9.10 - what a shame...

[Dougal]

Here, I thought was going to be the perfect opportunity to show off a Ubuntu system that could kick some Microsoft butt... not so!! What a shame...

The graphics driver and Compiz combination let it down again for me... and I was so looking forward to showing it off. Microsoft now has a bit of a lead with their 'Snap' Apple like interface for touchscreens. I don't know if there is any headway in touchscreen apps like 'Snap' and other Apple-esque features for the Linux environement but, with such an apparent simple problem as window resize delay not having a quick fix, I feel let down. Unfortunately, I don't know about programming for such a thing else I might have a go myself. So come on guys 'n gals lets show the likes of Microsoft what we can do. I know it can be done - just look at how many Linux systems and apps are used for real complex graphics in films. Surely someone knows how to fix the resize delay, surely... please.
An otherwise great distro is wasted for me without graphics perfection.

[MikeTbob]

Give it some time,, they'll work the bugs out. I think it's best to wait at least a month when a new version comes out but that's just my opinion.

[techieMoe]

Dougal do you by chance have an Intel graphics card? I've heard there are definite issues with those in Karmic.

[Dougal]

Yep it's an Intel card but, that shouldn't matter in this day and age. We have had problems with graphics cards off and on for years now. I get the feeling that some manufacturers are more interested than some - stands to reason as they are not going to invest in technology for the minority. It is up to us to spread the word as best we can to boost the popularity of Linux in general but, Ubuntu are taking to big a chance (in my humble opinion) in releasing a distro upgrade to coincide with the release of Windeez 7 (as we pronounce it here in N.E. Scotland). 9.04 had a few bugs when it came out as well. Looks like it is commonplace nowadays to have quite a few bugs in almost any distro from any provider. I can remember the DOS days when programs seemed to just 'run'. Even Windows progs would run without any real problems but, things have gone bad with complexity and the race to be the first with the next best thing.
Aaargh... I despair sometimes. At least we have some Linux distros that are simple and do what they have been built to do without a fuss. I go back to CrunchBang... I can't help it but, it does what it says on the tin and I don't expect anything extra. If something unexpected works that maybe stretches the distro to it's limits then great, that's a bonus. It has never crashed or hung and boots and closes fast and smooth. If fancy graphics can be incorporated into a Linux version like this that behaves with all graphics cards and window managers then I believe that will be a real winner. Look out Windows and OSX, Cosmic Linux is just around the corner... maybe.

[bigtomrodney]

Hey Dougal, check what kernel you're using...there's a bug where some people are using 2.6.28 instead of 2.6.31, which has all of the fixes for Intel.

uname -r

[richtimbo]

I have noticed that with the Intel onboard video as well. There seems to be several pauses while watching online video such as HULU.com. Overall, I enjoy the new 9.10 but have already discovered some limitations with it. I was hoping to leave Microsoft products behind with this version.

[htismaqe]

All I can say, as a Xubuntu user, is that 9.10 is a GODSEND. Absolutely better than 9.04 in every way. None of my 9.04 workarounds are even needed anymore.

[penguin2]

The graphics driver and Compiz combination let it down again for me...

Hey, it's not only Intel and Intel probably is better supported anyway.

What about ATI hardware? If you have older ATI hardware, you're left in the cold. Newer, they try to support it but it's full of bugs and they are always playing catch up (both ATI and Linux).

I discovered so many issues with Karmic 9.10 and that includes both KDE and Gnome varieties. I also discovered that xorg.conf file is GONE?!? WTH?!? I was even willing to try a 'fix' for my Compiz/ATI issues by editing the file but it's gone. I keep hitting my head on the wall with this distro and for what?!?

I can only perceive Ubuntu going for a 'Microsoft-like' path. Become popular and support newer hardware and get a bunch of stubbornly loyal user base that accept anything (i.e. any changes). I thought most distros tried to cover all users including those with older hardware. But, I guess they are chasing the 'Vista' Aeroglass and Apple Mac 'fancy graphics' so it's more important than trying to support older hardware. Sorry, but I can't help but perceive things this way. I have this complaint because Ubuntu, themselves, claim to be user-friendly and a self-described specializing in desktop OS.

Constant letdowns even though I've tried to solve the issues and report bugs. It's ignored.

[D-cat]

Intel driver in 9.10 is much improved over 9.04 (many had to go back to an older driver in 9.04 to make things sort of acceptable).

AFA release date, Ubuntu is preplanned way ahead of time. The first number is the year, the second number is the month, and Ubuntu keeps a six month release cycle... Evey April and October. Microsoft knows this; they'd be the ones planning a Windows release timed to shadow Ubuntu. Brings another topic to mind, but we can't discuss religion here.

Karmic doesn't come with an xorg.conf because it's not necessary for X to do its autodetection. You can still define your own xorg.conf and X will honor it (I had to do that to get above 800x600 in my VBox VM).

[Dougal]

Hey guys my ATI Radeon HD 3450 is and AMD card and not Intel. Does this make a difference because the kernel version of my Karmic is 2.6.28 and not .31 (D-Cat?).
Also, I just booted to Crunchbang to watch the BBC iPlayer coz Crunchbang has the codecs all sussed. I have to do nothing but, enjoy the videos. In Karmic I can't even find AdobeAIRInstaller.bin to allow getlibs to install it and Adobe engine picks up my 32 bit version of Karmic as 64 bit too.
So there is a ways to go. I know that the codecs are not installed by default in Ubuntu but, in this day and age when a lot of peoples' web browsing experience is depending upon codecs for this player and that - surely it is time for the Ubuntu team to install them by default like Crunchbang. Although, I will continue to use Ubuntu to see what progress is being made across the board (with the hope that one day it will outstrip Windows for all linux users without comment) - simple versions of Linux like Crunchbang are the perfect way for me to work from day-to-day. There, that's my tuppence worth as the English say...