My Machine...

I've been using this machine for a month now. This is a second-hand IBM ThinkPad R31 (2656-L6U).

• Processor : Intel Celeron 1.2 Ghz
• 1Gb RAM
• 13.1 XGA (1024 x 768) 8MB integrated memory
• 40Gb HDD
• 8x DVD-ROM
• Ethernet
• 802.11b wireless/Modem(MPCI)

I never really wanted to have a high-end machine to try Ubuntu since its promise is to make old hardware to run and be useful again. I'm happy with this machine.

I'm currently, using Ubuntu (Hardy Heron) 8.04 and its running well except for the trackpoint that goes crazyfrom time to time. Ubuntu Forums says the cause was hardware related and not Ubuntu. Workaround is to edit /boot/grub/menu.lst and add "i8042.nomux=1" on boot (click here). Compiz works in this machine very well. (edit: (05/03/2008) Compiz freezes the machine)

The first machine I used last January was also a ThinkPad but its an IBM ThinkPad R30 (2656-40J). Its a much lower specs than my current. Its a Celeron 800mhz and has 384RAM (then upgraded t0 768 RAM). I've tried many Linux distro on that machine. OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Dreamlinux, Linux Mint, Elive, Foresight, Zenwalk... and a lot more (I can't remember all right now) but I still ended up with Ubuntu (I believe it was love at first sight in 2006, hehehehe).

Then only problem I encountered with the R30 is than when I boot the Live CD I need to add additional boot options "floppy=thinkpad pci=noacpi" to boot properly. Xorg doesn't recognized the video card of this machine. The R30 uses a old Trident Cyberblade card. I was able to install Ubuntu Gutsy properly but Ubuntu Hardy only gives 800 x 600 resolution.... and no Compiz Fusion.

Welcome...

Just to keep this blog site started... I'd like to welcome everyone for visiting.

I'm a complete Ubuntu newbie. I just started to use Ubuntu on a full-time basis just last January 2008 when I purchased a second hand IBM ThinkPad.

I've heard about Ubuntu and was able to try it's Live CD since 2006. I think that was Ubuntu 6.06 LTS. I was impressed with its usability because for something that its FREE I get a complete OS solution. I have everything I need for word processing and desktop publishing (OpenOffice), Instant Messaging (GAIM/Pidgin), and Web Surfing (Firefox) out of the box.

For four months... Ubuntu have been a journey for me. My greatest achievement to-date is that I was able to convert my family (this includes a 60 year old mom and 2 "Windows baby" sister) to Linux especially to Ubuntu. Their using our desktop PC now for almost a month already.

I'll be posting my discoveries, problems, and frustrations with Ubuntu on this blog which I hope will be helpful to other newbies in the future.

Hope you guys enjoy your own Ubuntu journey. Thanks!