Monday 31 May 2010

What to try next?

I've been a bit quiet on the "let's-try-another-distro" front lately. This is largely due to the fact that my Eee 900 died, the missus got an Eee 1005P (she used my 900 for her work stuff and had to get something) and I had to save up for my 1005HA.
And on top of all that, I got sidetracked by my new Nokia N900!

Anyway, after getting used to using Ubuntu, she wanted Linux on her new machine and the only distro that worked properly out-of-the-box was Jolicloud.
I tried OpenSuse, Mandriva and Eeebuntu 4 (all worthy distros) but just kept running into issues that I really couldn't be bothered with. This machine needed to be up and running quickly and I knew Jolicloud would work.
I installed it using the Jolicloud Express Installer which meant booting into Windows Seven, going to the Jolicloud site and folowing the instructions. So it's a dual boot system but, since the install, Windows hasn't been fired up once. Not once. Which says a lot for the Linux experience where casual users are concerned.
Adam McDaniel's involvement in developing Jolicloud's kernel has ensured a smooth ride for the 1005P, which is exactly what was needed, and after installing Wine (needed to run the MS Snapshot Viewer) the only other thing to do was to use the desktop switcher thing to lose the NBR interface. Et voila! One happy bunny!

Now, as much as I love Jolicloud, the first thing I did with my 1005HA was to install Ubuntu 10.04. Windows 7 didn't even see daylight.
For me, the latest Ubuntu works as well as I would expect it to and it does exactly what I want it to.

But all this business with stuff actually working is a bit boring and I'm finding myself wishing I had something to fiddle with (oo-er missus!).
So, Meego 1.0 is on one SD card (I'm really hoping Meego gets an unofficial release on the N900) and Igelle on another.
To be honest, I don't expect to get much mileage out of either of them, so...
Let the fiddling and frustration commence!

Monday 17 May 2010