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For Ubuntu users

post #1 of 20
8/7/10 at 8:26pm
Thread Starter 

Man, most of the time that I use my Toshiba netbook it is with Ubuntu. This operating system is supposed to be for beginners and Linux noobs, but it is hard to setup on my particular PC. I just got done fixing Plymouth to display my preferred Ubuntu boot up and shut down splash screens since I have kubuntu-kde installed as well. I also had to uninstall and remove the omnibook-source package and module from my system only to have to rebuild it from scratch again since I upgraded my Linux kernel.

 

It seems that once you fix a problem the solution is temporary and fleeting. My Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR is running kind of flaky ever since I did a clean installation of 10.04 Lucid Lynx x86 edition. The 802.1x B/G Wi-Fi also has a problem of not getting a signal lock with different vendor routers and wireless access points. Yes, I know that they operate on the same 2.4 GHz frequency spectra so there is a risk of interoperability problems. I am preparing myself for the CompTIA Security+ test.

 

The other problem that I have is with Opera 10.60 as I detailed in my other thread. It keeps crashing on me and I have to wait for the Opera development team to rectify the crashing issue which I have sent multiple crash reports to them.

 

Now, I have no audio through my speakers when I play YouTube videos. It was working beforehand when I applied the specific fix that I found on Ubuntuforums.Org, but it stopped working again. I have to figure out what is going wrong.

 

I am getting sick and tired of using GNU/Linux. Half of my time is spent troubleshooting and searching for possible fixes scattered all over the Internet. Hardware compatibility is limited with Ubuntu in my opinion based upon my experiences thus far.

 

I need to buy a new laptop for NJIT and I decided upon the Lenovo Ideapad Y560D-06462KU. I am not going to install any distribution of Linux on that machine. My very good friend may give me a private loan to finance my purchase.

 

Also, I find the System76 laptops to be grossly overpriced compared to similarly priced Windows Intel laptops. My other concern is that this boutique vendor of Ubuntu certified PCs may not survive these very tough economic conditions and just fold due to financial insolvency.

 

Has anyone here given up on Linux and just migrated back to Windows? I really need to know if it is not just me. Thanks.

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post #2 of 20
8/7/10 at 9:15pm

Not entirely, even though its always trial and error on Linux its still the best free OS that has proven well, well except on some distro, i always use Ubuntu since it works most on my laptops/ netbook out of the box and if i get bored i try different flavor and new releases that comes out to give it a try.

 

I use Open Suse on my desktop and Win7 64 on another desktop which i use for Gaming and 2 of my netbook is running on Cent OS / Linux Mint while the other i tried Jolicloud for a change so as you can see tried and play with different flavor just for fun but i never get tired from it, i haven't added Open Solaris i use in the office. which is quite a fresh of breath air for me 

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post #3 of 20
8/7/10 at 10:05pm

Windows Vista was the reason I ended up going to Ubuntu. Of course both had their problems but Vista was too slow and Ubuntu played well with my netbook so I made the leap. When I used Ubuntu, there were several little problems that I had to scour the forums to fix. I had one issue maybe every two months or so and never anything major. All in all, I really liked Ubuntu and all its features. I feel it did a better job than Vista and possibly XP (and remarkably better on bootup/shutdown times), however, when 7 came out I switched back. So I guess the answer is no you're not the only one. I still miss the multiple desktop function a lot among others. I still do play with a bunch of different Linux variants but nothing has really caught my attention enough to make it my primary boot.

 

My desktop is currently running Windows 7 while my netbook runs 7, XP, and Ubuntu.


Edited by NapalmK - 8/7/10 at 10:08pm
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post #4 of 20
8/7/10 at 10:47pm

Linux has a way of breaking in unexpected places. I just finished installing Xubuntu on a PIII 600MHz Compaq whose CPU I can't upgrade to the 1.13GHz one on the shelf because they decided to save $0.50 and solder the CPU directly to the motherboard. There's plenty of room for a socket. Such is the theme with Comcrap, but anyhow...

