Newb to Ubuntu..suggestions?

[rarnold69]

Hello everyone,

I just want to start off by saying this software looks very promising but I am lost from all the information. I have pretty basic questions to start off with before I move forward with an actual install.

Please keep in mind I am computer savvy but I have no clue in the programming field or the ultra specifics on hardware.

Some General questions:
Should I download or have the CD shipped?

Is it a Boot CD install or do I install from windows?

Will I have a dual boot for Windows and Ubuntu? I do hope to eventually get rid of XP.

Would it be best to purchase a second drive and install Ubuntu on that drive?

How much more memory efficient is Ubuntu as a % per say?

Will I have to reinstall all my drivers and programs(i.e. Graphics, mouse, keyboard, Games)?

Software specific questions:
I mainly download music (5% of the time), watch movies (15%), surf the net (25%), and play World of Warcraft (55%).

How efficient is Ubuntu for handling peer to peer network software?

I am positive that there is a movie player software available, but is there one that plays it all that is similiar to Windows Media Player that can play all media file extensions?

I already use Mozilla and I love it.

World of Warcraft (the lovely time sink):

How stable is Ubuntu for installing and playing World of Warcraft?

With the constant patches that WoW puts out is the Ubuntu platform able to install these patches with no problems?

Is Ubuntu more efficient memory usage for playing WoW then Windows XP?

____________________________________

Any help on these questions would be much appreciated and would get me started on my path to ridding myself of Microsoft software.

Thank you so much for your time in helping a newby!

[dorcssa]

If you have a bandwidth connection, you can easily download the cd, I think, and it's a boot CD, and also a live cd, so you can actually see the OS before you can install it. There's a good guide about dual-boot(and a lot of ubuntu-related stuff), and you don't have to buy a new hd..see this site: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/

What do you mean by reinstall? It's an entirely different OS, it needs other drivers than windows. You can play Wow, do a search on the forums, you'll find many thread about it. The other things are easily done, for codecs, see this site: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

[rarnold69]

Thanks for the reply, I am looking at a WoW installation topic as we speak. Your answers were enlightening ;)

So I should dual-boot? Rather than buying a new HD?

I see your point on the drivers. I will just have to see how that goes when I install.

So do you believe that this is an extremely more efficient OS? I realize it is more stable.

[dorcssa]

It's stable enough, but it depends on the hardware, especially when it comes to graphic chips and wireless, see around, a lot of thread complaining about these too. But I had no problem for instance. And yes, you should dual-boot..or you have too little space on it?

[rarnold69]

I have plenty of space on it but it appears that since I play WoW 55% of the time Ubuntu may not be for me since it doesn't seem like the FPS in WoW is as high in Wine as it is just running Windows.

Am I right here? I would love to run Ubuntu whenever I am not playing WoW at the very least. But the only way to get from playing WoW to running Ubuntu would be to restart and boot up in Ubuntu correct?

[bastiegast]

About the drivers, ubuntu comes preinstalled with a bunch of drivers so basic things like mouse and keyboard should be no problem. Getting 3d acceleration (for games) is a bit of work, since you need to install drivers.
The next ubuntu release will have a windows based installer, its said you don't even need to partition your harddrive. It will also have the video card drivers from ati and nvidia installed by default.(although theres a lot of discussion (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=323456&highlight=blobs+by+default) about it)

About stability.
Indeed Linux (in general) is considered more stable, but its very hard to answer your question with a short answer. Also you can't (at least I can't) how much more efficient linux/ubuntu is with memory. If there's differences I don't think they matter that much to home users. It's stability in terms of how many months a server will stay on. But fact is, blue screens are history, you will never worry about spyware or viruses, reboots are rarely needed *(general linux advantages) and keeping your software up to date was never so easy(ubuntu advantage)

[rarnold69]

@bastiegast

That is a big portion of the answers I was looking for. Thanks so much!

Sounds like the release coming out in April may be what I am waiting for.

By stability I meant exactly what you discussed, no spyware, viruses or reboots. Why is that anyway? Because its not mainstream so no one makes them for Linux?

I know we are on the Ubuntu forums and this may be sacraligious (sp?) but is there perhaps another alternative that would be better for me that relies on linux based programming?

