Customer Reviews

Ubuntu Linux Complete Edition 8.04

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Okay, this is not a bad review of Ubuntu Linux as I have been using it for a while now and like it. Rather this is a poor review of this particular offering and it's description (lack thereof).

Like any software (operating systems in particular) Ubuntu has ongoing releases with version numbers. Ubuntu releases a new updated version every six months and as of this review the latest release is v8.04.

This listing does not mention what version of Ubuntu is being sold! They could be selling the latest version OR they could be selling 3 versions ago. Who knows? That is strike one.

Additionally, while the all of the functional bits of the operating system can be burned to a single CD-ROM (as this listing indicates) it is not "complete". Additional software and updates are located in the Ubuntu Repositories. Repositories are centralized software locations where you can obtain additional features and programs that are not installed on a "default" system. The Ubuntu Repositories are hosted online but there is a an official version where the Repositories have been burned to disc, but this is not it.

For that you need the DVD-ROM which has both the complete OS AND the Ubuntu Repositories. Additionally, to save enough space to squeeze v8.04 onto a CD, quite a few "whiz bang" features were left in the repositories.

Rather than this product I would highly recommend purchasing the official DVD package from Canonical (the actual distro supporter). It is both more complete and less expensive!

Ubuntu 8.04 DVD

If you are not sure about using Ubuntu Linux and want some sort of "personal helpline" visit Canonical's offical site to purchase support or visit the Ubuntu Forums for free.

The requirements listed might be confusing. Ubuntu is an operating system (it is a version of Linux). You would run Ubuntu *instead* of running MS Windows or Mac OS. (It is, however, possible to keep Windows or Mac OS on your disk and choose which to boot.)

Once you are running Ubuntu you will have a ton of free software to run. Some will be installed when you install Ubuntu, others you can easily install from inside Ubuntu.

One benefit of Ubuntu is that it is more reliable and more secure than Windows.

Another benefit is that it is "open source" software. That is, anyone (at least any programmer who understands it) can get a copy of the source code and see how it works, and even make changes. With open source software it is completely legal to pass on copies to others; it is even encouraged.

Ubuntu is available for free for download if you have a fast internet connection, though if you buy this product you also get 60-days of technical support, which might be very helpful.

I just want to second what the previous reviewer wrote: Ubuntu Linux is a great linux distribution, but buy it from CANONICAL (go to [...]) - or some other linux store.

If you have a good network connection, you don't need the DVD version because everything you really will want (in addition to what comes with the operating system install) you can get quickly from the internet using the administrative software called SynAPTic.

This is one of the easiest distributions to run for the person just starting with linux and I recommend it. That being said, if you are a gamer, this is probably not for you as it seems all the best games are on the Mac/Windows platforms. There ARE games available, but I think because most linux users like their software free or cheap, game studios that did develop for linux have more or less stopped developing.

The standard suite of card games, board games and the like are installed automatically.

Ubuntu also comes with Firefox, [...] (a fantastic freeware "Microsoft Office" clone), A great email product called Evolution, editors, music players, etc. The list of software available for quick install over the internet is just way too long to know where to begin listing it.

There are many comparisons of linux vs. Windows/Mac OS X out there and many reviews as well (mostly from Windows or OS X users). I happen to be an OS "junky" and have used and run just about every desktop operating system known on my computers. The difference between linux and the others is that linux is designed to be highly customizable, whereas the other two (Win/OS X) are designed to be installed and run without the user having to think at all. Because of this, the user has to be slightly more involved with the workings of the operating system; but in this case, or should I say 90% of the time, a user can simply pop the Ubuntu CD/DVD in a drive, install and away he or she goes. It really is that simple. For the other 10% of the time, the Ubuntu forums (or purchasing technical support) or Google is the way to go.

Next, I will mention Synaptic. Synaptic (based on APT) is a software packaging system that is simply magical. You use it to install or remove software on your computer. You select what you want to install (which is no easy task if you are a software collector like me, since there are literally thousands of packages available), hit the Apply button and the magic begins: Synaptic checks the package against your own system, determines what libraries and configuration will be necessary, tells you in simple terms what it will do, then does it. That's it. No "DLL Hell" as they call it, not conflicts (or if there will be, it tells you what it can do to fix it or gives you the option to stop the install).

Finally I want to write briefly about "free software and drivers." Linux is about open source and Canonical (Ubuntu) carries that tradition on in many ways, but one of the ways most frequently mentioned (and berated by reviewers) is drivers. By default, all the graphic and sound support that is installed is free, as in it was written by people in the community and the sources are offered up with no strings attached. To get the NON-FREE (which does NOT mean that you have to PAY, it simply means that the SOURCE CODE is not available for your use) software and drivers, you simply open the "Software Sources" administrative application, click one checkbox, "Software restricted by copyright...", refresh the package list (it will prompt you to do that) and the latest version of Ubuntu will actually PROMPT you to quickly install a driver whenever you try to play a sound format that is restricted, or if you click on "Hardware Drivers" in the administration applications, and there is a restricted video driver available, it will again prompt you and install it for you.