 

Somehow XFCE seemingly randomly broke such that it would kick me back to the login screen and NOT log anything related to the problem. Being lazy I installed lubuntu-desktop and got the wireless to work with the help of a shiny NDISwrapper GUI. A HUGE improvement over when I had to compile NDISwrapper from source, add WPA supplicant to the kernel source and then compile THAT, only to end up in dependency hell, which, after resolution, some asinine detail would prevent it from working at all.

 

Linux is still evolving. There are some rough edges here and there but things are getting much easier than they used to be just a few years ago. I used to run Debian testing but regular updates would break things like X or even prevent the machine from booting. I could always fix it but it got to the point of being a hassle. I now would consider running Linux under these situations and not much else:

 

C/C++ programming environment

Low hardware spec

Web server

OpenVPN server

 

I'm happy with Windows 7. It's fast, rock solid stable, and just works. Now that the mystery of Linux is long gone to me I'd rather run something that I can depend on- something that works for ME, not the other way around.

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post #5 of 20
8/8/10 at 3:06am

I run Ubuntu as my main OS ever since 7 broke and I couldn't be assed installing it again. I've never looked back. All the issues I've had are easily fixed with a bit of Google/trial and error and to be honest I quite enjoy having something to fix. Gives me something to do. 

 

At least when something goes wrong in Ubuntu the fix is generally simple. In Windows you always have to jump through hoops to get to where you want.

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post #6 of 20
8/8/10 at 4:17am
Thread Starter 

See, that's the problem: when I have to fix another recurring problem with Ubuntu, I have to search all over the Internet for possible fixes and apply the right one in my best judgment. I have limited experience with working with Windows 7, but it is so much easier to install, configure, and use on a daily basis especially for usage for production environments such as NJIT.

 

Tonight, I will go see my very good friend and I hope he will give me a private loan so that I can make my purchases for a new laptop, laptop lock, and Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Anytime Upgrade along with MozyHome Unlimited and Norton 360.

 

If I gives me the loan, then I will not install Ubuntu on my new laptop and I am certain it is not 100% compatible. Windows 7 has the stability and security of GNU/Linux in my experience plus it is much easier to use.

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post #7 of 20
8/8/10 at 6:31pm

Check to see if your Uni gives software discounts. Mine gives away 7 Pro, Server 2k8 r2, Exchange, etc. for free via MSDNAA, 7 Ultimate for $9 (for engineers), Office for a similar amount. 

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post #8 of 20
8/9/10 at 6:36am
Thread Starter 

I met with my very good friend last night at Starbucks. He will help me by giving me a private loan this week (Tuesday or Wednesday). Now, I will have the liquid funds to afford the costs of purchasing a new laptop and used textbooks at NJIT this fall 2010 semester.

 

I will check out the MSDNAA by sending an e-mail to the appropriate department.

 

The software titles that NJIT gives to its students is very generous. I would like to get Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit edition if it is available for students. We will get Office 2007 Professional and Office 2010 Professional is coming soon to NJIT.

 

My Ubuntu days are numbered. I had to fix my Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and 802.11 B/G Wi-Fi connectivity problems again. Then, I had to fix the Macromedia Flash sound issues. I have no idea if I will have to continue fixing these same problems when a new kernel upgrade is available, but it is getting tiring.

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post #9 of 20
8/9/10 at 6:45am
Thread Starter 

 

http://ist.njit.edu/support/windows7/faq.php#3

 

NJIT only makes Windows 7 Professional x86/x64 available to faculty, staff, and students. They do not offer Windows 7 Ultimate x86/x64 for faculty, staff, and students. I will have to do the Anytime Upgrade to Ultimate x64 bit edition on my own dime. Hopefully, the cost of upgrading from Windows 7 Professional x64 to Ultimate x64 will be minimal.

 

NJIT strongly recommends that I do a clean installation of Windows 7 Professional and that they only support computers with such installations. However, I am not buying an authorized Dell Latitude laptop because they are overpriced so I am responsible for installing, configuring, and supporting my laptop on my own.

