DSL connectivity issues threaten to keep ?Karmic Koala? from becoming the definitive free alternative OS to Windows
William Charles D'Souza / ICE World Nov 16, 2009, 18:23 IST
I have always believed that the primary responsibility of an operating system (OS) is to work so smoothly that it becomes virtually invisible — functioning without the least bit of hiccup to provide an unobtrusive environment on any computer where other applications come into play.
Now imagine if you could have this for free! I mean, the basic version of Microsoft’s Windows 7 costs nearly Rs 6,000. Why pay so much when you can do all your normal tasks on an OS that’s absolutely free for home use? The Linux-based Ubuntu was fast catching up with the Windows on all these parameters, at least till its latest version 9.10 — the ‘Karmic Koala’.
A rude shock
Officially released on October 29, just days after the much-hyped worldwide release of Windows 7, I was expecting the Karmic to have been the next step in the Ubuntu team’s mission to make an absolutely free OS the definite alternative to Windows.
I’ve used the Linux-based OS as an alternative to Windows for over a year now, right from an 8.something version of Ubuntu to the 8.10 ‘Intreprid Ibex’, and then onto the 9.04 ‘Jaunty Jackalope’ – the last major release in April this year (the Ubuntu versions are always numbered in the Y.MM format).
I frequently switched between both Windows and Ubuntu through a dual-boot system on my Intel 2.5-GHz Core2Duo PC with a 2-Gb RAM, using a menu at boot itself. Several updates and two alliterations later, I was expecting the KK to stand up to Windows 7, if not leave it behind in the computing world.
Truth be told, I’ve never had a smoother upgradation. I just needed to hit the ‘upgrade’ button and the 9.04 Jaunty did the rest. The Karmic was ushered in over my 512-kbps MTNL line within a few hours.
And then, the new OS dimmed out my DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection. Talk about cutting your own lifeline!
Inexplicably though, my Tata Photon+ stick was accepted with open arms. It was up and running on the Karmic without any trouble.
But try as I might, I just could not revive the DSL connection. This was a first. Ubuntu had problems (I’ll come to that later), but never ever with connecting to the Internet. Both wired and wireless networks could always be configured in a flash on the Ubuntu.
After several attempts to find a solution (interspersed with the banging of my head on the keyboard), I used the one channel I still had working on the Karmic to reach out to the world for help. Thanks to the Photon+ connection (and even the regular MTNL line which worked absolutely fine in my alternative OS Windows), I saw hundreds of complaints being posted online at various forums regarding the Karmic’s inability to configure a DSL connection.
Oddly enough, my colleague at Business Standard executed a bare install of the KK and activated her MTNL DSL connection with the least effort. Seemed like this is a bug that showed up only in upgradations, like in my case...
Of course, by the time you read this, the Ubuntu team may come up with a fix for this bug. But I will read this experience as one point ceded to Windows, at least in India where the use of DSL is growing phenomenally.
Not too user-friendly
Coming to the problems I mentioned, I have to confess that Ubuntu was never truly user-friendly. At least not to the extent Windows is. So things could get complicated for newbies who have never explored beyond the highly user-friendly realm of Windows.
You see, Ubuntu incorporates a series of packages, and then some. These are added/removed by actual command line directives in a package called the ‘Terminal’, or by going through a really long list of programs in what is known as the ‘Synaptic Package Manager’. You just can’t go double-clicking some Windows executable file (.exe). Even the ‘Wine’ package meant for this is a bit complicated.
Basically, the Karmic team needs to tackle all the bugs that are being reported (particularly the DSL one), else — like one of Business Standard’s IT Systems’ executive said — “...the Karmic may well do to Ubuntu’s reputation what the Vista did to Windows”!
Can I do everything I did in Windows?
Almost. Karmic, like other Ubuntu predecessors, offers an alternative for practically every Windows package, but with limitations. For example, the Karmic comes with the free OpenOffice 3.1 package which allows you to tackle all word documents. However, latest versions of PowerPoint and Excel files may need converting to older formats.
In games, Karmic offers about a dozen preloaded ones, with the promise of over 400 full and free additional games for downloading. You can use the Wine package to run other popular ones, but this is not guaranteed.
Most games, and software, run smoothly by default in Windows only. In Ubuntu, you have to put in that extra effort to zero in on drivers, plug-ins and other solutions to get what you want.
So is it worth it?
My answer to such a query would still be unequivocally yes. True, when I first installed Ubuntu a year ago, I thought I had hit the software equivalent of a solid stone wall. But I then discovered what would turn out to be my e-guru for the Ubuntu — the infallible forum where thousands of techies share their solutions for Ubuntu issues through step-by-step instructions. These forums gave me confidence and ensured my progress in the Ubuntu environment.
