Ubuntu may be one of the best operating systems around, but that does not put it beyond criticism, says Jack Wallen.
I must confess that having eulogised Ubuntu 10.04, I consequently found it challenging to identify anything I didn't like about it. But 'like' is such a relative term and, as we all know, no operating system is perfect. So after much reflection, I did come up with 10 things to address in one of the best operating systems on the market.
1. The new themes
First on my list is one of the aspects of Ubuntu 10.04 that I have never liked. In my opinion, the new themes set back the look of Ubuntu a few years.
Now, this failing comes on the heels of the release of Gnome 3, which will really turn heads — it's all I use now. But the default themes in Ubuntu were not a good choice. There were also reports of the possible inclusion of RGB support in the GTK widgets, which would have enabled real transparency in all widget sets.
That innovation did not happen and is still not planned. My concern is that most new users will install 10.04 and have trouble getting beyond the default themes.
2. The lack of Samba
Of course, you can install Samba easily with the help of the Ubuntu Software Center. But one of the big selling points of Ubuntu and Gnome 2.3 is the ease of file-sharing.
By simply right-clicking a folder, you can select to share that folder with other Linux or Windows users on your network. However, other pieces must be installed first.
Read this
Ten factors that give Ubuntu 10.04 an edge
After several months using the latest version of Ubuntu, Jack Wallen is impressed by the operating system's qualities
Why not install them by default? I realise they are trying to keep the default boot times down to around 10 seconds — but at the expense of easy file-sharing? Bad call.
3. No Gimp
Really? Gimp has been the standard-bearer for Linux graphics for years. It's always been there. And it would be hard to find a replacement that is as powerful and as easy to use. I know that, like Samba, it's easy to install. But one of the big selling points of Linux is that on installation you have everything you need to work. Not so without Gimp. Put it back.
4. New init system
My dislike of this aspect stems from years of typing /etc/init.d/networking restart or any other command that lies inside /etc/init.d/. Now we all switch gears and use the service network restart command. It is certainly easier.
Dumping the old init system is going to shave time off the system startup. But it hard for me to stop typing /etc/init.d/insert_daemon_here restart.
5. No PayPal for Ubuntu Music Store
When I first started using the Ubuntu Music Store, I was thrilled that it accepted PayPal. But thanks to a glitch in the system, PayPal had to be removed — and it has yet to come back.
Since its removal, I have stopped buying music from the Ubuntu One Music store. I'm not a fan of using credit cards in such situations. I was told by one of the developers that PayPal would be coming back to the store. Once PayPal returns, so will I.
6. Nouveau drivers
I was quite excited to hear that the replacement for the proprietary Nvidia drivers would make it to 10.04. I was sadly disappointed by their performance.
In fact, the Nouveau drivers are so outperformed by...
Talkback
Can't agree on the 'service restart' command: why type more than you need to? Move on....
Jack, I liked your constructive criticism. I have 3 points.
1. The Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons should be easier to move to the right.
2. I agree with you on the themes. Although one can customize it and make it more sleek it would be nice to have more colors and glossy and translucent themes instead of the elegant ones which can at times border on being dull.
3. Advertising: Very, very important point. Many people don't even know about this OS and that is so sad that such amazing software is not known to many. Ubuntu must advertise for people to be curious or attracted enough to leave their comfort zone of Windows & Mac. Moreover, some people and companies make money selling these fairly good OS's and since there is no monetary incentive in propagating Ubuntu, advertising (Print & TV) might change some of that.
I am running the KDE version, and when I minimize a window it should go to the task bar. Alas, it doesn't show anywhere. It's like it shuts down. Also when pressing the X to close a window sometimes the tool box will pop up, as it is located in the same place.
Half of these criticisims hold no real weight. The comments about themes is purely subjective as is your opinion on pre-installed software.
One of the best thing about Ubuntu (and Linux in general) is the ability to pick and choose freely.
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1. The new themes
You failed to realize, most of this was not put on the install disks for 'room' reasons, not peoples personal esthetics. As you note, they can all be installed or otherwise, immediately.
2. The lack of Samba
install Samba
room on install cd.
3. No Gimp
install gimp.
Most prefer simple photo edit software, not cumbersome gimp.
4. New init system
Most people are not interested in computers for digging into the internals.
5. No PayPal for Ubuntu Music Store
PayPal... heard of it and the security problems... But then I don't use twitter (et al ad nauseam) for same
6. Nouveau drivers
I will not argue with you there, except both work now, on install, which neither used to, if you recall. Improvements happen, get over it.
