kubuntu question

[Raichu]

I have some newbie questions about Kubuntu...

1. Is there anywhere were I can find out what software comes with the latest Kubuntu?

I currently have Fedora Core 4 but I would like to upgrade to something more up to date. I prefer the polished feel of Kubuntu but I want to check what it's got to make sure it will meet my needs.

2. If there's other software I would like is it easy to find and install?

For example, FC4 has stuff like Kiten (Japanese dictionary), GIMP, K3b, Klipper that I find indispensable.

3. My PC is fairly old now. Am I likely to experience any problems with the latest (Gutsy or whatever its called)?

FYI I once installed an old version of Kubuntu (before Feisty) and it worked fine, but graphics on FC4 run slower than when I boot Windows XP on the same computer.

[ponygirldefiance]

Re: kubuntu question

well you might try the desktop cd you are suppoe to be able to play with the Kubuntu system without changing your settings this should give you an idea about what it offers.

as far as the programs you listed they are all in the 7.04 and im sure they should be in the new 7.10

there is always a chance to experience problems with any OS you install. the 7.04 seems to be working ok. the 7.10 has just been released on thursday so im sure it will have a good chance to have a glitch here and there but no worse then anything else out there. i have not personally heard of any thing bad about it yet just some people were trying to figure out how to upgrade and move things to the new system.

im sure some other people will be able to give you more details then this but its a start.
good luck with 7.10

[opie]

Re: kubuntu question

On the performance question fc4 was 2.6 kernel and 3.4 kde so it isn't horribly out of date. I doubt you will suffer too much. I run dapper on an 800mhz p3 laptop with 256MB ram and it is acceptable. Dapper should have support for another year and a half or so, if you would prefer not to run the very latest.

As ponygirldefiance said you can always burn the livecd and simply run it off cd for a while. Of course performance won't be as fast as it would be off the hard drive, but it gives you a chance to play around without mucking with your hard drive or multiboot issues.

You can search the package database for ubuntu here:
https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+search?

Unless you are running something really unusual you shouldn't need to compile anything yourself. There should be packages that meet your needs for nearly anything you are trying to accomplish.

[jayson.rowe]

Re: kubuntu question

In my experience - unlike Windows, versions of Linux Distributions do not always get "slower" when a new version comes out - sometimes they get faster...

I've been running pretty much only Kubuntu on my laptop since 5.10, and with the exception of Edgy (6.10) which was a disaster for me, it seems to get a little snappier each time, and Gutsy has been the snappiest yet.

BTW, my laptop is hardly cutting edge - IBM Thinkpad R40 w/ 1.5 Pentium M 512MB RAM.

[Raichu]

Re: kubuntu question

Thanks for the idea of using a live CD to try it out.

My son got Ubuntu 7.10 and he also had the previous one. I tried them both. Miserable failure.

Gets to the startup screen. I hit startup. 7.4 dies during the loading bar. 7.10 gets to load but then just sits there doing nothing.

Oh well, I'm pretty well stuck with a Fedora 4. I'm happy with it, it's just Firefox fails to connect and the Konqueror I've got is so old it can't handle some web sites.

[Fintan]

Re: kubuntu question

Gets to the startup screen. I hit startup. 7.4 dies during the loading bar. 7.10 gets to load but then just sits there doing nothing.

What is your Hardware setup? maybe some can help