Until recently, I feel the urge to set a path for Ubuntu in my learning process. So last week, I installed Ubuntu 7.04 to my BenQ Joybook A32 laptop. Installation is always easy and few clicks away, but have to be careful on the hard disk partition especially when you want to have dual OS (Windows and Linux) in your computer.

Choose “Start or install Ubuntu” after booting the Live CD to install Ubuntu

Getting really excited as I know for sure this time, I will learn something new.

After the above screen, you will see the orange theme. (maybe that’s one of the reason I like to use Ubuntu? ) Double click on the “Install” icon on the desktop. Follow the instructions and answer few questions and you are ready to start using Ubuntu.

After installation and once you restart your computer, the GRUB menu will be shown. If you have two OS, then from here you can select which one to use.

I really like the clean look of Ubuntu. And here is how my desktop look like.

Click to enlarge

I tried to view my blog with Firefox in Ubuntu, it turn out to look fine.

Click to enlarge

Here are a few things that you might want to do after installing Ubuntu. I’d been searching for answers in the web and here is the solution for some problems that I encountered. Hope it may help those who have the same problem.

Disable Login Screen / Enable Auto Login

Since only me myself will be accessing to my laptop, enable the auto login feature will be a nice choice.

To enable this, go to System > Adminstration > Login Window (may require password)

Under Security tab, check Enable Automatic Login and choose the User.

Screen Resolution

Since BenQ Jobyook A32 comes with a 1280 x 800 native resolution, the Ubuntu interface is stretched and looks really ugly. Unlike Windows where you can easily install the driver, in Ubuntu, you have to (most likely) use the xserver. This is what I did:

Go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal, and type the following command:
sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg

Press enter, and you may be prompt for password. Then continue type the following command:
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Press enter again and type another command to install the fitting resolution.
sudo apt-get install 915resolution

Press Ctrl + Alt + Backspace to restart X and you’re done. Now you can choose the resolution of your choice.

Setting Windows XP as default OS
I made my laptop to support dual boot, so that I can switch to use the OS of my choice at anytime. However, I still set Windows XP as my default OS, so I don’t have to keep choosing Windows XP to boot at the GRUB menu.

So, again go to the Terminal and type the following command:
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Press enter and you will see lots of codes, look for “default”. The initially value is 0, which means the first choice of the grub array menu. In Ubuntu version 7.04, Windows XP will be the value 4, but after updating to 7.10, the value will become 6. Well, it really depends on the order in the GRUB menu.

P/S: It’s 14 days more (by the time I write this), before the new version Ubuntu 8.04 is released.

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This morning, right after I was logon to my Skype account, I got a message from my boss. Questioning me why she still observed the user surfing AirAsia website! Crap..I knew things gonna be bad if I still don’t find solution for this. I was really pissed off this early morning. Because, I REALLY AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY LINUX PC!!!! I’m the only IT personnel here. Who should I discuss with? Well, in almost every situation like this, I will consult my friend, Google.

I’m glad that I did bookmark a very useful link some time earlier when I was looking for source for learning Ubuntu. This post is basically for my own reference, if I meet this sort of situation again.

An Easier Way to Install Programs

Ubuntu has a great package manager called Synaptic that lets you search for or find applications to install or remove from a list. You can check it out by going to System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager. You can easily sort packages by category, their installation status, or by searching. If you find a package you want to add click it and select Mark for Installation. Once you’ve selected all the packages you wish to install, remove or upgrade at this time, click the Apply button. It’s as easy as that. However, not every application will be on this list and betas are usually never listed. In those cases you must go out and download the installer elsewhere and install it manually. Such is the case if you want the latest version of Firefox the day it comes out. It might take the repositories a day or two to get the latest versions.

The Synaptic Package Manager

Right click the application you want to install/remove/update and mark it to your preference.

After that, click on the Apply button

There is also a simpler version of the Synaptic Package Manger aptly-named Add Applications. You can access that via Applications>Add Applications.

Note: I used the “Add Application” shown above, to remove Firefox, but failed. It doesn’t allow, perhaps that time I was not login as root.

Source: PaulStamatiou

I was thinking what’s the difference between Ubuntu 6.06 and Ubuntu 7.04? So, I decided to install Ubuntu 7.04 to my laptop (currently using it to blog). When I start doing the installation, wow..the interface looks even better than the previous version, I mean look at the logo, it’s more round and solid. However the photo you see below, it’s a bit stretch. Well, that’s what it looks like when you have it freshly installed in a widescreen display laptop.

