Karmic expired; need to upgrade

[blackbird3216]

Well, Karmic expired about two months ago, and I never updated. It seems like now is the time, since I will also be installing a backup HD (never had one before), so a fresh install will prevent me from having to do any configuration with the new HD.

However, I have a dilemma. It should be easy to just use 11.04, since it is the new release, but because of the interface change, I don't know how good it will be. This will be my work computer, so I can't have stability problems. What is the general consensus regarding the new interface? Should I wait for another version until all the kinks are smoothed out?

The other option is to use the 10.04 LTS, which would actually be supported longer, and would be another natural upgrade from 9.10.

[mikewhatever]

The general disconsent is that some like Unity and others don't, for some it works really well and for others it does not, some think it the future and others a shameful disgrace. Good luck looking for a consensus here.;)

I think that instead of relying on biased comments and opinions, you can do yourself a favor and actually test. The two obvious candidates are 11.04 and 10.04.

[mörgæs]

I would say that the best choice is Xubuntu 11.04. Not because it is light, but because it is solid and looks good.

[blackbird3216]

The general disconsent is that some like Unity and others don't, for some it works really well and for others it does not, some think it the future and others a shameful disgrace. Good luck looking for a consensus here.;)

I think that instead of relying on biased comments and opinions, you can do yourself a favor and actually test. The two obvious candidates are 11.04 and 10.04.

Hmm, I downloaded 11.04 to try it on my computer. I was surprised, as I booted directly into regular gnone. Apparently I can't run Unity, but that doesn't make sense. I have a core2duo processor and a NVIDIA 8600gt, so I don't see the problem.

Here is the output:
ubuntu@ubuntu:~$ /usr/lib/nux/unity_support_test -p
OpenGL vendor string: Mesa Project
OpenGL renderer string: Software Rasterizer
OpenGL version string: 2.1 Mesa 7.10.2

Not software rendered: no
Not blacklisted: yes
GLX fbconfig: yes
GLX texture from pixmap: no
GL npot or rect textures: yes
GL vertex program: yes
GL fragment program: yes
GL vertex buffer object: yes
GL framebuffer object: yes
GL version is 1.4+: yes

Unity supported: no

[ajgreeny]

You won't get unity with that setup until you have installed to hard disk and added the proprietary nvidia driver, which I don't think you can do with the live CD running.

However, in spite of all this I would suggest that 10.04, which is now very much the most stable version for some time, is the best for you and your work computer.

Personally I don't like what I have seen of unity, but I don't have a computer which will run it other than my netbook, and that is just too good running the blazingly fast Lubuntu 11.04, so that is not going to use unity.

[Old_Grey_Wolf]

Personally, I am staying with 10.04 until Unity matures.

I have tried 11.04 on both hardware installs and virtual machine installs. I don't like the Unity interface, it doesn't work well with my old-fashioned way of using my computer; therefore, it's just my opinion and preferences. That type of interface may work well on a smart phone; however, I don't find it friendly on a laptop or desktop computer with a lot of screen space. On the hardware installs it was slower, a lot slower, and on the virtual machine installs it crashed to often.

For a work computer I would go with 10.04.

I may decide to upgrade when 12.04 is released; but, not until I test it first.

As you can see from my signature below, I use whatever OS works for me. I have Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Fedora, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and so on, installed on various computers. I'm not loyal to any OS or Distro. If I don't like something and I can not modify it so that I do like it; then, I find something else.

I could modify 11.04 to use a different user interface that I like; however, that doesn't solve the problems I have had with performance and stability.

[blackbird3216]

Hmm, at this point, it looks like I'll be be better served by 10.04. (seeing as I can't even try unity) Thanks alot for your input, everyone.

There is one thing I want to ask before proceeding. How should I backup my current files before wiping out for a fresh install. I've never done it before.

Additionally, what utility should I use to do automatic backups in Ubuntu?
I know that I have time machine for OSX, but is there something as intuitive for Ubuntu?

[blackbird3216]

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