Ubuntu Linux on a PowerPC G4

[deadfire59]

After seeing this, I'm thinking about getting an iBook G4 and throwing Ubuntu on it. For the simple fact is it runs fine, the laptops are now cheap and my current laptop is getting damaged as I take it everywhere.

[latinoalex5]

Wait, have you tried using the HTML5 trial on Youtube?

[thekorgboy98]

I don't think ubuntu will support airport cards.

[srpc1979]

Many things didn't work because after installing Ubuntu on any machine you have to install the "ubuntu-restricted-extras" by opening a Terminal window and, as super user, type: "sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras" (or search for them on the Software Center).Then you'll be able to play videos on Youtube or DVDs. For further info, follow me on Twitter: @sergio_rpc

[adric22]

@srpc1979 - Sorry there is no flash for PowerPC Linux. I keep getting emails and comments telling me that I just needed to install it. But it seems most people just don't understand that a G4 is not an Intel architecture and cannot run code for Intel (or AMD) machines. Flash is not open-source so there is no way for users to even compile it on there.

[haxfactory]

I'm not to hurt by the fact Linux PPC doesn't have Flash support. Flash support on PowerPC has always been crappy. My 867 Dual MDD PowerMac G4 stutters on anything higher than 360p anyway. I think I'm going to try the opensource options for fun and see what happens.

[white0fange0beast]

power PC does not support steam.....

JUST BECAUSE I FORCE QUIT STEAM AND ITUNES YOU DONT LET ME HAVE FUN NO MORE!

and who the hell is this power pc?

[leonel90898]

does it erase ur hard drive on mac

[haxfactory]

@leonel90898 You can set it up to dual boot (have both installed and choose which to boot) if you want.

[OctavioGaitan]

Yo dude. I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I'm planning on using Ubuntu on my MacBook Mid 2007. But I'm scared that the operating system may run as slow as it would on a PowerPC and my wireless wouldn't work. Does Ubuntu run differently on an Intel Mac than a PowerPC Mac?

[adric22]

@OctavioGaitan - Oh lord yes... Running Ubuntu on a MacBook would be just like running it on any other intel-based laptop (Dell, Toshiba, etc..)

[OctavioGaitan]

@adric22 Okay, thanks dude.

[OpenRemix]

Goto youtube(dot)com/html5 and youtube will work on ppc mac linux!

[A135S4656]

That looks kind of awesome. Maybe I should get a real cheap iBook G4 and then run Linux on it.

[TheJasperkitty]

I got a Mac Mini g4 1.25Ghz for $100 on eBay. I added a Chinese USB keyboard and a white unbranded Logitech usb mouse for a total of $25 on eBay. I also added a Samsung 20" monitor used on eBay for $95. I had to buy a Display port to USB plug, and I installed Ubuntu 10.10. It runs about twice as fast as OSX did and for $250 I have a nice usable Apple Linux system. Flash runs fine and my Internet connection was wired anyway so I had no issues. I love it!!

[MrChuscoso]

You can install flash... just have to search. Its a new live for you and your computer.

[mickyd110011]

i saw somewhere that yellow dog is the best for g3 and g4.

[happypenguin1234]

the most dvd's are encrypted. intall libdvdcss2. and install the w32codecs

[stephen20047]

if you go to ubuntu software center and search flash you can install the plugin

[adric22]

@stephen20047 - Good luck being that there is no open-source flash and adobe doesn't release a binary for PPC platform.

[skythra]

@adric22 no adobe doesn't, but there are open source alternatives for flash, like gnash. There is a way to install your wireless network card the airport one, you go into system -> administration -> additional drivers and then click on Broadcom B43 wireless driver, and click activate.

[joaorstm]

@adric22 There is GNASH, which is far from reliable compatibility with Adobe's Flash but may do the trick on some sites.

Of course, the real answer to this problem is web designers growing a brain and stop using Flash.

[Khal03]

This guy is crazy. Everything he said about the mac is the same for an AMD or dumbtell machine. Medibuntu is your friend. Anything a mac or pc can do for money with windows can be done with Ubuntu for Free. Unless you have to have someone take your sucker out of the wrapper for you and shove it down your throat. I hate to sound so harsh, but the reality is there is money to be made if you make Ubuntu look foolish. The opposite is not the case, since there is no Ubuntu Company. Ubuntu=Free

[03ncc2001]

One of the best PowerPC videos I have ever seen!

[bocatablanco]

if you go online with the ethernet, and you go to the restricted drivers option you can run this wifi card

[lurynowicz]

I have heard the background music somewhere. Could you tell me what is this?

[adric22]

@lurynowicz - I always list the music in the end-credits.

[MegaYupers]

mintppc

youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nDU_­SwLBSUw&vq=hd720

[frankiefury]

Hi adric! First of all; I really appreciate your videos. They're very informative and it's good to share the wealth!

Can I ask you, have you tried installing Linux with manually specifying the partitions?

Currently, I am looking to add Ubuntu 10.10 to my existing Mac OS X on a G4 15" and I'm at the point of being able to install from the Live CD. But I'm dreading touching the HD. Fear of the unkown, no doubt.

I'd appreciate any feedback whatsoever :-)

frankiefury

[Chintendoeddman]

nice video

[goochbuntu]

did you know if you went to ubuntu software center and go to ubuntu restricted it will let you get flash to work and it runs very well this will also fix the movie player.

[adric22]

@goochbuntu - How is that possible being that Adobe hasn't released the source code for Flash and they do not provide a binary for PowerPC?  I think you are mistaken.

[goochbuntu]

@adric22 i dont know why dont you ask the ubuntu forums how medibuntu codecs work since your the one that is asking how its possible since in the united states they cannot release the system with the codecs out of the box i use ubuntu on my desktop and everything works just fine using the restricted drivers. google medibuntu been using ubuntu for 6 years. havent had a issue i couldnt get around

[adric22]

@goochbuntu - Why do I suspect you are running on an Intel or AMD based system? I'm quite familar with restricted drivers on those systems. But the software simply does not exist in any form on PowerPC and probably never will.

[goochbuntu]

@adric22 again check medibuntu , com you will see the commands for ppc installs of these thing please dont be the normal mac users that act like they know everything when you dont. again im trying to help the linux users here.. and if your not familar with ubuntu maybe you should pull your video

[goochbuntu]

@adric22 the restricted extras use medibuntu repositories to install the codecs again medibuntu will work with ppc

[MegaYupers]

@adric22

Ubuntu is not { THE LINUX VERSION } to install on Power PC (PPC) G3 , G4 , G5

THE LINUX VERSION is MintPPC

install MintPPC from a Flash-Drive

mintppc.org

[MachintoshCJ]

I think if you use Debian, you will be fine! Or you can use Xubuntu.

[SuperTechieJ]

Too bad PowerPC is pretty much gone from the marketplace.

In alot of ways the chip was superior to its x86 counterparts of the day.

Is there any way to build a machine with a PPC chip these days?

[miasmablk]

you need libdvdcss2 to play protected dvd's. >:\

[Sha12333]

does runescape or silver right videos work ! 

[miasmablk]

@Sha12333 silverlight video content works BUT, content that requires ms silverlight DRM i.e. netflix doesn't work as it is closed source code that microsoft is to stingy to share.

[Sha12333]

@miasmablk thx

[mlthomp1981]

Debian would work much better on a PowerPC system. I have an iBook G3 300mhz (clamshell) with only 128mb ram. Installed Debian with LXDE and everything works without a hitch. It's actually usable.. just slowish

Should be mentioned that Ubuntu does not provide a PowerPC version of their distribution themselves. If I am not mistaken its a community remaster isn't it? I believe ubuntu stopped releasing a PowerPC build back in 06 or 07.

Debian does offer an "in-house" PowerPC download.

[computerfreaq17]

Install Restricted Drivers, that should fix your Youtube problem and DVD Problem, and (not mentioned) MP3 Problem too! Just go to the terminal and type in:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

then put in your password, and voila! It should work!

[adric22]

@computerfreaq17 - Sorry it won't work. In this case the software simply doesn't exist in PowerPC form. 

[imixmuan]

Linux MintPPC is out, uses LXDE so is much lighter on system requirments. Some ibook clamshell and Titanium G4 owners are reporting very responsive systems, everything including wireless, sleep and battery monitor working right out of the box. Lightspark project has flash working experimentaly on PPC Debian, so maybe there is some hope. My ibook g4 HD crapped but when I replace it (aarrgh, done it once already and its not fun) I am giving linux mintPPC a try out.

[adric22]

@imixmuan - thanks - I'll look into those when I have some time. If you try one of those out on your powerbook, let me know how it goes.

[BrandonScott1001]

I just wonder how fast Flash will go away...?

[adric22]

@BrandonScott1001 - Not fast enough for me.

[richardmaudsley77]

@adric22 Haha Amiga music on a Mac video.

Someone needs to strap magnets to Jay Miner, we could power half of europe with the force of him spinning in his grave.

[JussiZhang]

Cool share.. without this video, I may try more that 3 days(download need two days) to install Ubuntu on my Power Book. Ha ha ... now!? Just forget up it...Why do I need a APPLE with no wireless.



[TheCatandOwlandBat]

Where did you find the PPC ISO image you burned to the disk? I can only find Intel based versions of Ubuntu 10.10 for OSX.

[adric22]

@TheCatandOwlandBat - You have to google for the powerpc version, its not on the main page. I'd post a link here but youtube won't let me.

[TheCatandOwlandBat]

@adric22 YouTube won't tell you? Hmm. Alright, I'll do that, thanks.

[Lachlant1984]

I thought the only way to run Linux on a Mac was through machine virtualization program such as Parallels or Fusion, I didn't know you could clean install Ubuntu on a Mac, that's bloody sweet. Can you dual boot the system to either Linux or Mac OS? What about running Ubuntu on an Intel Mac, does that work without all the complications you mentioned? Is there a specific ISO file you need to download for PPC systems? Does Ubuntu on an Intel Mac support all the hardware? Bloody WOW!!!!!

[adric22]

@Lachlant1984 - As far as I know, Ubuntu runs perfectly on the Intel-based Macs. Yes, it should be possible to dual-boot a G4, I just didn't want to mess with it. And yes, you need to download the PPC specific ISO image.

[MakeupMr]

Oh nice :)

I have ubuntu installed on my pc that runs mac 10.5.8, windows xp, and ubuntu and ubuntu is my fav next to mac ofcourse :)

Fyi i thought flash did support ubuntu cuz i have it on mines

[adric22]

@MakeupMr - Yes, Ubuntu on the Intel X86 platform has flash, but not on PowerPC.

[gab1971]

@adric22 I had the same problem I found out using google chrome has flash built in so it worked

[MakeupMr]

@MakeupMr oh i forgot that it was ppc lol

well im likeing ubuntu alot i think i might try it on my old g4 :)

[winfr34k]

woah cool, he's back :D

What's your ebay name :D???

WANT TO BUY SOME OLD MACS :D

[adric22]

@Jakeman2164 - I seriously doubt it. I think you need at least a G4 to even run it at all.

[LunaVorax]

What is the battery life of an iBook G4 with a brand new battery ?

Does the battery life increase or decrease when using Ubuntu 10.10 PPC ?

How does the suspend work on the iBook G4 when using Ubuntu 10.10 (when closing the laptop), is it as fast as OS X ?

Thanks a lot for your answers !

[adric22]

@LunaVorax - I didn't test for battery life or suspend button. But I suspect the battery life may be worse than MacOS X because it seemed like the fan ran more often on Linux.

[superapple4ever]

Thanks I didn't even know you could run Linx on a PPC I will give it a try.

[adric22]

@superapple4ever - Yes, but make sure you download the PPC specific version.