[kwlug-disc] KWLUG - The Kitchener Waterloo Linux User Group new content notification: 2010-08-20 22:02

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Recent content - 1 new post
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1. Linux Mint Isadora KDE i386 first impressions
Published Blog entry by Raul Suarez
[ http://kwlug.org/node/761 ]

This time I decided to install Linux Mint Isadora KDE version. This may
sound unfair based my previous review of Mandriva as I've been using
Linux Mint for several releases but this is the first time I will use
the KDE version, though. 
I promise I'll try to be as picky and as unbiased as I possibly can.
The first thing that surprised me is that, although for the Gnome
version there is a Live CD which is just 674 MB and a Live DVD which is
763, There is only a DVD version for KDE a whopping 1.3 GB. Still better
than other distributions which are 2 to 4 GB. 
I downloaded the DVD version which is a Live version. Upon booting I got
a normal KDE screen with the Linux Mint background and a Install Linux
Mint icon on the desktop folder. The screen looks clean, nothing earth
shattering. But it is noticeable that it started on my card/monitor
recommended resolution, not the maximum. 
In the menu I can see that in includes a large number of applications, I
may need to do some clean up after I'm done. For example, It even comes
with Wine which I never use. I hope it only installs a basic set of
applications.
I tried to use some of the utilities but they weren't configured on the
Live CD. so I'll proceed to install by double clicking on the icon.
The installation is quite clean and clear. Quite visual with a very
simple language.
Oops, the partition editor cuts the name of the partitions, I can only
see /dev/sd... so I need to resize the columns.
A couple of questions and the installation starts. Hey, wait a second.
It never asked me if I wanted to install the boot loader or where I
wanted to install it. I Don't remember missing that question and if I
did then it is not very clear where the option is. 
The installation took less than 10 minutes and I reboot... At least the
boot loader found all my installations. 
Initial boot speed is good but KDE logging is very slow.
Upon boot I am welcomed by a message saying that I have 82 updates I
accept them and the update starts. All the messages are very short and
clear. 
While it installs I browse the menus. Oh, no! all the applications were
installed. Maybe that's good for some, but now I know why there is only
a large DVD version. This version of Mint comes with the kitchen sink.
Not a criticism. just an observation.
Dragon Player
VLC
MPlayer
Amarok
Songbird
KsCD
Each one a great player, but should they include them all? I don't think
so.
When I execute dragon Player it very nicely advises me that there are
packages that may improve my experience. I accept and... what? it
failed? I know it failed because the update manager was already running.
I think that there should have been a clearer message telling me that I
couldn't install it until the other application finished.
It's time to go to bed but I'll continue reporting tomorrow.
I just got distracted watching a movie. It is nice to have a distro that
you can start using as soon as you finish installing it.


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