Ubuntu Live CD
My initial goal was to just preview the Live CD and write an article about the distribution from the Live CD. Well..I had too many problems.

First Impressions:
Simplicity...yep this is a distribution that is built to eliminate the confusing and put you in the drivers seat for what you need. The focus is on the requirements to function effectively.

What I liked:
This distribution will get a lot of comparison with Fedora because it uses Gnome 2.8. However, a quick look at the Live CD and you will realize that the setup is different..makes more sense. For the new user, thousands of options on the menu is well...confusing. After all How many programs does the average user really need:
Web Browser
Office Suite
Calculator
Games
So all the system programs and utilities may be confusing. That is where Ubuntu really shines, it seems eaiser to find stuff because it limits the options. It seems to try to help the user find desktop essentials quickly.

Here is an interesting test for you to take: Get a Knoppix 3.7 CD and a Ubuntu CD spend an hour on each one. These two live cds are built on different ends of the spectrum. Knoppix offers a menu that is filled with options, most which you will never use, but Ubuntu limits your choices to what you need.

What I did not like:
The Live CD choked every time I setup networking. 5 times on a desktop Pentium 4, once I initiallized the network I could not open any programs, not even a terminal. Now if I moved to a virtual console using Alt-F1 I could log in and make manual configurations...but this is certainly not the purpose of the distribution which is trying to make it easier for users. Let me say that using a virtual console I could setup up the whole system and it worked, but the real purpose of a Live CD is to use the graphical interface.

No firewall...good thing the network did not work.

Summary:
The Live CD allows you to get a feel for the simplicity of the operating system and the direction the creators are going....but that is all, the Live CD is not functional in terms of ease of use in setting up a network and using the CD.
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Install CD of Ubuntu
The actual installation was smooth, easy and provided an excellent desktop for a user who is new to Linux. Someone who wanted only basic options.

What I liked:
Simplicity - I work with complicated systems and management all day, and most nights, it was very refreshing to find a distribution that has a focus on simplicity. Give the user what they need, no more unless they want to add that themselves. Good idea!

Click on Image to see Simplicity

There is no clutter and unnecessary icons on the dekstop. A modified Gnome 2.8 desktop provides toolbars at the top and bottom of the page.



The panel provides system configuration and applications using the Applications Option and personal preferences using the Computer Option. Well thought out and intuitive. The whole system seems designed to aid in the transition from Windows to Linux.

Easy Install - Ok a distribution has to be easy for the user to install and one CD is about as easy as it gets. The steps of installation are quick effective and to the point. Again, it is nice to have options of thousands of programs but really 1 CD can contain everything you need. The install will allow you to setup your network with a static IP during the install just like any other system. Yes the network setup worked fine in the install!

I loaded the distro on a Pentium 4 desktop and a Dell Latitude laptop and they both loaded with no problems. Detection of the laptop screen was flawless. Power Saving features worked with no problems.

USB Detection - When I shoved in a Thumb Disk...nothing. Well, I had to modify the fstab file to try to get it to work, no luck. So...I tried a different Thumb Drive...suddenly autodetection. My conclusion is that some of the cheap, USB1 drives will not work without some configuration changes, but the better USB2 drives will autodetect.

Network Tools - Gnome now offers a handy tool to use for networks. It is actually 8 tools in one interface. The tools are Devices,Ping, Netstat,Traceroute, Port Scan, Lookup, Finger and Whois. These are certainly handy tools and they are easy to use in this graphical interface.

OpenOffice - OpernOffice is the choice for the office suite and is a great selection. You will want to update to version 1.1.4 instead of the default 1.1.2.

What I did not Like:
My biggest complaint by far...no functional firewall exists on the system. I went to the website and found that the concept of the designers is that since you are not using a daemon by default so you do not need a firewall. PLEEEASE...don;t let our Linux future put at risk security and force us all to return the constant hacks and fixes we all hated in Windows. Security is important and the system does need a simple to install firewall. Now I noticed in the Help files as I was searching for a firewall setup, there is the How To to set up a firewall using Packet Filtering. Have you ever read this document...it certainly is great information but not for a new user...which the distribution is focusing on. To be fair I will say this..putting together a new distribution that is perfect is impossible, leaving out a firewall is a mistake but you certainly can add one.

Here is a quick way to setup a firewall with apt-get.
How to Set Up a Firewall

Multimedia Limitations - By default you will find limited resources for multimedia. However, Gimp, CD Player, Music Player, Sound Juicer, Sound Recorder and Totem Movie Player are loaded. Most users will find themselves searching for new options in this area.

Documentation:
The online wiki at the website is limited in scope because of the rapid growth and interest in Ubuntu and it's youth of the distribution. The documentation is growing but you will probably have to look elsewhere for help on most problems.

Summary:
If you are looking for a simple distribution, you are a new user with modest requirements and you will make sure you load a simple firewall...take a look at Ubuntu. For a home user that needs basics it is a good choice.