Ubuntu 9.10 via Wubi Review

My Thoughts on Ubuntu 9.10 via Wubi


Installation:
In the installation of Ubuntu through Wubi, was surprisingly easy! All you really had to do was open up Wubi, it found the already downloaded Ubuntu disc, and it installed in seconds! I had to reboot afterwards to actually install it on the Drive, but, that took no longer then 5 minutes! Man, it takes about that to load the files FOR Windows! During the installation it detects all of your hardware, so no need to worry about not having drivers. I'd give installation a 5/5!


First Thoughts (Post installation)
When I logged into Ubuntu, I felt excited! I was really eager to try out a new operation system. I had always been wary of Free OS's, I never knew what to expect, but after all the good things I had heard around NBR, I felt it was time to try it. First I had installed it on an old Desktop, but soon found no use for the desktop as I had a laptop, and to be honest, had no room for the thing on my desk! So I went a while without Linux. A few week's ago, I decided to install it again. I ended up having to format due to BSOD! But never mind – Lucky I did have my Ubuntu installed, or all my files would've been lost!! Not all my hardware was detected; the built-in wireless card was not, so I had to find the old PCMCIA Wifi card that I had bought for an old laptop I had. Once that had been plugged in, within .1 second of entering in my Wireless Key, I was up and already connected to the Internet. First Thoughts 4/5


Included Software:
The included software is a nice add-on for Ubuntu users. There would be no hope of getting this kind of pampering from Microsoft. Most of your software installed is quite useful, it includes software like Gimp – for Photo Editing, Firefox – for Internet browsing, Evolution Mail – for you email needs, plus many more additions, that are just fantastic. Also having the option of using Ubuntu Software Center to download FREE Open Source software is amazing. You can pick from, I'm guessing, thousands of Software titles, that are used for any type of computing needs, I bet I could find a piece of Linux software to replace my Windows Software! No joke. Included Software 5/5


Usability:
People may ask, is Linux really usable? From my point of view, yes, yes it is. A lot more then Windows. Does Windows include a wide variety of FREE software, available through a simple link? Is Windows free? I found Ubuntu to be very user friendly, in terms of finding things such as Themes, My Documents, etc etc. I find it quite amazing actually, that, in Windows, by now, I would not be typing this up. Serious. I would still be installing Drivers. I would honestly recommend Linux to people who are just starting out in the Computer world, and to those who are far beyond the computer world and love to try things out! I give usability 5/5


Wubi:
Now for test. Is Wubi really that good? My answer, yes. I think it could replace Dual Booting via Dual Partitions. Having used Xbuntu on my Desktop, I find no slow down, whatsoever on Wubi, and Would strongly recommend it to people who do no want to muck around with Partitions and so forth.


Conclusion:
If you are considering using Linux, do it. Many people will say that it's the change for the better. After 20 minutes of use, I'm already loving it over Vista! But honestly, install it with Wubi, it won't effect your computer, if you don't like it, uninstall it the same way you would a regular program!

Cheers,
Joel.


Links:
Wubi Installer: http://wubi-installer.org/
Download Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download

 

WUBI is a nice easy way to try out linux to see if you like it. Later if you find you DO like it you may want to dump your WUBI install and do a proper dual boot install by giving unbuntu / linux its own dedicated partition. Doing so gives the advantage of better disk performamce and if windows should become mucked / borked and you are unable to boot into windows you should be still able to boot into ubuntu .

 

A refreshing slant on a linux install. Good for the uninitiated. Nice write up.
+1

 

so you think it offers a stable alternative to dual booting via dedicated partition?

 

No, What I'm trying to say that it can be an alternative for people who are unfamiliar with partitioning/dual boot, or for people who want to try it out without affecting there computer.

 

I find that flash support in Linux is really getting better and better.

 

Nice review. Hopefully it will encourage more people to give it a try.

One point I'd like to add is that the Wubi uninstaller is prone to failure. Manual uninstalls are pretty easy and the instructions easy to find, but it's as well to be prepared.

It's also possible to convert a wubi installed Ubuntu installation into a partition based one, not that I've ever done it.

 

Thanks for the heads up, I think I'll keep Ubuntu under Wubi atleast until I get my new HDD sometime in the near future, then install it under a dedicated partition.

 

Is Wubi some sort of virtual machine? How does it work?

 

i think not.

this is my (very limited) understanding on wubi:
wubi installs ubuntu on windows partition and allows it to run as a stand-alone OS. with vm, ubuntu is running under the host OS

 

Yes, this is correct, Wubi run's Linux under it's own Windows Partition that is just like a program installed on your computer, meaning you can uninstall it via the add/remove programs list just like any ordinary program.

 

I'm not exactly sure, as I have not had to do anything like that, but maybe some other people around here can give you a hand. If I find anything from Google, I'll give you a hoy. If you had uninstalled Ubuntu 9.04 before hand, I know there are some problems uninstalling Wubi. Have a look over at the Ubuntu Forums(Sorry NBR!)