Installed Ubuntu 6.06 LTS tonight

[jmtjet]

I had such high hopes when I installed ubuntu that I wiped out my SuSE installation. When I got up and running I found it was just more of the same old-same old. This don't work-that don't work etc etc. To say I'm disappointed would be an under statement. Over the last several years I've tried many different distro with the same disappointing results. Linux just can't get it right.

Example #1: After the install I had 163 updates to download. It gets to 142 and stops-this took 45 minutes.

Example #2: After I set up my printer(Lexmark Z32) I printed a test doc.- print garbled(same old-same old) nothing has changed there. Printer didn't print after that.

Example #3: Tried out the Ekiga Softphone-nadda, nadda, nadda.

Example #4: Went to add/remove software expecting to find a list of available software for download. Not much happening there.

It seems that Linux is moving backward instead of forward. As the times change with video all over the net to watch-I'm not able to watch it because the plugin failed to install. And so it goes. I'm really disappointed tonight.

[kage]

Sorry to hear that. I haven't personally used Ubuntu 6.06, but I used the last version of the 5.x series.

Driver support, imho, is linux's weakest area at the current time. Linux runs on almost anything, sure, but what good is an operating system that cannot be fully integrated with the actual computer? It is not all bad, however, and with a little tweaking you can get most things to work. On this note, I have had fairly good luck with most hp and epson brand printers under linux.

Flash support has always been mediocre at best. After Macromedia finally finishes flashplayer 9, flash support might get better, I wouldn't hold my breath though.

In the add/remove software bit, I assume you were using synaptic? Did you try updating the repository? You should also add another mirror, to include the community repositories, this gives you access to hundreds of software packages.

[jmtjet]

Thanks for the reply Kage. I see you have the link to OneAna in your sig. that's very good. I've already contributed on another site. It's good to keep the ball rolling. Let's hope all goes well for little Ana. After I settle down a bit I'll get back to Ubuntu and set to the task of sorting it out. I just expected more.

[jmtjet]

Update; I'm making progress with Ubuntu. But still unable to find a way to play web video. Any ideas on how to accomplish this?

[kage]

Web Video, as in flash? Or something like an embedded .mov / .mpg? For flash, I highly recommend easyubuntu. For embedded videos, install the mplayer-plugin.

[Roadrunner777]

Hi y'all... I've been using Ubuntu exclusively since last November... The Ubuntu forums are incredibly helpful for most things. Something in 6.06 did a number on Flash, and I don't think there is an easy fix, if at all right now. On-line video is a bit of a toss up, some video works, some does not.

Printer support is my number one issue right now, and it's probably not going to get better until the printer manufacturers embrace Linux a little bit more closely. But, there are articles in the forums for the Lexmark Z series printers, and people are getting them to work by following the instructions there.

-Phil

[jmtjet]

I've made progress tonight. I ran easyubuntu and installed automatix. I was doing pretty good, but I think I made a mistake with automatix, might have set myself back some. Getting late here, so I'm off to bed. Thanks for the replies.

PS; I also joined the ubuntu forum-got some help there.

[jmtjet]

Update: I'm getting so I like Ubuntu, I'm at the stage were I can do most anything with Ubuntu that I can with Windows. I can watch some video, but not others. I'll keep working on it.