Number of Ubuntu netbook remix's

[celticbhoy]

This is not solely concerned with the Moblin remix, but I was just wondering if Ubuntu is going to be spreading itself too thin. If you are a netbook owner the amount of choices available will overwhelming.

You will have the choice of all the standard Ubuntu desktops, plus three separate netbook remix's with UNR, Moblin, and Kubuntu netbook remix. One of the big criticism's with Vista was the number of different versions, I fear that too many netbook versions of Ubuntu will put off people who might be tempted to try Linux.

[mxboy15u]

I am using the UNR 9.10 Alpha and I am very impressed. Much improved over 9.04.

[davec64]

You're right about the amount of choice, but is this any difference to the amount of choice you get for a desktop install?
The 3 varieties of Ubuntu Netbook you quote each cater for a personal preference. I see the future of Netbook flavours taking the same route as the Desktop each catering for someones preferential window manager along with ultimately what the main use of the device will be.
I currently use UNR 9.04 on my Acer Aspire A150 and its served me well so far! But I'll definitely give something else a go when it catches my eye as that might fit better with the way I want to work.

You know what they say.... Variety is the spice of life!

[NormanFLinux]

Hard to believe it all began with Asus Easy Desktop launcher. That was when the netbook craze really took off. And now there are a lot more choices of OS GUI interfaces for netbooks than existed just two years ago.

[celticbhoy]

I just think that there will be people who will be advised by a friend or magazine to try Ubuntu on their netbook, go to a download page and then be bamboozled by the choice. As well as those I have already mentioned Gnome Shell from the upcoming Gnome 3 looks as much like a netbook interface as I have seen. I think a better idea would be a default install with a complete package for each of the netbook front-ends easily downloaded and installed through the new software center. That way users could try a number of different interfaces, pick the one they want to use, and remove the rest.

I don't want anyone to think I am against choice, every machine and install I have has a number of different DE's, I just think too many choices on an initial download will put off those who don't want involved in the 'technical' side of computing - they just want to switch it on and everything works.

[Anton32828]

celticbhoy,

Your concern describes me perfectly. I am the owner of a new HP Mini 110 (clearance sale at BestBuy). I would describe myself as a Mac & Windows power-user, but new to Linux. So it was fairly simple for me to download Ubuntu Mobile Remix (9.04) and install it as a dual-boot with WinXP on my new netbook. Now, after doing some surfing and learning, I am scanning the boards to try to understand what is the "best" netbook Linux for me.

I have found:

1) UNR
2) Eebuntu -- optimized for EE brand PCs, so not for me.
3) Moblin

I'm sure there are others. What, if any, are the reasons to choose between Ubuntu / Moblin and UNR? Or are they the same?

Thus far I have been very impressed by UNR as an "it just works" destop. I like the tabbed "desktop" design -- it's a great use of the small netbook screen.

As an Ubuntu newbie, I agree that Ubuntu should have a consistent brand image for netbooks --- it would be less confusing.

[Diskotekno]

As far as canonical goes there really only are two choices unr and umr. (I suppose you could include the Dell variants also)

As more of a power user with linux i find netbook remix the more suitable choice, as it still contains a standard desktop interface toggle.

Many users with simpler needs of their netbooks will more than likely migrate to moblin. Moblin shows a lot of promise as a simple OS for those who the majority of time surf the web and frequent social sites.

And finally lets remember that choice is one of the pro's of selecting linux as an OS.

[igknighted]

As far as canonical goes there really only are two choices unr and umr. (I suppose you could include the Dell variants also)

As more of a power user with linux i find netbook remix the more suitable choice, as it still contains a standard desktop interface toggle.

Many users with simpler needs of their netbooks will more than likely migrate to moblin. Moblin shows a lot of promise as a simple OS for those who the majority of time surf the web and frequent social sites.

And finally lets remember that choice is one of the pro's of selecting linux as an OS.

There is now a KDE netbook version with the release of Karmic, so add one more.

I think the reason there are so many options is because netbooks and the operating systems designed for them are very new, and there is a lot of innovation going on currently. Each has certain things it does very well and people who want to use them, hence an Ubuntu remix of each. I think given time these features will merge and natural selection will occur, and we will end up with a sane number of netbook versions.

[Anton32828]

Good feedback. I installed UNR so I could learn more about Linux, so if UNR is the "more complete for power users" version, I will stick with UNR.

Thanks.

[carsonspost]

Agreed, there is a bit of clutter in the Netbook market. However, the Moblin version doesn't seem to be there yet, and the other two span the KDE/Gnome divide. If you want Moblin, get the normal Moblin system and take advantage of the lightning quick boot.

I think in the long term the Moblin version will find a way to integrate into the gnome netbook system. In a version or two there will be the two base systems.

Having tried all, I'm installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix as its the most mature and really is a good system.