Kubuntu | linux for human beings | Kubuntu

What is Kubuntu?
Kubuntu is a free, user-friendly operating system based on the K Desktop Environment and on the award winning Ubuntu operating system. With a biannual release cycle and at least 18 months of free security updates for each release, it is the secure, stable computing environment you’ve been waiting for.

As some of you know I am ( and have been for quite some time) a die-hard Arch Linux user. A few months ago I bought an Inspiron 1525 with Vista preinstalled because us Canadians were not allowed to purchase the Ubuntu model. I mistakenly thought this machine would be a sure thing with almost any Linux… WRONG!
From what I’ve read lately, the Linux version of this laptop has slightly different hardware…

After trying several distros on it, including Arch, PCLOS and Mepis. Arch couldn’t connect via eth0 to complete an install! I decided to go with Mepis as it seemed to be the one with the least issues.

Now, Least certainly does not mean none! Wireless worked out of the box, eth did not. Sound worked somewhat after many weeks of digging, reading and trying a zillion “fixes”. All in all the system was useable but not even close to being the perfect setup.

Mepis was my first Linux Distro so I’ve had a certain loyalty to it from the beginning. They have been having some issues lately and the other day was the last straw. Wireless stopped working and nothing, I mean nothing would get it back online. The search was on for a new system. What the heck do I try now? Mepis has always been known for ease of use and excellent hardware detection/support…

Enter Ubuntu… Not being a gnome lover, I decided to give Kbuntu a try. I was shocked and impressed, to say the least!
Eth0, Sound and even the integrated web cam worked out of the box! That’s never happened. Wireless is running via ndiswrapper.
It’s only been one day, but so far the only problem I’ve found is a slight volume issue. The max volume is very low, but I’m sure that can be fixed, given some time to research the Ubuntu forums.

Update: Sound is much improved simply by setting the Master Channel to Front. Also the touch volume controls on the laptop itself work, that’s never happened either!

Update: The touchpad is working correctly out-of-box also.

I should also mention, Kbuntu runs much faster on this laptop than Mepis did.

Technorati Tags: Kbuntu, Arch Linux, Mepis