A few questions about Ubuntu/Kubuntu 8.04

I will shortly be installing Ubuntu/Kubuntu 8.04 on my desktop and have a few questions about it.

1. What is the difference between the KDE and Gnome desktop environment? Which one would be easier for a noob to use?
2. How much HDD space should I give Ubuntu/Kubuntu? I have 50GB to install Vista Ultimate and Linux on, I don't want to touch my XP install.

 

Nothing explains it better than Wikipedia, KDE Wiki, GNOME Wiki. I suggest you use GNOME which would inspire you to use Ubuntu because i feel it's much better for a newbie to start using. Linux doesn't take up too much HD space by itself, only about 2GB, but i suggest you use a minimum of 5-10GB when installing to have some comfort room. Read my Linux Switcher's Guide if you want to get to know more.

 

Answers:

1. Any answer to this question is bound to be subjective. Ubuntu seems to devote more resources to the Gnome desktop than KDE. Gnome on Ubuntu gives a smoother experience than KDE on Kubuntu. I know because I've used both. (FWIW, I'm currently using KDE.)

As to which is easier, that's quite subjective. KDE is sometimes said to be easier for newbies because by default it behaves more like the Windows desktop. However, KDE offers more options than Gnome to tweak your desktop experience. That's something which can overwhelm a new user.

2. I'm using 5.8GB of a 12GB partition for Kubuntu 8.04. I use virtual machines, development tools and other stuff that most people don't need. I think usage could easily get down to 5GB or even less if it were not for those tools. On the other hand I currently only have KDE 3.5 installed as a desktop environment. Someone needing both Gnome and KDE installed or KDE 3.5 and KDE 4 would need more space.

 

Yikes! That's small. I guess it's been too long since I've done a basic installation that I don't remember how little it needs. I always end up needing development tools so I install them right away now.

 

I don't install too much, just what the basic user needs pretty much.

 

I'm a gnome fan. You can give both Gnome and KDE a try by using a live cd to see which you prefer.

Also consider installing Linux Mint. It offers a noob-friendly gnome experience on top of an ubuntu base.

http://www.linuxmint.com/

 

ok well i am trying to install Ubuntu 8.04 x64 and it is not installing GRUB. I have tried several times and no matter what I do it won't launch the GRUB bootloader. I am trying to triple boot with XP and Vista ultimate but it always launches the Vista bootloader. I have also tried to use EasyBCD, with no luck. Is there anything that I can try to hopefully get this to work?

 

Did you install Grub to the MBR, i.e. sda1?

 

during the install I went to advanced and installed it over the vista bootloader

 

That...wasn't the best thing to do. I'm not exactly sure what you have to do now but you may have to use your Vista recovery CD to reinstall the Vista bootloader, if that fails you may have to reinstall.

 

I don't get that...never had a problem installing it to MBR, which overwrites Vista bootloader...if you're seeing the Vista bootloader, then that didn't happen.

EDIT: I would reinstall linux and make sure the GRUB goes to the MBR....if you ever delete linux, it's easy to get back the Vista Boot loader....all us dual booters do it that way, most of us anyway.

 

Or we get rid of Vista and use XP instead, for what little time we're in Windows

 

I'm thinking about it....

 

ok well i'm just gonna reinstall everything. Just to make sure I'm doing it right I install XP, then Vista, then Ubuntu, correct? Also, when installing Ubuntu, how do I make sure that GRUB is installed to the MBR?

EDIT: I finally figured it out, after reinstalling Ubuntu twice I changed the HDD boot order in the BIOS and now it works. However, the Vista bootloader is still there.

 

I really wanted to give Mint a try but I could not get wireless to work when trying it Live-CD on my refurb Dell D410 (Intel Pro/Wireless 2915abg). Ubuntu 8.04, worked right away, same with PCLinuxOS. I've never had good luck with Mint but really wanted to give 5 a try but it's a no go without wireless. Might fiddle with it some more, sure it will work eventually. Part of my problem may be I am much more familiar with KDE than Gnome. Just burned Kubuntu with KDE3, going to try it in a few.

Monty

 

One last question, hopefully, I need to access the root account and forget how to do it. I know that in Linux Mint I could put a new menu item that would log into the root account for a short period, can I also do this in Ubuntu? If so how do I do it?