Ubuntu For Free » Upgrade

Success Upgrading to Kubuntu Intrepid Ibex

admin — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:07:53 +0000

I’ve resisted too long. Finally I was coerced into it. After having spent a lot of time on a different project, I’ve tried to spend a little more time in KDE 4, and then Konqueror stopped working. It would give me a fatal error every time i tried opening. I found someone else reporting the error and it had been suggested to go ahead and upgrade KDE. I checked for new packages in Hardy Heron, but none were available. The upgrade from the run prompt using

kdesudo “adept_manager –dist-upgrade”

After a successful install on the machine that has the most packages, I chose to repeat on the other machines. Yay, I’m able to use Konqueror again.

I’ve also been very happy with some of the other improvements. While I was disappointed to see that KDE3 is missing, KDE4 now supports saving sessions and locking the terminal. Both were my biggest complaints aside from crashes.

KDE4 Install in Kubuntu Improves Performance

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:53:43 +0000

I first installed KDE4 yesterday, and I’ve been impressed with it. Not in the ways I expected, but at the same time disappointed and frustrated in other ways I was not ready for. Ctrl-F12 fortunately doesnt require three keys on the left hand for a normal US keyboard, but instead does require both hands, almost universally. It’s interesting now, because I’m beginning to see a shift in the interfaces of operating systems. It is very apparent comparing KDE and Vista, and it’s amazing how the interfaces parallel the user base. I see this reflected in the new Ctrl-F12 desktop with the widgets, and I expect to find it as the foundation for future interfaces. I’ve seen other programs like Yahoo widgets try to do something like this, but it was more of an encumbrance with the operating system. This instead seems more naturally integrated, of course because it is part of the OS. It would still be nice to be able to use Ctrl-Alt-Del to see what I would previously expect for the “Desktop”. Another disappointment, is the missing alt+f1that I’m so used to. It makes me reluctant to use the new spectacular Kickoff menu. Also significantly lacking is the ability for me to lock my terminal. Having my personal laptop around in my office is usually ok for me, but I’d like to be able to lock it when I’m not at my desk.

My greatest pleasant surprise of installing KDE, was the improved performance. The core system seems extremely refined, fast, and immediately responsive.

Sometimes it’s so frustrating that I almost want to give up and logout and switch to the KDE 3.5 session, but instead I hop on IRC in Konversation and look for help in one of the channels. So far, it’s been an experience. Somewhat of a struggle, but I think I’ll keep trying.

Kubuntu Gutsy Gibbon Upgrade Crashed

admin — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:38:36 +0000

What a disappointment. I’ve previously written about experiencing the Blank Screen Bug in Gutsy with the Release Candidate CD. Today, I was forced to experience that the problem is still there on the official release. I used Adept Manager to update 16 packages it noticed that were behind. After the update, it finally figured out that I was due for the distribution upgrade. It started the process and crashed. I rebooted and it informed me of 1304 updates. I started that process, it crashed, and failed to boot again.

I used the ISO for the Kubuntu 7.10 official release and tried to install. The first try, GRUB failed to point to the correct hard drive. The second time, it still used the wrong drive, but I edited the GRUB configuration and it successfully booted.

The strangest thing, was even after I installed and booted up, the Adept Manager informed me of a couple of updates, and I updated those, and then it prompted me for a distribution upgrade… again. This time, I think I chose correctly when I opted to decline the upgrade.

Kubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon is released

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:33:17 +0000

With the release of Kubuntu 7.10 Gusty Gibbon, it’s now time to get started on the update. I’ve been trying for two days and I haven’t been able to get Adept Manager to recognize that there’s a new update. I am not able to devote very much time to it, so I’ll continue to try in my free time.

If anyone has any suggestions or comments regarding this issue, please advise.

Gutsy Gibbon Release Candidate is Suitable for install by every user.

admin — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:52:26 +0000

Great news! The Release Candidate of Ubuntu and Kubuntu 7.10 code-named “Gutsy Gibbon” is available for install and is suitable for testing by any user. The complete official documentation on the upgrade is available for review. I didn’t see the expected updates I was looking for mentioned, but I just skimmed it. I have always planned to wait for the official update. The system’s running so good, and I don’t expect to really use the eye candy anyway. I do look forward to trying it though, but only after the official release.