7. New logo
Some like - some don't...
8. Gwibber problems.
Can not comment...don't use it. And that includes Facebook.
9. No Google Chrome
Chrome and such may work on your systems.
I didn't like IE (AT ALL) and prefer it to googleware.
I guess IBM is a company not familiar with browswers and such, since they are converting ENTIRE COMPANY to FireFox.
10. Still no welcome screen
This one floored me.
I have been using Ubuntu for years.
There is almost one at the main site, in the forums, in any documentation I have read, in all the areas I have looked, than knows how to write understandable instructions.
(I know I am going to get flamed, but, most don't even know how to answer the questions that were asked,)
LINUX is very short of good documentation people. Most do not work for Ubuntu.
I did find the people out there that know how to do this chore, I will never go to the Ubuntu forums again, looking for an answer. (they are not better or worse than most Linux sites... Paraphrasing Lincoln... they mutually excell each other a lousy.
For the record. I disagree with most of your complaints, concede one since I have nothing to do with FaceBook, et all...
And feel you missed the boat on number 10
If we're talking about criticisms that are keeping Ubuntu from the masses, I'd say it's the lack of GUI based commands. No average user is going to use the terminal. When I used Windows and OS X I never messed with code. In Ubuntu I use the terminal daily. So much so that I have it hot keyed. That's fine for me since I love the freedom it allows, but to the terminal averse Joe-windows-user, Ubuntu would seem downright restrictive.
It's true it "just works" but that's only when it works. When it doesn't, you better be ready to crack open that terminal and go a-code hunting.
Clearly you had nothing to write about and in a lame attempt to not miss deadline came up with this drivel... honestly? Some real meat behind this article would have gone a long way... thumb sucking 10 random "issues" is just a waste of my time and everyone else that read this rubbish. Real articles next time please.
I was pleased to see that someone finally commented on the shift from the traditional init system to Upstart. Then, I found that the comment on init had nothing to do with that shift.
In fact, you made a comment about the inconvenience of learning to use a wrapper for manipulating system daemons, complaining that the familiar method was no longer available. That's a stupid complaint on its own, but given that the service wrapper has been present for several distribution upgrades at least, is used on other Linux distributions, and that the older method still works just fine, there were no grounds to the complaint whatsoever.
In fact, the specifically example given, "sudo /etc/init.d/networking restart", works perfectly well, and does precisely as one would expect, as anyone would know who took ten seconds to test it.
I am the developer for Pinguy OS. I agree with you on most of your criticisms with Ubuntu and that's way I created Pinguy OS.
Pinguy OS addresses most of the criticisms you have with Ubuntu. Please give it ago and tell me what you think.
Although most of your comments are based on user preferences or have a slight amount of merit to them... but Google Chrome????
Ok, so Google has a lot of good software and some good projects in the making, but Google Chrome isn't one of them. Can we say COMPATIBILITY????
There's a good reason why Firefox is one of the default browsers installed with Ubuntu and that may very well be because it's not Google Chrome.
Hi Jack,
Paypal support should be enabled for the Ubuntu One Music Store. It is for the US store. Sorry about that. There's no reason why it should be disabled at the moment. Please file a bug at https://bugs.launchpad.net/rhythmbox-ubuntuone-music-store/+filebug and include which regional store you are using (US, UK,...). I'll check into this on Monday. Thanks!
Matt
This article demonstrates a classic problem with linux community as a whole, they can't even manage to talk with one another without ripping each other apart.
Instead of complainig, how about.... Say thank you for a free operating system.
I would like to point out, in a polite fashion, that while Google Chrome may not be a default and that it is easy to get from google even for Ubuntu and other Debian-based OSes there is an open source equivalent that I do believe came first called Chromium. In fact, I believe that it is in the Ubuntu Software Center for easy installation and has many of the same functions (if not THE same functions) as Google Chrome.
I know that I know that I prefer Firefox on my Ubuntu installation because I use a netbook for my Linux testing and Firefox has an extension that makes it more netbook friendly. Now if only it worked with the current FF, but that's another matter.
their worst release to date and it is an lts release. my biggest grip is simply xorg. which isn't really ubuntu's fault. also competing against apple is not as simple as moving window buttons. why are you competing? just make the best dang gnu/linux os possible. i mean get a clue!