Oook!

Yes, I am still learning all the finer details of using Ubuntu on my laptop and slowly my knowledge is growing. Sadly most learning experiences are from unexpected problems that pop up every once in a while. This morning, after entering my password, all keyboard functionality was gone. That was a annoyingly new. At least the magic keys were still working and allowed me restart my system. And after a second reboot then the system seems back to normal. For now.

Any hints on where I should check on what caused the error?

Just now I put in a DVD into my laptop, but it was not readable. Then the system could not execute the command to eject the disc. Ok lah, then I do it manually and pressed the button which is on the drawer of the drive ifself... but instead of opening up, I just got this message box.

Luckily the paperclip eject method worked. Wonder if I should put a little storage box for my pcmcia slot to keep a paperclip always with me.

Overall getting used to Ubuntu was not that difficult, missing software was so far easily installed (though I was not always sure where, but it works). On the average, working with it feels faster than with WinXP, though at times the CPU seems to be used at 100% by a run-away process. How can I get a listing with how much load the processes are causing?.

On the annoying side, since I installed Ubuntu (3 weeks ago), Firefox crashed more often than Opera on my windows box in the last 3 years. Also the media player was locking the screen every once in a while, not even being able to change to another terminal. Always had to restart the system. And usually after waking up from hibernation, my network configuration is set back to some default. Always have to change it to connect again.

Well and now the GUI is not loading correctly... trying for 2 hours already to solve the problem - annoyed, not having access to my files including the important documents.

My resume at the moment: several small problems with Ubuntu that I could fix, faster than Windows but apparently more unstable.

Quo vadis?

Maybe it is because I was tired, but getting Synergy to run automatically as a client was rather annoying. I wanted it to loaded even before logging in - if it is only loaded after login, I feel the program would onlydoing only half of it's work.

Also the instructions found here and here did not really work out by itself (possibly only me own inability with the system - I am still new). In the end, I finally managed:

insert in /etc/gdm/Init/Default before sysmodmap = /etc/X11/Xmodmap

/usr/bin/killall synergyc
sleep 1
/usr/bin/synergyc

insert in /etc/gdm/PostLogint/Default

/usr/bin/killall synergyc
sleep 1

insert in /etc/gdm/PreSession/Default before XSETROOT0'gdmwhich xsetroot'

/usr/bin/killall synergyc
sleep 1
/usr/bin/synergyc

Troublesome to figure all that out... and I think installing and configuring the VPN Client will be even more difficult.

Anyway, enough technical stuff for tonight... and the next days. Afterall, this blog is about me and my life which is definitely not only about computers. Promise!

First software installed: Synergy, but have yet to find out how to autostart it and how it can retain the server's IP. My laptop only has a keyboard nipple, no touchpad. It is a lot easier to control the laptop from my desktop's keyboard and mouse.

Next steps:
- Configuring Thunderbird, Instant Messaging
- Figuring out multimedia support
- How to access my Samba/NAS storage

Summary so far: Starts faster than WinXP, seems to be operating faster, too, but so far, it hardly had to process a lot of data. Installation was ok - but I think a non-IT person would have given up on a few occasions.

Ok, second try did not succeed either, but I remembered from work that there was a text-based installation available. Of course on a different downloadable CD image. Anyway, Ubuntu is installed now. Now let's get to customizing. Or stumbling around andtrying to find out what you need and what the name of that program might be. Oh and download 180 MB of updates...

Suggestions are welcome...

Lucky me got to use an older laptop of a friend. However, it is usually rather slow when booting up and loading programs due to its limited memory size. Therefore it cannot replace my current desktop computer as a productive workstation. Since I am using more and more tools online, the laptop basically needs to provide me only with internetaccess and office applications. Oh and instant messaging of course. Which means in that I really do not need a super fast up to date laptop anyway. However, I am getting tired of always waiting for it to start up and since I had to install Ubuntu at my workplace, I am going to try to use it on my laptop as well. Hope it will perform better.

For the sake of blogging, I think I will write a little about the process of installing it. Since I am still new to linux (only used it occasionally) you shoudl not expect a highly sophistaced report here.

Last night, I copied all data from the laptop to my NAS, inserted a fresh bootable Ubuntu CD, selected the obvious "start and install" option and then waited and waited and waited to it load. It loaded and loaded and loaded and then I switch it off and went to sleep. I should not take 40 minutes for a live CD to boot the system. And it seemed far from being done.

Ok, new day, new try.