Since when, Linux?
 

Okay, maybe I made a poor choice in distribution, but this rather astounds me.

I decided it's been too long, and that I wanted to try running Linux dual boot on my machine again, just to see where it's gone in the last few years. Went to get Debian, my trusty friend, but decided to give one of these new distro's a look-see, since they didn't exist last time I ran Linux.

Ubuntu. Installed pretty painlessly, except for telling me that a partition of 120 gigs was too small for it, and eventually after haggling with the partitioner finally let me create one at 50gigs size. No biggie.

Installed 107 updates immediately after installation. Ahhhh, one of my favourite parts of Linux. Daily security and bug fixes, all the time. Constant up to date software availability.

WAIT. What's this? Ubuntu is telling me I have to reboot for changes to take effect? Wtfh? One of the primary strengths of Linux back in the day, besides being hella stable and secure was the fact that you never had to reboot for anything. Installation, updates, bug fixes, no reboot required.

Is this some Ubuntu queer logic that thinks it can make people more comfortable if its more like Windows? Or did something seriously go wrong in the years that I've been gone?
-m

Was there a kernel update involved?

Sounds like it to me.

Linux has come a really long way in the past few years. For the first time ever I installed a linux distro (both ubuntu and linux mint) without a single problem. Last time I installed it was bug after bug until it got to the point where I was just trying to fix the os bugs more then using it.

also what version of ubuntu did you install?

"Until you do so, security updates may not be fully applied, newly inserted or supported hardware may not function and new services may not be available."

To be fair, there was a 107 updates. I didn't check if one was a kernel update so I can't say if there was or wasn't - while this should be the only situation where a reboot may be necessary, the above statement from the updater... I don't know. I guess I just got scared that they were trying to Windows-ify it. I'm still shaking.
-m

8.04.1 "Hardy Heron"

Granted this is the first time I've installed it in under 30 minutes, and my network worked instantly. When I first got into it, I managed to get debian, redhat, slackware, and a few other distros installed relatively quickly, always running into troubles with getting the network up, but nothing mind boggling. Finally settled on Debian, and finally gave it up when I realized there were still too many things I had to jump back into Windows to do.

I think the thing I liked about it back then though was how much I learned just trying to get things to work haha... honestly, it was old school but it drove RTFM home.
-m

Speaking of getting Linux to work it is almost impossible to use dial-up on it. Sure Ubuntu will let you configure dial-up connection settings but it doesn't give you any way to connect/disconnect. :-S

Tried looking all over the docs and found a site with something that was supposed to connect/disconnect me but it had a huge confusing manual and required you to jump through a million hoops.

I just gave up on it and decided to just use my Vista boot for web stuff. So I don't use it very often because if I'm not using it for web design and I'm not using it for gaming what on earth could I be using it for?!

Haha, true so very true.

I remember there being a terminal application (not the command line terminal, but a 'terminal' application) for using dial-up.

I just hope the push hasn't come to make Linux as much like Windows as possible. Whether or not it had market share, one of it's most alluring properties was that it isn't Windows. I know it's just superficial, but themes for Linux desktop gui's used to be all crazy and cool and different. Now they all look like Windows.

*sigh*

Maybe I just gotta keep looking. I have been out of the loop for a few years.
-m

I am a linux user. (Gentoo) I have been for a while.

I dual boot with Vista (shudder)

A lot of Linux users are a bit zealous. They complain that Linux is becoming too 'Windows-like'. The only way people will ever use Linux is for it to transform into something easier to use.

Don't get me wrong. I love a command line. There are things you can do from a prompt that make mice quiver. That is why one of the first things I install on a Windows machine is Cygwin. BUT there are time even I like for something to just work. For example, I like when I insert a thumb drive and an icon just pops up on my desktop ready to use and abuse. (Disclaimer: This works in Linux for me.)

This is where Windows still has an advantage. This is why Macs are becoming much more popular. They are easy. The average user does not want to type stuff in a command prompt. They want to click one button and magic happens.

The elitist Linux user needs to realize that they are in the minority. They tend to push people away.
[/rant]

Heard of a little project called Compiz?

That's what I like about Macs. They don't look like Windows. My default installation of Ubuntu, on the other hand... I want to make a statement. I want my Ubuntu to wear some Prada, not this generic denim crap. I want everything to be the way I would've made it! NOW! now now now. *kicks feet*

Compiz looks interesting, I'll have to take a better look at when I get the chance.
-m

Ubuntu is pretty cool. I believe that it comes closest to accomplishing the goal of making a desktop Linux distro that can be used by the masses.

A friend of mine and long-time Gentoo user has recently switched over.

The cool thing about the different Linux distros out there is that they can be configured how you like. They may start out "looking like Windows", but this is what is needed for converts. It makes it easier to make the switch.

Good thing to hear from a gentoo user. I wish more linux developers were that same way.

I am currently a Gentoo user. I started out as a Mandrake(7.2 - 10.0) user, because at the time, it was the easiest.

I think it is/should be a natural progression. As I became more comfy with using Linux, I wanted more control. I got it by switching to different distros.