Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Review
Ubuntu 9.10 is the latest Ubuntu’s release that brings in myriad of fixes and new features that make it the most user-friendly Linux OS ever made. GadgetMix.com spent quite a lot of time with the Alphas, Betas and the final release and we are impressed!
Installation
NOTHING has changed as compared to the previous releases. It is exactly the same as 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope. You can burn the ISO file to a CD or install via Flash Drive (which we prefer). To install via a USB flash drive, use Unetbootin (download here).
Note: You need to format it in FAT32 to properly boot it via USB
So what is new?
Other than the plethora of under-the-hood changes, there are many more cosmetic and new apps that have made their debut into the default Ubuntu environment
First thing that I noticed was the fact that it booted up quickly; quicker than 9.04. The new login screen looks much better than any OS out there, including the latest Windows 7. Clicking on the name brings up a text field to let you enter the password.
Login Screen
Ubuntu Desktop
Ubuntu One
This is one of the new features that we liked. Ubuntu One is basically a (free) online storage based system. You can 2GB free and you can use it to store just about anything. If you need more storage, you will need to pay on an yearly basis for that.
granting access to the Ubuntu One app
Microsoft does not comes with cloud based storage app on the Windows 7. Yes, we are aware of the Live Mesh, but you won’t see any sign of it after Windows 7 installation. You have to manually download it. On the other hand, Ubuntu One is pretty well integrated into the OS and shows up as a drive :)
More Themes!
There are many new themes in the Ubuntu 9.10. I love the New Wave theme which has been shown in the screenshots above.
Ubuntu Software Center
Bulky and clunky application installer has been replaced by much more streamlined and user-friendly, “Ubuntu Software Center”. Installing an app was never so easy! Just select the category and you will get the list of apps associated to that category. Click on the app and select install. You can also remove apps in the similar way.
Screenshot of Ubuntu Software Center
Removing an app
I did not like in built music player and movie player Ubuntu bundled it with, so I replaced them with Audacious2 (music player) and VLC (movie/video player).
Audacious2 and VLC player in action
You get OpenOffice to let you work with the Microsoft office files. 2007 formats ARE supported
DOCX file opened in Open Office
GIMP is also bundled which allows you to create, modify graphic files. Photoshop’s PSD format is supported too
Internet
For Internet browsing, Firefox 3.5 has been included. You can also go for Opera which can be download from here. It is a DEB file which shall be downloaded just like any file and then be executed. It will install itself.
For email, “Evolution mail” has been included and for IM, Empathy is there which works without a problem. In previous versions of Ubuntu, Pidgin used to be included, but that has now been replaced by Empathy. You can install Pidgin from the Software center if you wish too. :)
Summary
(+) Faster bootup
(+) No need to go to terminal to get things done
(+) Empathy IM works great
(+) NO VIRUSES or trojans!
(+) Looks great
(+) Ubuntu Software Center makes installing apps a piece of a cake. Even an 80 year granny can install Ubuntu apps
(+) Cool new notification icons
(+) Free Ubuntu One cloud based storage
(+) Integration of Ubuntu One is done nicely. It appears as a normal drive
(+) New Themes
(-) We hate that built-in movie and music player. Replace them with Audacious2 and VLC and you are good to go!
You can get Ubuntu from here
Netbook users may download Ubuntu netbook remix
Related Content
Sign up to the Gadgetmix Newsletter (free) for news and reviews mailed directly to your mailbox CLICK HERE
i did not like the built in rhythmbox but totem is not bad.. just that u hav to configure it in text mode.. smplayer is also a gr8 choice for a video player.. in the new ION based netbooks u can use the nvidia VDPAU output to play 1080p videos seamlessly.. and that is something that vlc cannot give at the moment.. :D
rhythmbox is cool
[...] Gadgetmix: Summary: (+) Faster bootup (+) No need to go to terminal to get things done (+) Empathy IM works great (+) NO VIRUSES or trojans! (+) Looks great [...]
[...] Chrome Netbooks By Kamal DS on October 31, 2009 | Comments 3 [...]
[...] Have you been looking for an in-depth review of this highly anticipated netbook/notebook from SONY? How is the self-proclaimed size-zero, ultra slim notebook in terms of performance? Is its over-a-grand price worth it? Read the full review by clicking on the title! By Kamal DS on October 31, 2009 | Comments 4 [...]
[...] Have you been looking for an in-depth review of this highly anticipated netbook/notebook from SONY? How is the self-proclaimed size-zero, ultra slim notebook in terms of performance? Is its over-a-grand price worth it? Read the full review by clicking on the title! By Kamal DS on October 31, 2009 | Comments 5 [...]