Then there’s the biggest, unbeatable argument in favour of using the Ubuntu — it’s free! It’s also light on resources with only 256 Mb of memory needed. And you get tons of stuff with this free OS.
Ways to install Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)
If you already have the previous version (9.04 – Jaunty Jackalope), you need to only press the ‘Upgrade’ button in ‘Update Manager’, and the rest will be done automatically. However, you should download the 690-Mb ISO file and burn a Live CD which allows you to temporarily use an Ubuntu environment to check whether your wired Internet connection continues to work in the Karmic environment.
New users (read Windows-addicted), should also download and burn the Live CD to run the free OS either temporarily from the disc itself, or install it for the sake of gaining experience within Windows. The reason is that Ubuntu takes some getting used to, so it would be a good idea to get a feel of the free OS before committing to it.
What do you get? For a free OS, the Ubuntu – as always – packs quite a punch:
The OpenOffice 3.1 suite as an alternative to MS Office.
Karmic comes preloaded with Firefox 3.5 as the default browser. Though there are issues with Flash and videos. So forget about playing Farmville immediately.
It has Evolution Mail which offers emailing facility and even a calendar. One suggestion: Better check ‘leave messages on server’ option so that you can continue to work with your emails if you intend to drop Ubuntu.
The Empathy package proves to be a powerful package for chatting in GTalk, Yahoo!, MSN and a host of other services — all at once. Although I still prefer Pidgin and even reinstalled it in Karmic as Pidgin at least tells you by default when the opposite party is ‘typing’ like the normal GTalk software, something that Empathy does not.
Karmic offers the Ekiga Softphone for talking to people over the Internet, and the Transmission BitTorrent Client for sharing files.
In Graphics, Karmic offers F-Spot for tinkering with pictures.
Media players are pretty adequate, with Rythmbox for music and Movie Player for videos (although I had to reset the Hues in the latter as it was playing videos only in blue-black by default). ‘Restricted Codecs’ may be needed to play all formats.
The visual effects alone could leave Windows far behind. Resizing and shifting of windows become entertaining with Ubuntu’s full visual features activated. My Nvidia 8600GT Fatality card was more than enough to see Ubuntu’s own version of the ‘Aero Peek’ transitioning of windows, or even shifting them between the two Ubuntu Desktops (Oh yeah, Ubuntu offers two Desktops).
Security is tops too — user privileges are very secure and you do not need any anti-virus package as there are not enough anti-Linux viruses out there in the wild. Even otherwise, there are just a handful of AV packages for Linux-based systems. Karmic also offers a user 2 GB of free online space through the ‘Ubuntu One’ feature — your first introduction to ‘cloud computing’.
While the Karmic’s boot sequence turned out to be longer than that of the Windows 7 and definitely more than its predecessor Jaunty, Ubuntu’s promoter Canonical intends to cut down boot time to just 10 seconds by the time they launch the 10.04 version of the free OS in April next year as a part of the Canonical’s “100 paper-cuts” mission to make Ubuntu faster.
As for me, I am just hoping that somewhere between the fixes and forums, the Karmic gives my MTNL connection back... Then the 9.10 would be the definitive alternative to the Windows. Till then, I would be happy to have my netbook stuck with the good old 9.04 Jaunty.
Hello everybody. Even I don't have any issue with DSL connection. May be during upgrade there might be some problem. I have intalled Installed Ubuntu 9.10 on Dell inspirion 535s Desktop without any issue. Except i found one bug "When I plug my microphone, the speaker does not mute automatically". My Windows OS does that perfectly. Otherwise this is the best distribution till date that ubuntu has release. Seeing forward to 10.04 !!!!!!!!!!!
i agree.... actually whenever i get into windows 7, i get too annoyed that i am forced to come back to ubuntu .. most often i think i bought windows 7 so i "should" atleast use it, but its really bad, i had skype hanging on windows 7 about once in an hour !!!!! Flash videos stop responding atleast 2-3 times in a day, and the solution restart !!!! Ubuntu has no such issues it works very very smooth. Also the desktop effects are not from ubuntu, its a different group who makes compiz , its availble for all linux distributions. In the end inspite of some small issues (which have been solved in latest kernel .. like brightness control for dell studio 1555) , and a little sluggish performance of flash especially in HD. I still love ubuntu especially the latest release 9.10. It just boots up under 15 seconds .. Love it ... Love it...
Managing packages semalessely from one signe interface IS very user-friendly. In Windows, you don't have to just click on a exe file. You have to download it, store it somewhere. Then clixk to install. If other softwares are required, then you often have to download them manually aswell, and do the same thing. Things get dirty, because you often have useless temp files remains lying around your on you hard-drive, plus that you have to get manually rid of the exe files.
