
The option to do OEM installations is something I know a lot of us have wanted. Everything gets configured at installation, except things like Usernames and Networking. The first time a user boots it up, it asks them to select a username, and configure their network. No more installing on-site at a client’s house!
Gnome 2.12 doesn’t really feel all that different from 2.10, honestly. Nothing about it really impressed me more than 2.10 already had. Still getting used to the menu repositioning from 2.8…
GCC 4.0.1 is a welcome addition, since I keep installing it ANYWAYS. glibc 2.3.5 is also appreciated.
Overall, I think this release marks another solid step forward for Ubuntu, and with a bit of luck (and teamwork), for the whole Debian-based community.
Conclusion: Ubuntu 5.10 is ready for the desktop. No issues installing it out-of-the-box, and the OEM install option only sweetens the deal, along with the graphical bootsplash. New users, this is a great place to start. Veterans of other distros, give it a spin. Maybe you’ll see something you like. Overall, solid release.
Rating: 8.5/10
If the additions from the Ubuntu-Hardened project were rolled into this, and Reiser4 support added to the installer… I’d be tempted to give this a higher score.
This writing was originally featured here at the Open Source Institute, and I have been told that it was featured on Red Library, Ready Response and CyberArmy. These reports have not been confirmed, and no permalinks are available at this time.