And because of some misunderstanding on the partition part, all, ALL my data in the harddisk all reformatted and gone~~~ Well, that’s why I’m busy these 2 days. You gonna say, installing Windows doesn’t take you 2 days, huh? Well, this include finding software which I always wanted to install and also, spending a lot of time searching for customized font…and a lot more, such as Photoshop brushes…I haven’t search for old and new one. That’s eating up my time.I’m sad that some critical data is gone, but hey, it’s a new start…my laptop is now more nicely organized and I’ve decided to change the font that I always use for the watermark to the one you see in the above picture. Now my laptop is ready to use and most software that I need is already installed.

P/S: Just in case you haven’t know yet, Ubuntu is one of Linux distros.

But before installing Ubuntu, we should know the requirements, although it can be supported by almost every system, even older systems.

Minimum Hardware Requirements
- 700 MHz or better processor
- 256MB of memory
- CD-ROM drive
- Ethernet interface
- VGA graphics interface
- 3GB of available disk space

So, I assume that you are going to install Ubuntu on a Windows system, for dual boot. And just assume that you just need a basic installation of Ubuntu – without worrying the hard disk partition. (if you are an expert, please ignore this entry, this is not for you)You can finish installing Ubuntu Linux in just few steps.
Step 1: Insert your Ubuntu Linux CD and boot it. (assume you know how to boot disc)
Step 2: Choose “Start or Install Ubuntu” when you see the menu screen.
Step 3: Then you will see a Ubuntu GUI desktop, double click on “Install”.
Step 4: Choose your preference language (you probably will want to choose “English”)
Step 5: Choose your geographical location & time zone.
Step 6: Choose your keyboard type (I chose “American English”, you probably do the same too)
Step 7: Fill in your information such as name, login ID, login password and computer name.
Step 8: For beginners (such as me), you would like to choose the first option, and let Ubuntu handle the spaces it need by itself.
Step 9: Last step, proceed to finish your installation.

Basically, if you follow the installation wizard closely, you won’t be lost. Of course, you can install Ubuntu with the “text method”, which I will not discuss it here. You can find more information about installing Ubuntu from many resources available from the Internet.

Earlier end of last month, I mentioned about ordering a free Ubuntu Linux CD. And today I finally received it. ^^ Happy!! This time is a newer and for the mean time the latest version of Ubuntu Linux (version 7.04, unlike the one I downloaded earlier which is version 6.06) Since I already installed Ubuntu Linux 6.06 to my PC, I will make this CD one of my collections.

So this is a photo of my newly received Ubuntu Linux free CD. Nice packing and nice disc cover design. To find out how to get a free Ubuntu Linux CD too, please read my previous post here. It took about 3 weeks time to get my CD. Have fun =)

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After reading a few articles available from the net, I came up with a conclusion for beginners like me. Before we look into Ubuntu, there are 3 keywords we need to know: GNU, Debian and Gnome.

GNU – Computer operating system composed entirely of free software. Linux is developed based on the GNU Project, thus, it is also known as GNU/Linux.

Debian – The Debian Project is an association of individuals creating free operating system. The operating system that created by the Debian Project is simply known as Debian.

Gnome – The Gnome Project is a free software that provides an attractive desktop environment for building applications that integrate into the rest of the desktop.

Both Debian project and Gnome project are under the GNU project. And Ubuntu is one of the many distributions of open source Linux operating system.

What?
What is Ubuntu actually? It is one of Linux distributions such as Mandriva, Fedora Core, Gentoo and many other more…

Ubuntu – Ancient African Word
It’s an ancient African word from the South Africa Nguni language family, which bears the meaning of “Humanity to others“.

Why?
Why not other Linux distro but Ubuntu? This is because it is a free Debian derivative with support options for the enterprise. As we know, Linux does offer paid version for enterprise usage. So, with the combination of Debian and Gnome, you have Ubuntu – with an attractive interface and powerful applications available for its users.

Here is a quote from PCMech:

• It’s 100% free and always will be
Ÿ• Thousands of applications are immediately avaliable
and 100% free
• No more virus, spyware, or malware hassles!
• You want to learn something new
• It’s cool
• Why not?

So, if you agree with one of the above reasons, or simply just like me, want to learn new things, you should download a copy of Ubuntu today.

Download from Ubuntu.com.
Get free Ubuntu CD here.

So, if you are interested in Ubuntu, why not order one now, for free? The CD and shipping is all FREE.

Click here to get your free Ubuntu CD!

*I’m a total noob in Linux, any guides and help is most welcome and appreciated*