But the best with package management the way Ubuntu doesit, is the update system. It's so great! Everything is maintained up to date with the same tool. On Windows, I always have specific update management tools annoyingly poping up all the time. On Ubuntu, you only have one, discreete, that can even be configured to do it automatically. It's brilliant.
I have been downloading Ubuntu distros for 3 years, after each major release hoping that this would be the one where I could get it running. Every time, there was one thing (wireless, display issues, hibernation, sleep mode, crashes, some software issue, etc...) that kept me from keeping it. I am now happily running Ubuntu, and I can say, while I really enjoy it, it IS a challenge. I run Win 7 Vista, XP, and now Karmic in my household, and Karmic was the biggest challenge to get set up. There were lots of things that went extremely easily, but there lots of things that were super hard as well. I love it, but I don't think it is quite ready for mainstream yet.
I have been using Linux Mint for over 6 months now which is based on jaunty (Ubuntu9.04). It is actually what ubuntu should be. It installs everything by default including the media codecs. I would strongly recommend it to anybody who is switching from windows to linux. Trust me very few would ever want to go back to windows.
I tried out KK ,but decided to stick on with Mint as there was certain instability issues with KK. Maybe i will just wait for Mint 8 which due by this month end and which may solve all that is wrong with KK.
I think that users should consider migrating to the long term support version offered by Ubuntu - which is 8.04 (Hardy Heron).
I tried my hand at upgrading from Jaunty to Karmic, but things didn't quite work out... so I reverted to the old trusty Hardy.
Didn't have time to fiddle around with the problems in the old laptop of mine (Thinkpad R52).
I have a dual-booting system with Kubuntu installed in a USB HD. My Kubuntu OS works way faster than the pre-installed WinXP Home bundled with my PC.
I'm going to repeat the router post. I don't recommend anyone connect their computer directly to the DSL/Cable modem. A router is the perfect in-between. One reason for this is that Routers are preconfigured to understand PPP settings and other dialects that the OS shouldn't be aware of. PPP on Windows is actually very difficult to configure if not worse than Ubuntu. So I wouldn't put Ubuntu down for this at all.
Posted by: Dan
December 07 , 2009, 07:35 IST
I agree completely! Linux can actually be easier to configure than Windows once you know to use it.
Thanks for the update on new release. It seems 9.04 can be continued for some more time.
People are not willing to try other than MS. They will prefer to install pirated verison again and again / use latest anti virus. But will not take pain for Linux.
I have problem with my modem. None of the Linux software is picking my modem (Fiber optics modem recently installed by Etislat, Sharjah). I have tried Ubuntu, BOSS (indi linux), puppy and few more but all failed to pick this modem automatically. Earlier I was using any one of them as per wish
Any solution for this problem.
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 23:45 IST
Seems like we are in the same boat PChit, aren't we?!! As a last resort, I will try to bare install the 9.10 (instead of the upgrade I did before). Lets see if that works. Else, I will be frank, I am going back to Jaunty. At least that works without the least errors... Of course, will be on the lookout for solutions to this problem. Regards, William
Ubuntu is actually for more easy than Windows.
What is easier than to hit "install software", enter a search term (like 'foto') and select the programs you want? Whish Windows had that !
And the clicking on a .exe for installing... in Ubuntu that's called clicking on a .deb for installing. THE SAME THING! With the difference that ubuntu notifies you if there is an update for the program, where as Windows only updates MS-software... See? It's even easier and more user-oriented with Ubuntu.
Posted by: William.DSouza
November 17 , 2009, 16:39 IST
Dear Sol, You are very right. I did not mention the .deb experience and thank you for bringing it up. You are right in saying this would take Windows several notches higher if MS were to incorporate something like this. You know, I honestly feel that, given more time on Ubuntu, people will love it. Trouble is, people need time to explore it to understand its true potential. But thanks again for highlighting this particular feature. Regards, William
DSL - Where's your router? That would have easily fixed your probelm. I guess there are a few people in the world who have only 1 computer hooked up an internet connection.
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 16:42 IST
Dear g, You will not believe what all I tried to get my DSL line up and running. Let me be very straight here - I am NOT some hi-fi techie but a run-of-the-mill PC user who tried like hell to find a solution to the DSL problem. May be I should follow my colleague's example and do a bare install. Watch this space for more on that...! Regards, William
Hello about the "Multi Desktop" feature you can also have more then two desktops in ubuntu you are also able to get more "eye candy (visual effects)" with Compiz Fusion, you can find it in the Ubuntu software store (Add/Remove)which gives you more control on the effects, and since 8.10 which was the first time using it i got used to it fast, i also have had no problems with Karmic Koala (9.10)on my EMachines, there are also a few business in my town that use Ubuntu over Windows and Mac, and have also showed a few people that were interested in Linux but were scared that it was too difficult to use, after 5 minutes with a few people useing it they were amazed at how much better Linux was over Windows and Mac. Also for Windows apps Wine works well for most of what i use it for (mostly CAD) but there are also great apps on Ubuntu's side that i use like Blender. i have also got some Schools talking about Ed-Ubuntu over XP Pro
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 16:43 IST
Dear Ubuntu16 (or Sansui?!!), You've stuck a cord with me ? I have the same problem in getting people to try out Ubuntu ? they are simply too scared to try the new experience. Even if they do, they hate the strange environment. But you really can't blame them. After all, Windows is synonymous with PC usage for decades. My solution? I encourage them to at least go in for a dual-boot system with some time set aside for Ubuntu. It works! All the best... Regards, William
Nice article,
I am enjoying Ubuntu for more than a year. I too started with 8.04.
