Kubuntu Karmic Koala RC

[tim S]

For those who care the newest Kubuntu, (v9.10 Karmic Koala RC) released just a few days before the official release is really stable on my X41. It found my hidden network right away and bluetooth seems fine as well.
While my configuration/requirements aren't exactly complicated, I found it to be as good as Hardy but more up to date and modern looking. My own preference is for Kubuntu but I'd hazard a guess that Ubuntu is just as stable.

As a word of caution Linux stability seems to vary from machine type to machine type and configuration requirements.

Just for the heck of it I installed the AMD X64 version on a spare drive in my desktop, and it also worked extremely well.
Tim S

[madcow]

does it feel faster? does it boot faster? I want to move from 8.04 to 9.10. I want some gain in speed.

[untitled_no4]

Madcow,

Boot time is significantly faster compared to 8.04. 9.04 was already booting very fast and this is slightly better, with most of the effort scheduled for the next release. As for running, it's been a while since I've used 8.04 so I can't compare, but I'm still happy with the responsiveness of the system, so if it doesn't run faster it definitely doesn't run slower.

[emeraldgirl08]

can't wait to try this out!

I wonder how well it'll handle the legacy video cards though.

My R52 zips along at a gorgeous and satisfactory pace. My R51e with an unusual ATI/Thinkpad arrangement has a couple of hiccups. Since I use the R51e for my desktop I hope Karmic has a better compatibility than Jaunty. R52 will get it as soon as I find an optimal time to download it

[tim S]

With regard to legacy cards I can only speak of the N'vidia 9600GT PCI-e card in my desktop. It was identified and the correct driver was automatically downloaded. No problem there!
My X41 was completely operational out of the box and I'm sure that additional drivers were not required.
Tim S

[Neil]

Hehe, Tim called the 9600GT PCI-e card "legacy", the newest Nvidia card I have is a AGP MX440. And my newest Thinkpad has the ATI 7500 processor.

[Louis]

I can't wait, i'll be getting the final version tomorrow, I decided to wait till the final version is out so the bugs could be worked out. Still running 9.04 on my z60t here and Im planning on getting a t400s in the next few weeks which will be running Ubuntu as well.
Im glad to hear it found your hidden network, that was a major issue for me in 9.04 to the point i had to set the SSID to broadcast because it would just act up when it wasn't.

PS. Did you guys upgrade or run a clean install?

[tim S]

I try for a clean install whenever possible. I had a spare 1.8" 60G for the X41 and a spare 32G WD Raptor for the desktop.
If you can't wait the RC is fine (there were about 160 updates after the install) so the official release tomorrow should only add a few more.
Tim S

[emeraldgirl08]

Woohoo!

One more day

[poshgeordie]

Just installed 9.10 i286 Ubuntu using alternate CD on my T30 and it works like a dream.

Much quicker boot up than 8.10 and detected wireless with ease.

One small problem using gdesklets and screenlets - a black box with thin coloured lines is all that appears and I cannot find any solution yet for this.

Like the Ubuntu Software Centre and the laptop appears to run slightly cooler, though I cannot get gkrellm temperatures to sense the GPU unlike Hardy 8.04 which was the last RC where is worked.

[Louis]

My z60t is running great with Koala. Even the hidden network issues I had on 9.04 are gone. I can't wait to get my t400s and try it there.
Everything worked out of the box, even on my 6+ year old desktop where I had to struggle a bit with 9.04 getting the audio to work, this time around no issues!

[tim S]

I've downloaded and installed both Ubuntu and Kubuntu Koala on my X41. Both are clean installs on separate drives, I'm not sure that it makes any difference but that's what I like to do.
On Kubuntu, wireless hidden networks require some work to install, namely unhide then hide once connected, and the TPB (thinkpad special keys) don't display on screen, but the keyboard keys do their job.
On Ubuntu, hidden networks install more easily thanks to an 'Install a hidden Network' button. And TPB displays properly.
From an eye-candy point of view, out of the box KDE has it all over Gnome.
Tim S