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post #10 of 20
8/9/10 at 7:43am

Is there any reason you need Ultimate? Over pro, it adds Bitlocker and full multi-language support. Pro already has Media Center, XP mode, network backup, etc.

 

Bitlocker is nice though. My laptop is using TPM based Bitlocker full drive encryption and fingerprint boot, BIOS and hard disk locks. The only way to circumvent this would be to reboot the machine to a CD or flash drive after waking it from standby but I have the power options disabled on the lock screen. I do this not because there's anything particularly sensitive on my laptop but because a thief would be in the possession of a brick. The idea is that they would hopefully realize this and consult the trackitback sticker on the bottom. The cheapest way to clear the password is to replace the entire motherboard- only a few experts in the world are reported to have the capability to reset a Thinkpad boot password. Lenovo themselves can't/won't.

 

Edit: Hope you snagged the $20 Norton 360 on Newegg this morning!

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post #11 of 20
8/9/10 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 

Damn it!

 

I am interested in Windows 7 Ultimate x64 for the Bitlocker to Go feature along with the other features.

 

I paid $30.95 USD for Norton 360 off of a private seller on Amazon.

 

I also bought the Kensington Microsaver Micro DS notebook lock.

 

There is a Hewlett Packard DV6-3050US notebook PC with a fingerprint reader available on B&H Photo-Video-Pro-Audio store online:

 

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/703128-REG/HP_Hewlett_Packard_WQ687UA_ABA_Pavilion_dv6_3050us_Entertainment_15_6_.html

 

 

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/store_access.do?template_type=product_detail&product_code=WQ687UA%23ABA&jumpid=oc_R1002_USENC-001_HP%20Pavilion%20dv6-3050us%20Entertainment%20Notebook%20PC&lang=en&cc=us

 

If a notebook PC has a fingerprint reader, then does it necessarily mean that it has TPM version 1.2 revision 103?

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trusted_platform_module

 

I do want the BitLocker to Go feature and I realize that the PC has to have the TPM on the motherboard for it to work properly. I wonder if 

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post #12 of 20
8/9/10 at 12:12pm

From the datasheet for the Intel 5 series chipsets, Intel indicates that the entire line has an integrated TPM conforming to "TPM Specification 1.02, Level 2 Revision 103". Whether or not Lenovo enabled this in the Ideapad line I don't know- the TABOOK for the Thinkpad line indicates the presence of TPM functionality but there is no mention of it in the IPBOOK for the Ideapads. The Y560 still has "Power-on password, hard disk password, supervisor password" capabilities though.

 

In all probability that HP should have a working TPM but I can't say so with complete certainty. I'd contact both Lenovo and HP regarding this issue.

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post #13 of 20
8/9/10 at 12:50pm
Thread Starter 

I did contact the sales department at Hewlett Packard to ask if a TPM chip is installed on the motherboard for the DV6-3050US notebook PC and they said that they do not have that information available.

 

I am studying for the CompTIA Security+ exam and I realize the huge difference between software versus hardware based cryptologic systems and algorithms. Suffice it to say, I think that the HP software application to manage the biometric fingerprint reader function is strong enough to provide for two factor authentication for my purposes. The data that I will be storing and utilizing is valuable to me as a NJIT graduate student, but it is not state secrets that will effect US national security (not yet). I think it is good enough and I do have access to other cryptologic algorithms should I choose to encrypt portions of the data that I want to protect. I have an Ironkey USB thumb drive that has hardware based AES 256 bit symmetric key encryption and I just subscribed to MozyHome Unlimited which features 448 bit Blowfish cryptologic algorithm. I also have a portable 60 GB USB 2 powered external hard drive with a biometric fingerprint reader featuring NIST 128 bit encryption. So, I have quite an array of diversity in defense mechanisms to secure my data. Besides, I just plan on encrypting the NJIT software image bundle because it is mostly comprised of licensed software applications and utilities that I am responsible for protecting against unauthorized installation by another person who is not a member of NJIT.

