Update #2 Beginning of the End

Warning/Disclaimer/etc.: computer talk is about to happen!!!!

I run a multi-boot computer system = more than one operating system on my computer. I have Windows 2000 Professional and Zenwalk 5.2 (<-that's Linux/GNU) on one computer with room for more. I also have a partition set up for Zenwalk to test new packages. That leaves me room for one other OS. I have always tried to find a way to like Ubuntu/Xubuntu, but with every release there has always been something that turns me right off. With the release of Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron, I decided to work through and give it a real go.

Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop, I'm use to XFCE - I prefer that, but am willing to learn new things. I figure that I should probably learn how Debian based distros work compared to Slack-based ones.

Having tried Ubuntu/Xubuntu in the past, I was somewhat familiar with the set-up, and knew the forums were where all the info was. So, I partitioned the hard drive accordingly, keeping Zenwalk as default and using LILO:

• sda1 Windows 2000 Pro
• sda5 swap
  
• sda6 Zenwalk 5.2
• sda3 Ubuntu 8.04
• sda4 Zenwalk - TESTING
• sdb1 /home

At the time, sda was a 10gig hard drive, and sdb was 40 gig. Yeah, I know, hindsight 20/20, blah, blah, blah...Everything went fine, until wireless. I use a Linksys WMP54GS wireless for my desktop.

• desktop - Dell Dimension 4300
• Linksys WMP54GS - Broadcom 4318 rev 02

Broadcom wireless seems to be a nightmare with Linux. I had no problem with Zenwalk and just installing the drivers with Ndiswrapper. Ubuntu was a whole other disaster. I found this post in the Ubuntu forums, (36 odd pages long), but it worked for me. My only problem was, my wireless would disconnect after 1 day or 2.

Regardless, I got it all set up with Ubuntu, and clicked on the automatic upgrade. Results: not enough room on disc, etc. = I needed a bigger hard drive. I pulled a 20 gig out of something I had laying around, but now I had to reformat, and re-install everything.

After shuffling around hard drives, and a half hour with GPartEd, I was set to re-install Windows; then Zenwalk; the Ubuntu; etc. Ubuntu was last on the list, but when I got there, it got my full attention - and I was familiar with setting up the wireless.

So, I have everything running - now on wired internet - and Zenwalk is doing fine. Ubuntu, I think I need to spend some more time tweaking, but the forums seem a little overwhelming at times.

Overall, I'm digging the latest Ubuntu; I really want to like it, and this release has gotten me as close as I have ever been to liking it. I prefer the LTS versions over the the other releases, but will try every one that comes out.......waiting to find one that suits me.

On a side note: if you are a Gnome type of person, check this out: Zenwalk released a Gnome Edition.

Scott

P.S. The entire time of me trying to get this sorted, all the kids wanted to see on "Daddy's computer" was this:

Ok, the picture is at the top, I haven't figured out how to work too many of these things yet; but all they want to see/hear is Jerry Garcia on my computer - I really, truly don't know where they get it from...........honest...........

Update #1

First and foremost, many apologies for not updating sooner. It has been beyond insane from the end of July until now. I'll get to all the sordid details in due time, but let me just say "Thank god summer is over!"

Brief run-down of how it all went to hell:

• wife's been working overtime for most of the summer
• late July - nightmare with computer while trying to install Ubuntu 8.04 and get wireless working - reformatted all four operating systems 4 or 5 times - ugh!
  
• early August - combined B-Day party for Darth Punkin and her apprentice
• mid- August - trip to Annapolis, MD for my brother's wedding - 7 hour drive (broken up over two days) with two kids, and no beer! BONUS: Mapquest lied!
  
• 5 days in Maryland where if it could go wrong - it did; and just when we're saying "what next?", what next was happening
• 7 hour drive home that took over 10 1/2 hours in one day
• returned home on a Tues., our neighbors took both (still exhausted)kids (on Labor Day weekend) to an amusement park that totally made them more exhausted
• Unleash Darth Punkin on the local Pre-Kindergarten - we warned them
• back to trying to put our house back together
• trying to find some of the marbles I have lost these few weeks, and repair any/all damage to my liver ;)

I'll get in to more detail as time permits, for each stage of my journey into the various levels of hell, and their very funny moments.

One of the more humorous moments recently:

If the weather's nice enough, the kids usually want to have lunch on the front page and watch all the cars/trucks/motorcycles go by. I was in the kitchen getting my lunch ready, when all of a sudden:

Darth Punkin: Daddddddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Dad: what?
Darth: Tommy killed this little baby bug...(holding little baby bug in hand)
Dad: Tommy, did you do that?
Boy-Child: yesssss........
Dad: ok, let me see it Em....
Darth: ok Daddy, but be careful, he's dead
Dad: ok Em,.................actually, he's ok, let's put him in the yard with his friends
Darth: ok Daddy......that'll make him happy..........
Dad: ok, go back and eat up your lunch, and don't kill any more bugs, ok Tommy?
Boy: kkkkk
I walk back to the kitchen to finish making my lunch, when I hear:
Darth: that's right Tommy, you heard Daddy, no more killin'!
Boy: kk

Just the way she said it made it sound like my 2 year old was on the way to insect genocide. I practically broke a rib laughing so hard.

Anyhoo.........this is a great way to end this much overdue update: