Ubuntu Netbook Remix 10.04 - Review

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About Ubuntu Netbook Remix

What is Ubuntu? Well, literally it is interpreted in South Africa as an ethical principal meaning "humanity towards others." In 2004, South African millionaire Mark Shuttleworth started the Ubuntu Linux Project. The Ubuntu project aims to provide a stable, and up-to-date operating system for the average user. Unlike most other Linux distributions, Shuttleworth's project but a strong emphasis on ease of installation and usability.

Instead of selling Ubuntu for profit, Canonical (Mark's company that offically releases the OS) creates revenue by selling technical support and from creating several services tied to Ubuntu. Since it's launch there has been a steady stream of Ubuntu-derived operating systems (Edubuntu, Kubuntu, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Studio, etc). One of the more noteable ones, or ones I would like to point out is Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR). An Ubuntu-derivative aimed at hardware manufacturers building netbooks for the consumer market. UNR is built to be compatible with the new line of Atom Processors - which are essentially scaled-down, low-power versions of the their older, desktop siblings.

Enter The Netbook Remix

Now for the average consumer, installing computer applications that aren't downloaded directly to the netbook, can be pretty tricky. Luckily, the Ubuntu website provides the average downloader the option of they will be downloading the install media, and even come with instructions of how to turn a USB-key into a bootable device that is treated like a CD, to install the OS.

http://www.ubuntu.com/netbook/get-ubuntu/download

If these installation methods don't seem to work, or aren't supported by your system, my best reccomendation is to use a slick little application called Unetbootin, which will make creating a USB-bootable disc of anything you can possibly imagine. This option is great for non-Ubuntu and Windows users wanting to give UNR a shot without the hassle of going through a manual process to create a bootable usb-disc. This program is also cross-platform so Mac, Windows, and Linux users alike should rejoice!

PenDriveLinux.com has also released their own Windows-based application called the "universal usb-installer" that makes installation of Linux on to a USB/Flash-drive a breeze. Check the screenshot below:




Installation

When installing, it's quite noticible that the UNR project has made a specific point of making the installation as quick and as seemless as possible. UNR 10.04 has a smooth, clean, and responsive install that doesn't waste time installing (largely due to the flash-drive and no CD). All-in-all, my Aspire One 110L only took about 15 minutes to install the OS. Quite a improvement over most operating systems and the traditional ubuntu install. For those who are looking for more installation help, please check out the Ubuntu Help Pages for installing from a USB Stick - but take note that the wiki still is based on the 9.10 version of UNR and not the most current 10.04. As a reccomendation I would like to make to anyone... please refer to the supported hardware here before you install UNR, as you may not have a great experience if your hardware isn't supported whatsoever.

Using the OS:

When booting up for the first time - I was impressed. Total boot time took less than 5 seconds. It was smooth, it was fast, and it, again - was visually appealing. Canonical seems to have focused on a new default style of operating system, departing their "earthy brown" theme to a purple-ish hue that somewhat resembles the default artwork of Mac OS X. Needless to say, the interface is simple, easy-to-use, easy-to-read, self-explanitory, and did I mention speedy!? That's right. UNR is the speediest Operating System I have used on the computer yet!


Use of the Operating System is simple, quick - and loaded with all of the goodies that any road warrier can appreciate: * Totem for Videos * Rhythmbox for music management (similar format to iTunes) * OpenOffice for any office-type application you could need to use * Internet essentials like Instant Messaging, Video Conferencing, Web Browsing, and even BitTorrent are all present * And if your application isn't present, feel more than welcome to use the built-in software center application or the command line to install your apps via apt-get

One of the most noticible improvements is the emphasis on the applications displayed on the screen. Ubuntu has dramatic improvements for netbooks in terms of it maximizing screen space and proper formatting on a small screen. What I really like about UNR is that its simple for the everyday user, it's well presented and snappy, while leaving the above-average computer user to roll up their sleeves, and get technical as well. Its a reccommended download to anyone

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[harpy515]

Did you really do a review with no commentary??

[True2TheBlueYoViGang]

eh, i dont like it hogging the entire screen... i perfer regular ubuntu. The menu looks real cool tho i just hate it takes the entire desktop (its made for small pc's with small displays i know i know).

[TheDBone2]

@sonicfan811 I'm pretty sure you can't since Ubuntu you could already encrypt it or you can simply boot it from flash

[sonicfan811]

my question may be stupid but is there a way to install ubuntu onto a partiton on my hard drive but you have to use a certain usb drive to boot it

[LEON951]

I have a question how can I switch desktop, you know like ctl+alt + left or right. doesn't work

[warnock881]

@danieldvs100

lower than windows. my desktop dual boots win xp with ubuntu and ubuntu runs ALOT faster. It has a pentium D cpu and 1gb ram :)

[bounjour100]

but how do u get the internet?? work

[bounjour100]

but how do u get the internet??

[joesomebody1986]

use wubi to install and test in windows....

[experimental0000]

@danieldvs100 I just comment when and were I can to try and be helpful. as far as specs go, it varies from distro to distro but changes are it'll work on anything that's 5 years olf or newer, but it's best left to check the sites where you get the distro to see if they give more of a detail on it as I do not have those answers.

[danieldvs100]

@experimental0000 well, wile we are talking, what are the minimum specs required to run linux?