I am running Ubunty 8.10 (year, 200[8], month [10] - that is how they number their operating systems). A new release is due on 9.04. With every release Ubuntu becomes easier to use, and more fun to play with. I highly recommend it.

this one is very old, full of bugs, doesn't have drivers for most of today's components, crashes like crazy on newer computers. The current ubuntu ia 10.04 LTS

This was my first experience with Ubuntu (have used Linux on my PC in the distant past). I actually bought the CD at the store and paid $18. I bought it not knowing it was not the "full" distribution (see Sarah's review below) and also not knowing I was getting ripped off because the full distribution DVD actually cost half the price!

Having said that, 18 bucks was the right price for me as I needed something for that day and did not have time to mess around with burning a Linux CD.... it worked perfectly on my laptop and I booted Ubuntu off the CD (I never actually installed it on the hard drive). WiFi worked immediately and the user interface seemed very "Windows" familiar.

Lastly, I was able to find an answer to all my questions with a simple google search of the documentation/forums.

Bottom line: Assuming you this OS in the store and see no alternatives AND you need to get right then and there AND you don't mind overpaying 9-8 dollars, then this product it right for you.

PS - Amazing how far Linux has come since the last time I used it 4-5 years ago. Pretty sure I would never buy Windows with a new PC again

I highly recommend Ubuntu. I have been using it in place of Mac OS X on my iMac and it works wonderfully. For more about that check out my blog at [...]

Ubuntu is very easy to get acquainted with and has a slew of free software tools to replace what you are normally used to on your Mac or Windows. While most of the necessary tools come with Ubuntu, it offers an easy way of scouring the internet in search of more via its Synaptic Package Manager. Simply click "Add/Remove" and you can find any software title you want.

But I think my favorite part of Ubuntu, compared to other operating systems, is the ease with which you can theme it, making it look how you want. You can change just about anything to suit your taste.

This version 8 "Complete Edition" is both old, and incomplete. The current version is 10.10 not this 8.04, it is like offering Windows 98 in 2011. After reading reviews here I got one for what I thought was very cheap on final "borders" sale (no returns). As I learned very quickly that it is outdated, no longer supported version of Ubuntu. It even looks different from the current version. What a shame. Don't buy this junk.

Don't get me wrong, eventually I found and installed the right Ubuntu and it's nice. But before it happened I was reading the reviews here of this edition and eventually purchased the box on my local store "closure" sale. Eventually, after many frustrated evenings I learned how old and buggy it is and threw it away.
It is beyond me, why these obsolete and outdated linuxes of past are still offered? It confuses beginners like me and not that many people would try it again after that. New Ubuntu is great, but don't repeat my mistake, don't buy this outdated set.

I've watched with interest at the O/S's development. I've also had a lot of frustration trying to get many of the functions to work especially multi-media.

After upgrading to Ubuntu 9.04 I think, I hope and I have my fingers crossed that Linux (Ubuntu) has finally crossed over to an O/S that almost anyone can install on there computer almost as easy as MicroSuck's Windoze O/S (anyone who has tried to install MSuck O/S knows it can be a real pain).

Every device I plugged in including a USB floppy drive, a Seagate external hard drive, two mice, and a HP all-in-one printer that is only a few months old were immediately detected and the modules loaded perfectly. The only thing that didn't come off perfectly was the graphics acceleration software I needed for my NVidea 8800 GT graphics card. I had an SLI set-up, but evidently the Xorg config file couldn't cope with the two cards and X11 kept crashing until I pulled one of them and then the graphics acceleration module that the Ubuntu developers put together worked perfectly.

The time it takes Ubuntu to start up makes MSuck O/S look like a snail. Same with the speed of opening programs 'cause there isn't all those so called extensions dragging down the system resources.

The only complaint I have now, and the only thing I can't do that I could with MSuck is watch instant movies on netflix.com, but this isn't Linux's (Ubuntu) fault. It's netflix.com and I let them know about it.

The circle is complete . . . Linux is ready for prime time.

Oh ya . . . the complaint about only one CD in this edition . . . Debian's complete iso collection is 4 4.8Gb DVD's. Ya can install Ubuntu in 20 minutes, then use the add/remove program utility to download any other program you want from the almost unlimited collection of FREE packages on their repositories, thousands of programs that MicroSuck would scam you hundreds of dollars for. Ubuntu also instantly reminds you of security updates.

Linux (Ubuntu) based on Unix which was designed specifically with security in mind makes all the Linux distro's extremely virus and malware resistant, and some computer technically savy users simply do not use a firewall, anti-virus or malware program. I don't recommend this but there are free solutions to this too like Avast! anti-virus, one of the most highly rated on the market, for free home use with Linux. And there are free firewalls too.

Look . . . if you are a newbie to computers you will have to ask someone to install and configure MicroSuck's Bigtime XP or Vista anyway. You might as well buy this O/S for $20 measly bucks and then ask someone to help you install it, AND then you don't have to get it from behind by purchasing Microsoft Office Professional 2007, and all their other sucky stuff for $365.99 (amazon.com price). Heck, OpenOffice, the equivalent of Microsoft Office Professional 2007 is FREE man. What are you waiting for.

I didn't give it five stars because it didn't detect my NVidia SLI graphics card set up, and I had to download some codecs to get my DVD video players to work (they couldn't include the codecs for some legal BS reason), and ya basically cannot play very many high end games on it (that's what I use computers for 90% of the time) unless ya use Wine which is still in the development stage and ya need a lot of work to get bleeding edge games to work.

This UNIVERSAL software DID NOT work with Macbook OS X Leopard. If THIS is what YOU have then the product may not work I TRIED EVERYTHING but nothing worked