I feel it is a very safe option for Business. Kerala State has given Ubuntu laptops to its MLA's. Assam uses it too ( http://www.ubuntu.com/products/casestudies/amtron )
I feel this great software needs more coverage. I hope the media can do that service. Its a free software so one can't expect them to spend a lot of money on marketing!
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 16:44 IST
Dear Paul, I knew about the praiseworthy initiative in Kerala. But Assam was news to me. That makes me glad. The media is getting around on this issue, believe me. But we get bogged down with all the blood, Bollywood and business of politics... :-( Regards, William
One most important thing that most ignore is the installing drivers part. After installing Windows, couple of hours and in some cases weeks go by trying to install drivers. Ubuntu on the other hand does it one its own.
About executable files, double clicking a .deb file after downloading a package installs the package. Not always does one need to visit synaptic or terminal.
There were some problems faced by people who upgraded, a fresh installation will be recommended, it takes just 20 minutes and you're ready to use it.
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 16:53 IST
Dear Sukalyan, Thanks a ton for the advice. Believe me, with my limited knowledge, I tried a lot to repair my DSL. But will now go in for a reinstallation, like you and a million others have told me. Watch this space... Regards, William
Well as you said its harder thing to bear is user fiendly of ubuntu is still not as good as windows . But gdebi makes it simple as msi and synaptic for control panel . well compiz + opengl + conky + cairo gives me a great desktop That i cant even imagine with windows .
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 16:56 IST
Hi Karthik! Sounds like you're one of those rare guys who knows his OS inside out. Glad to hear you are enjoying your Ubuntu. I would too, if the darn DSL thing works. But I realised something while reading these feedbacks, including yours - I shouldn't have said Ubuntu is not user friendly. What I should have pointed out, and I now realise in hindsight, is that this FREE OS needs time to getting used to. May be then people will get to see what all it offers, which I believe you already have... Enjoy. Regards, William
Man this article is non-sense. A disconnect. To me this sounds like someone is trying to discredit Canonical and Ubuntu in favor of that other OS regardless of how much you claim how much you love Ubuntu. One thing I can tell you something is wrong with your current setup for Karmic to Bootup slower than Window7. My boot up is supper fast compare to windows7. I know because I have both windows7 and Karmic on two different PCs side by side and Karmic always wins. As for the issues you are having well I don't know what to tell you. My Comcast broadband connection has never faulted and my Wi-Fi works great too, Karmic even picks up my ATT 3G connection through my mobile phone. Stop trying to bring this OS down because someone out there wants you to. There are plenty of folks having upgrade issues ask about the windows7 upgrade issues and they are probably worst,Shame! Sell out!
Posted by: Deeje
November 23 , 2009, 01:42 IST
What William says is true, there have been many many reports of DSL issues with Ubuntu 9.10. Sometimes it doesn't work, other times it's slower than dial-up. And there are several other issues with the entire OS becoming corrupted and failing to boot. I'm saying this because both of these things happened to me, and when I searched the web I found that there are lots of other people with the same problems who have no idea what to do. Ubuntu is awesome but it's probably best for new users to stick with 9.04 until 9.10 is fixed.
Posted by: William
November 17 , 2009, 20:58 IST
Dear Spartan2276, Let me be very clear - I am NOT trying to bring Ubuntu down. Why would I have stuck with it for over a year if I wanted to? There's no grandiose conspiracy here, and definitely not at anyone's behest. Something IS wrong with my 9.10. May be I need a reinstall? Who knows. My CDMA wi-fi worked fine, but DSL didn't. That's it. I am not gonna lie about that any more than I would want to about my respect (and yes, love) for Ubuntu. I will get over the problem. After all, forget your Comcast, even my colleague's DSL worked fine when mine didn't. I chose to publicise that, as well as the fact that everything worked super-fine over that very same DSL line in 9.04 only to get it cut-off when Karmic started up. Still, I honestly believe Karmic will be real good (if not already). Take care. Regards, William
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