 

I think that I will be very successful in my MS in IT Administration & Security degree program because I have had a very long term interest in computer and network security.

 

After I pass my CompTIA Security+ exam, I will move on to CISSP. This stuff is fascinating for me.

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post #14 of 20
8/9/10 at 1:28pm
Thread Starter 

After I receive my new laptop, I am going to retire my trusty Toshiba netbook to my father. Then, my Ubuntu days will be over for good. It was an interesting learning experience, but I need software that is reliable and my experience with 9.04, 9.10, and 10.04 have had their rough patches in terms of hardware compatibility and software quality. I find that Windows software applications are easier to use and more reliable while using Windows 7 than with previous versions of Windows. Two of my friends recently purchased notebook PCs with Windows 7 Home Premium pre-installed and they have had no problems so far. Microsoft really listened to their customers after the wave of woes over Vista and they designed a solid product in Windows 7.

 

My experience with Ubuntu is that it is very hard to setup and configure, but it is easy to use. Furthermore, Ubuntu users have to interact with the operating system through the hardware incompatibility issues through modifying kernel modules or changing lines of code  through vi or gedit to make hardware devices work properly whereas Windows 7 users have a much easier time of installing the appropriate drivers to resolve technical issues. An operating system should just disappear so that its users can accomplish their goals be it surfing the Internet or making a presentation to the board of executives at an international Fortune 100 company. Ubuntu possesses these tools, but they are not of the same high quality as their Windows vendor counterparts. Moreover, using software applications within Ubuntu gives an inconsistent user experience as compared to the smooth and polished Windows software which also has a much more expansive list of titles available.

 

While I have learned a lot of lessons in installing and using Ubuntu GNU/Linux, I do not particularly embrace its philosophy. If Linux is supposed to be all about stability, security, and freedom of choices available, then the software engineers and development teams at Ubuntu have done an admirable job within their own right. However, Microsoft and the vendors that develop for the Windows platform simply do everything much better and easier. Part of me has come to the conclusion that embracing Ubuntu was simply a diversion because I had nothing else better to do with my time and I wanted to challenge myself with more difficult technical problems that needed inventive thinking to come to solutions. Nothing more or less than that is my conclusive finding thus far in my foray into the world of GNU/Linux.

 

So, I would still recommend Ubuntu to others as a free alternative to expensive Windows.

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post #15 of 20
9/11/10 at 10:45am
Thread Starter 

Now that I actually received my ASUS N61JV-X2 notebook PC, I can confirm that the TPM is incompatible with Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit Edition. I did install Ubuntu 10.04 LTS x64 bit onto a 50 GB slice on my D: and I am setup for a dual boot configuration through GRUB 2. Almost everything works right out of the box. The only thing that does not work is the suspend & hibernate feature along with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 325 M GPU which NVIDIA said in their own forums that they have no plans on releasing a driver package to enable the Optimus technology.

 

I can boot into Ubuntu in 8 - 9 seconds and shutdown in 3 - 4 seconds on my new laptop. On my previous Toshiba netbook, it took almost 18 - 19 seconds to boot up and 10 - 11 seconds to shutdown. There were more hardware incompatibility problems with the Toshiba than the ASUS and Toshiba officially supports Linux environments.

 

As much as I love Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit Edition and I think it is just as good as Ubuntu, GNU/Linux is clearly a superior operating system in my opinion. Everything is so much less tedious to manage and it is highly efficient, stable, secure, scalable, and easy to use. The unofficial support community at Ubuntu Forums are terrific and they usually produce useful information to solve problems. Though I need Windows 7 for NJIT, I usually use Ubuntu while on campus to do my coursework and when I am working at my part-time job.

 

So, I am hoping that there will be a solution for the hibernate feature and that NVIDIA will release an updated driver package that will enable the seamless Optimus technology within a Linux environment soon. Otherwise, Ubuntu 10.04 LTS works for the most part and I am going to stick with it until another stable LTS is released.

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