To do list after installing Ubuntu 11.10

http://debianhelp.wordpress.com/201...r-installing-ubuntu-11-10-aka-oneiric-ocelot/

For google earth download latest package from site. I don't think it matters at all whether one chooses the 64 bit or the 32 bit version as the so called 64 bit version is 32 bit. On a 64 bit OS all the 32 bit libs etc. will be pulled in.
After install the fonts will be huge and 'funny'. To fix that, install the mscorefonts and then log out. On logging in the fonts will be fine.

 

To me, the first thing in Canonical's to do list should be to provide DVD playback out of the box. Since Ubuntu does not provide it; thus, I'm using LinuxMint. Ubuntu cannot expect to be a major player competing with Windows when most users would wonder why is it my DVD movies are not playing on Ubuntu?

Needless to say that most people who are not technically savyy would ditch Ubuntu based upon that fact alone. I know, I know, it is a matter of convenience but DVD playback is a basic feature that all operating systems must provide out of the box.

Come on Canonical wake up.

Thanks.

 

Ubuntu has to follow FSF principles but DVD and all codecs are quite easy to install.

 

@ Linuxforall

That's not the point.


Thanks.

 

Why blame Ubuntu here...


DVD playback options for Windows

If you're running an edition of Windows without full DVD playback capability, you might need to install a compatible DVD decoder (also known as an MPEG-2 decoder) or upgrade your edition of Windows before continuing with the following activities:

Playing a DVD

Playing a recorded TV show

Playing video files that were encoded with the MPEG-2 codec (.mpeg, .mpg, and some .avi files)

For Windows 7: If you're running Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Starter, you can upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium, Ultimate, or Enterprise to add full DVD capability.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/windows-media-player/dvd-codecs

In Ubuntu, all you need to do is go to software center to enable DVD playback, plain and simple but of course, there is MINT which is an excellent Ubuntu derivative, there is Sabayon, PCLOS which do DVD right out of the box.

 

So a person would find it easier, after having installed Ubuntu, to remove it and install another distro rather than just download the necessary software from the Ubuntu Software Center?

And we're talking of "most people who are not technically savyy"?

I don't agree.

 

That's is still not the point. By the way for geeks like us DVD playback is a non issue. However, for non-geeks it is quite a another story. . Beside just by going in software center and enable DVD playback will not enable automatically DVD playback; you will still have to use terminal and execute the following code:

sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

Canonical needs to provide DVD playback out of the box just like Mint and other Ubuntu based distros do provide.

Thanks.

 

The key term here is "DVD playback out of the box". However, you may disagree . At Wilders most people are geeks; However, the world does not revolve around Wilders nor any other security forums. There are a lot of people in the world that have not even heard of the term Linux let alone for them to know what it is. Imagine their surprise once the become aware of what linux is and just by curiosity try it only to find out that their DVDs cannot play.

Now if they are struggling with windows, do you actually think they would care to find out how they would enable DVD playback. Probably most of them would say: Wait a minute what kind of operating system that cannot even play DVDs?

Thanks.

 

In that case you use MINT, plain and simple or any other distro, you don't have to buy or upgrade like in case of Windows 7. My point is policies are there for a reason, be it Windows or Ubuntu but then one has a choice while in other the choice has to be purchased.

 

If a user is smart enough to install ubuntu or any other OS then installing the packages for dvd playback wouldn't be an issue. opensuse,mandriva,fedora etc dont have dvd playback out of the box support. if someone new to linux gives up on such a small hurdle they shouldnt be using linux. Linux is different to windows you have to give yourself some time to familiarise yourself with it.

 

@ Lodore

Well then, if what you said is true Linux will always be considered an operating system for the few, as far as Ubuntu is concerned. A good operating system should provide the best user experience out of the box; and DVD playback out of the box is as basic as the spinning wheel. No sudo this and terminal that required. Don't you think? .

Thanks.

 

You do not mean those policies you are talking about only apply to Ubuntu, no? Do these policies also apply to Mint or any other distributions that provide DVD playback out of the box?

Thanks.

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, Ubuntu follows FSF guidelines, MINT has choice not to. Fedora is even stricter with that so proprietary drivers and other items are not there by default and a PITA to install if one needs to do so.

 

@ Linux For All

That is probably why LinuxMint is catching up to Ubuntu when it comes to popularity.

Canonical has a choice to make and it is the following: To revolve around the geek world or to expand to most demographics. To me I would think Mr. Shuttleworth would say.... .

P.S.: I gave up on Fedora a long time ago.


Thanks.

 

I hope there's no objection to commenting on-topic here! Seems to have been taken off-track a bit when a new thread could easily have been started.

Here goes:
I didn't particularly like the article because the first part had a lot of sweeping statements and was more directed to reversing the effects of installing 11.10 than anything else.

It also has this recommendation which I find curious:

 

The topic is not getting out of track. Au contraire the main suggestion of the thread has to do with some sort of to do list for Ubuntu. Thus, I suggested that the first item or subject in Canonical's to do list should be to provide DVD playback out of the box. The thread is still on track. .

Thanks.

 

If you say so.

 

What do you think?

Thanks.

 

I think that the title of the thread was not a call for a general discussion but just the title of the blog article (written by debianhelp) linked to in the first post by Ocky.

 

If that was true why did you bother posting about it? If it was not meant for a general discussion and the keyword here is "discussion" then I and everybody else who posted on that thread, to "discuss" the subject matter, should profusely apologize to Wilders for wasting its bandwidth.

P.S.: I may have misunderstood your intent; if I had, then I stand corrected.


Thanks. .

 

The to do list is for users of ubuntu after they install the OS and not for Ubuntu devs.

 

I could not agree more with what you said. It is also a must for a user to include within his or her to do list DVD playblack as soon Ubuntu is installed. To me, it would be very practical. Thus, DVD playback is not only for devs but also for users as well.

Thanks.

 

I agree with you as in today's day and age, DVD rather than CD is standard so DVD playback should be included out of the box but its also quite easy to enable it as well.