Ubuntu blues

[Peter Damoc]

On Thu, 9 Dec 2004 11:06:02 +0100, Jeff Waugh <jeff.waugh at canonical.com> wrote:

> <quote who="Peter Damoc">
>
>> First, the system is a K6 500 MHz with 192 Mb RAM and a 4.3 Gb HDD
>>
>> Thoughts:
>> 1. GNOME could be an overkill;  and after I managed to start GNOME it felt
>> like a virus infected install of windows, the cursor moved in slow motion,
>> the programs allowed me to go get refreshments in the time they took to
>> start. What gives? I think Ubuntu should provide a light alternative for
>> older system. Pick one (I vote for ROX) and make it integrate with the rest
>> of ubuntu.
>
> If the cursor is moving slowly, you have bigger problems than just GNOME. It
> could be a simple cursor speed issue, but it could be a bad video driver, a
> process pulling 100%, etc.

My guess is that it could be a video card problem.... the video card is an old ATI Rage II... I think...
a process pulling 100% on a fresh install? hmm.... I guess that process could be the GNOME ;)

> It would be cool to see XFCE being actively maintained in universe, for
> anyone using older machines.

It could be very cool indeed, I'm not fussy XFCE, ROX, IceWM any of these will do for me

>> 3.My bro is 8. The first thing he asked me was "where are the games"? He
>> was very disappointed when I told him that he couldn't use the CDs with
>> games from other kids but got over that when I showed him that there are
>> some games. My sister is a little bit older and she too was very upset with
>> me when I told her that her MP3 CDs don't work BUT she to got over when I
>> promised that I'll fix that and when I introduced her to The Gimp as a
>> replacement for Paint ;)
>
> There are quite a few games in universe, but you're out of luck with Windows
> games unless you use Wine or one of the commercially supported versions.

Is universe on the CD? :o) I guess he's to young for Doom3 or HalfLife ;) so... for now I'll let him master the Tetris ;)

>> So... Why not a Ubuntu-Kid version?
>
> Certainly an interesting idea for a future Ubuntu derivative.

Not an Ubuntu derivative! I don't want an Ubuntu derivative! What I want is for Ubuntu to look into that segment too.
Ubuntu-Kid should be something produced by Canonical as part of the Ubuntu project. Like Ubuntu-LiveCD.
I think that a lot of parents would prefer to install a targeted distribution on their kids machines.
There are a lot of parents that could find this interesting. Think about it! A kid does not have tons of Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint files, a kid does not need Adobe Premiere, a kid is not locked in by Microsoft... yet!
There is the issue of games.... but still... young kids don't necessarily need complex 3D games... they can be fascinated by simpler stuff, stuff that Linux has, stuff that a parent doesn't have to cough up money for.
Ubuntu-Kid could have a hidden benefit too... if the idea catches it could provide a market for game houses... if more and more parents chose to install Ubuntu-Kid because it provides more value maybe the game houses will see that as a target and start producing games for Linux too... after all is not such a big effort as most important game engines are crossplatform, supporting multiple platforms could be an issue but if they see money... that too will become irrelevant.

>> I know there are distributions that are more friendly to older systems or
>> that have more games BUT why not Ubuntu? I know it takes some effort but...
>> there are a lot of people who wanna help. Place a bounty, ask the
>> developers... I won't be surprised if you get help from the developers of
>> certain programs for free just because you, as an important entity
>> (Canonical) asked. For many if might be something to write on an CV
>> ..."I've worked with Canonical LTD on the integration of FooBarXtreme with
>> Ubuntu Linux".
>
> There's lots of room for helping maintain packages in universe and in the
> future, creating targeted derivatives of Ubuntu.

yes there is... but ask yourself is there also lots of motivation? How about putting out some incentives?
Like maybe an official Canonical diploma for 6 months maintaining something... even if its an obscure package from universe.  Such a diploma will certainly make a seasoned programmer smile BUT it would provide a highschool kid with UbberGeek status or it could be something nice to hang on a dorm wall.
How about a bug squashing competition with a nice PDA or maybe a smartphone as the prize?

-- 
Peter Damoc
jack of all trades, master of none
http://www.sigmacore.net/