I have been using Linux for almost two years now, however two weeks ago I became frustrated with some of the shortcomings of Linux. I formated my notebook and installed Windows XP on it. I develop software for several companies, so there are lots of tools and applications that need to be installed. After two days everything was installed and I was back in business. I took a total of three days of using Windows again to remember why I quit using it full time in the first place. It really does suck. Between to constant array of blue screens, lockups and other stupid problems. I always love it when you have two programs that just can not be installed on the same program. It didn’t take long for me to be back on Linux. So I am happily back on Ubuntu Dapper Drake.

One of the first things I did after getting back on Ubuntu was to get the NetworkManager working. This is used for configuring wireless networks and works almost as good as the wireless ability in Windows. It also supports both WEP and WPA without any extra configuration. The steps to install NetworkManager are:

sudo apt-get install network-manager-gnome
sudo gtk-update-icon-cache -f /usr/share/icons/hicolor/
sudo cp /etc/network/interfaces /etc/network/interfaces.back

Edit the file interfaces so only the following lines are left:
# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

Then a quick reboot and you should be ready to go. If you are using KDE then you can install network-manager-kde. If you do not edit the interfaces file then NetworkManager will not be able to control the nic cards.
sudo vi /etc

My new computer finally came in this week. It only took about two hours before it was being formated and Linux installed on it. I install Ubuntu Dapper Drake on it. so far I love the new computer, with the exception on the keyboard. The layout of the keys is very different that any other notebook that I have had, or used. I created a quick little shell script to configure my computer after doing an install. After installing the OS, I set the root password, switch to su and then run the script. At that point, it is a case of walk away and get something to eat.


#!/bin/bash
# System setup script.

# Update the software repositories ...
cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list_backup
echo "" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
echo "deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security universe multiverse" >> /etc/apt/sources.list
apt-get -y --force-yes update

# Update the kernel packages ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install linux-686 linux-headers-686 linux-image-686 linux-restricted-modules-686 nvidia-glx
apt-get -y --force-yes remove linux-386 linux-headers-386 linux-image-386

# Update to enable a NVidia GeForce 6800 vidio card ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install nvidia-glx
nvidia-glx-config enable

# Install the development files ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install build-essential gcc-3.4 g++-3.4 make fakeroot java-package
apt-get -y --force-yes install mysql-admin mysql-query-browser mysql-server mysql-server eclipse-sdk monodevelop

# Install internet applications ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install mozilla-thunderbird bluefish gftp openvpn apache2 samba gsfonts gsfonts-x11

# Install multimedia applications ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install xine-ui libmad0 vlc vlc-plugin-alsa easytag audacity xmms k3b gnomebaker vorbis-tools
apt-get -y --force-yes install gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-gl gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse
apt-get -y --force-yes install libxine-extracodecs ffmpeg lame faad sox mjpegtools mozilla-mplayer gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse
dpkg -i libdvdcss.deb

wget ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat/pool/main/w/w32codecs/w32codecs_20050412-0.0_i386.deb
dpkg -i w32codecs_20050412-0.0_i386.deb

# Install graphics applications ...
apt-get -y --force-yes install f-spot

# CD burning software ... (requires Nero windows license)
wget ftp://ftp4.usw.nero.com/nerolinux-2.0.0.5-x86.deb
dpkg -i nerolinux-2.0.0.5-x86.deb

# Install java support ...
# Note for creating the java packages can be found here:
# https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RestrictedFormats#head-e2ebd70ede0e3eb2117ffbd618d2295dd1540dca
dpkg -i sun-j2re1.5_1.5.0+update06_i386.deb
dpkg -i sun-j2sdk1.5_1.5.0+update06_i386.deb
update-alternatives --config java

# Update the system ...
apt-get -y --force-yes dist-upgrade


You may have to make some changes to fit your system. I am running a Pentium M, so I wand the 686 kernel image. If you are running a Athlon XP you would set the kernel version to k7, or 386. A quick google search should let you know which version will work for you.

Well that is all for now …