moblin

Moblin is a new version of Linux designed specifically for Atom based Intel processors and is sponsored directly by Intel.  I have to admit that I was pretty harsh regarding Moblin 1.0 but that now with version 2 they might have me hooked.

Moblin has ditched xfce as the GUI in favor of their own interface built with Clutter.  It follows after HP and Ubuntu Netbook Remix in that they have rethought the entire user experience.  Virtually all other Netbook operating systems try to use the standard desktop and don’t deal with the smaller screen size correctly. With Moblin 2.0 they have designed the interface to compliment Netbooks instead of trying to make the same old thing “work”.

Check It Out> Arstechnica, Moblin

penguin

Linux can be a little difficult getting comfortable with and it is not always easy to ask your questions on various forums.  This is why it’s always good to keep a couple of guides handy so you have something to fall back on.

Many readers of this blog will be familiar with the Ubuntu Pocket Guide but there two others that are more generic and can be very helpful, the Newbie’s Initiation to Linux and The Easiest Linux Guide You’ll Ever Read.

When it comes to displaying multimedia content on a computer Microsoft pretty much has a stranglehold on computers.  There have been a few linux distributions to try and take on Microsoft but so far there is only one that has really been successful, XBMC Media Center.

Originally designed for the Xbox, it has grown and is now available for multiple platforms.  Linux, Windows, Apple TV, OS X (Power PC and x86),  and even Live versions are available.  The Xbox version is no longer publicly available (due to legal reasons) but if you search Google you can find it via third-parties.

Check It Out> XBMC Blog, Download

When it comes to Linux people come up with a lot of excuses to not use it.  These are from a recent survey on why people quit using Linux:

1. Linux doesn’t run a program I use
2. I installed Linux but some element of my hardware didn’t work
3. I tried Linux but I had to type commands
4. I did *this*, and *this* happened. That doesn’t happen with Windows
5. I posted a message on a forum, but Linux people were mean to me
6. I just don’t like it
7. I installed Linux and things went honey-nut-loops crazy

I definitely understand a couple of these reasons especially #2 when it comes to my Asus gaming laptop.  Sometimes things just do not want to work correctly.  Thankfully though there is still help available without having to go to forums and be abused.

Ubuntu Pocket Guide is an excellent resource whether you have been using Ubuntu for a while or are just getting started.  It is written in a very easy to understand manner and well laid out.  Even if you are using another Linux distribution you can still benefit from it.

If you are thinking about trying out Ubuntu make sure you have this guide on hand.  It will save you a lot of the time and frustration in getting used to a new operating system.

Check It Out> Ubuntu Pocket Guide

And today is the day for Ubuntu 9.04!   Jaunty Jackalope, the newest version of Ubuntu is going to be a hot download today with it’s inclusion of Netbook Remix.

You can check out the release notes or just head straight to the downloads.

UPDATE: As expected the Ubuntu servers are overloaded and even the mirrors can’t keep up with all the hits they are getting right now.  The best way to get a hold of it is via BitTorrent.