[dorcssa]

For gaming, there isn't. You can only play wow through wine, and it won't change until the game developers port it to linux...you see this happening soon? I don't. But you can use linux and when want to play, boot back to windows. Many do this. I'm not a gamer, so I don't bother. :p :D

[Shatrat]

Before I sold my wow account I was playing often in Wine. When the 2.0.1 patch came out my windows wow install broke and by wine install patched properly and kept working. The performance is a little worse in wine, but if you have a good Nvidia card you should be ok. It's only really noticeable in big fights with lots of particle effects like Sapphiron or Kel Thuzad.

I wouldn't wait for Feisty Fawn. Download edgy and start learning now.

[bastiegast]

@bastiegast

That is a big portion of the answers I was looking for. Thanks so much!

Sounds like the release coming out in April may be what I am waiting for.

By stability I meant exactly what you discussed, no spyware, viruses or reboots. Why is that anyway? Because its not mainstream so no one makes them for Linux?

I know we are on the Ubuntu forums and this may be sacraligious (sp?) but is there perhaps another alternative that would be better for me that relies on linux based programming?

Your welcome :) Now there was a great article in the ubuntu documentation about why you don't need to do virus scans and such but I can't seem to find it. The reboots have to do with the workings of the kernel. Windows needs to reboot in order to load certain new dll's (system libraries providing, for example: drivers). I don't know why this is exactly but Im sure - if your really interested - google can help you out.

[Sammi]

I can pretty much guarantee that 45% of your Ubuntu experience will be problem free and fantastic. Linux in general is very well developed as a surfing and multimedia playback platform.

But the 55% you spend on WoW will depend more or less on luck. Most people with reasonably good machines get WoW to run pretty well or at least at a playable frame rate. But some have huge problems with making it work and others can't get it to run at all :(

You will simply have to make your own experience. I'll cross my fingers for you :D

[rarnold69]

Thank you all for the responses!

It seems that my conclusion from all of your answers for now will be to dual boot.

Ubuntu for Internet and Media

and

Windows =P for WoW.

Thanks again!

[dorcssa]

That's a good choice for a beginner. ;) Report back when you finished installing. :D

[Yerknutz]

I am having no luck with my M1210 wireless in Edgy 6.10. I have the Intel Pro Wireless 3945abg, worked fine in Dapper 6.06, even works in Kubuntu Fiesty beta 2. Just something to look out for. I am not sure what I am doing next, either going back to 6.06 or waiting for a more final release of Feisty.

As for Windows for WoW, I play WoW all the time in Ubuntu and I get the same or close to the same framerates as if I run XP, without all the overhead and unneeded services/dlls that I get in Windows. The M1210 is a pretty beefy little rig. Now if only I could get my wireless working again in Edgy, ;)

[rarnold69]

@ Yerknutz <---nice name

I do have a wireless router (my girlfriend connects wirelessly but I connect directly) guess I will have to get that installed while I am on Ubuntu as well or she may get mad and give me aggro problems ;)

As for WoW I would love to get it to work clean and be able to multi-task:

Play WoW
Switch to Thottbot or leveling guide
Play Music
Use Fraps to record PvP fun
Download Music
Burn CDs

All at the same time with alot less lag and slowing of the comp that I have now.

But until I am done being a Ubuntu Newby I will just have to leave WoW out of that equation for now ;)

[dorcssa]

Well, I still consider myself a newbie, so it's not a good politic. Just jump into the deep water. :D But keep a windows partition just in case. :mrgreen:

[tuxcantfly]

The next ubuntu release will have a windows based installer

I'll assume you're talking about this:

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=338279

This is NOT among the official ubuntu feisty features or installation methods, (at least not yet, though we'd like to have it included once it's fully functioning); it's a third-party project by me and 2 other developers, which is still in its alpha stages. So no, the next ubuntu release will not have a windows based installer, unless a bunch of developers jump in and help us finish it before the feisty feature freeze, and canonical agrees to recognize it as being a standard ubuntu installation method.

[adam0509]

I wouldn't wait for Feisty Fawn. Download edgy and start learning now.

He's right, Feisty will hopefully be a great version, but you need to learn now in order to install a good clean and stable (cause testing and testing stuff you don't know may cause some bugs and/or lack of performance)