Chinese Ubuntu Windows XP GUI clone

For those who want their Ubuntu with the familiarity of Windows XP, you can check out the YMLF OS, an Ubuntu distro that clones the look and feel of Windows XP. The only catch is it is Chinese, being developed by a group in China.

YMLF OS website.

Sharp PC-Z1 NetWalker hands-on: Ubuntu like you've never seen it before

Engadget has a hands-on video of the Sharp PC-Z1 Netwalker. It is shown running a full Ubuntu install at a relatively high resolution and a rather snappy pace. Sadly it's nearly impossible to use. Its optical track pad is too small to use. Combined that with a too high pixel density, it makes navigation downright a painful affair.

Video here.

Android apps to run on Ubuntu

From Ars Technica -

Ubuntu developer Canonical is building an Android execution environment that will allow Android apps to run on Ubuntu and potentially other Linux distros. The effort will open the door for Android apps to the desktop. In fact, the latest version of Google's open-source Linux-based platform has much improved reliability and more appeal to carriers and handset makers. The addition of an x86 port only increases anticipation of its entry into the netbook market.

Linux Distros for the Asus Eee PC

For those considering switching to other Linux distros, you can try out customized versions of Debian or Ubuntu.

For Debian, there is DebianEeePC - you can check out their site here.

For Ubuntu, there is eeebuntu - you can check out their site here.

Ubuntu reaping Linux dividend

From BBC News -

Ubuntu's Mark Shuttleworth said the success of the Asus Eee PC and the OLPC had driven awareness of open source. This in turn has help increased the number of users who are now using Ubuntu. Shuttleworth heads Canonical Software, which publishes Ubuntu.

You can read the full article here.

Ubuntu Mobile OS on Asus Eee PC

Came across the photo above on the Asus Eee How To? blog. Not sure though if it is photoshopped.

Ubuntu Mobile on an OLPC XO

The eclecticc blog has a guide on installing and running Ubuntu Mobile on an SD card on an OLPC XO. Ubuntu Mobile is still very much alpha software and is designed for touch screens, but it’s generally usable and quite speedy.

You can read the entire guide here.

Ubuntu Mobile

The Ubuntu folks has released the mobile version of their popular Ubuntu. Called Ubuntu Mobile, it targets Mobile Internet Devices.

As with the other Ubuntu flavor, Ubuntu Mobile is a fully open source project and provide full Internet, with no compromise. Custom options may include licensed codecs and popular third-party applications.

• Full Web 2.0/AJAX fidelity, with custom options of Adobe Flash®, Java, and more
• Outstanding media playback so you can enjoy videos, music and photos with superior quality and easy navigation
• A suite of applications that work seamlessly to meet every need of a digital parent, student or anyone who is on-the-go
• Facebook®, MySpace®, YouTube®, Dailymotion®, 3D games, GPS, maps, in short, the full Web 2.0 experience delivered into your hands as a compact and powerful device that's easy and fun to use

For more details, hop on the Ubuntu's site here.

Compiz on Eee PC with Ubuntu 7.10

Gutsy Gibbon + Eee PC = A Dream

Popagandhi has filed a short field report and painless way of getting Ubuntu working.




However the tutorial assumes your primary “other” computer is a Mac with an Intel processor, and that you have a USB flash disk of at least 1GB. The installation itself was performed with a 2.0Ghz MacBook, and a 4GB Imation Nano flash drive.

If this applies to you, then you may want to read use the step-by-step instructions available here.

Wubi - The Easiest Way to Linux

Submitted by bluberry -

For those looking for a roundabout way to installing Ubuntu on their Asus Eee PC after having switched to Windows, Wubi offers an easy installer -

From Wubi's website -

"Wubi is an unofficial Ubuntu installer for Windows users that will bring you into the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other application. If you heard about Linux and Ubuntu, if you wanted to try them but you were afraid, this is for you."

The beta version is now available for download at their website.

eeeXubuntu: because life is too short to spend all day looking for help in a forum

A customized Ubuntu version for the Asus Eee PC, called eeeXubuntu, is now available the Eeeuser Wiki site.



Described by the site as "eeeXubuntu is a custom version of the Xubuntu 7.10 Live CD with fully-integrated hardware support, including native wireless drivers, functioning Ethernet support, tweaks for low-resolution desktop environments, and other miscellaneous fixes. Wherever possible, these changes are incorporated using custom .deb packages rather than spewing assorted files all over post-install. (”./configure; make; make install”? yuck!)."

The project's goal is to maintain a easy-to-install Xubuntu Live CD image for the eeePC, allowing for a reliable base Xubuntu install. The hardware is all the same… this should be easy.

For Ubuntu-loving Asus Eee PC owners, this represents an early Christmas gift - especially after a couple of abortive attempts by other members of the Eeeuser forum to develop a custom version (even before the Asus Eee PC became commercially available).

And as a bonus, it comes with the best tagline (for a Ubuntu distro -heck, for any OS for that matter) I have seen so far -

"… because life is too short to spend all day looking for help in a forum."

Ubuntu on the Asus Eee PC

C K Sample III has posted in his Sample the Web blog instructions on how to run a functional Ubuntu install off a USB drive.



He has articulated the instructions into five easy steps that are actually easy to follow:

Step 1: Make a bootable Ubuntu USB Pendrive

Step 2: Make sure you have an active Ethernet connection

Step 3: Boot into Ubuntu Live Persistent mode—Start up the Eee and hit the Escape key (ESC).

Step 4: Make those windows draggable

Step 5: Enable the WiFi.
After rebooting repeat step 3 above to get ready to install.

Full detailed instructions of the steps are included in the tutorial, which is available here.

Asus Eee Rocks Ubuntu in 3D

From Gizmodo -

Installing Ubuntu on the Asus Eee PC

For those interested in Ubuntu in the Asus Eee PC, you may want to read more information on the topic via an Asus Eee PC thread in the Ubuntu forum.

Interestingly, the thread started June 15, 2007. So these guys were on to the Asus Eee PC right from the get-go. :)

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You can also find information on installing Ubuntu on the Asus Eee PC in the Eeeuser wiki.

Ubuntu Mobile more for MIDs than UMPCs?

Per LinuxDevices, Canonical Ltd has updated its Ubuntu Mobile and Embedded (UME) project's architecture roadmap. UME aims to create a version of the popular Ubuntu desktop Linux OS tailored to the requirements of Intel-based "mobile Internet devices" (MIDs), expected in 2008.

MIDs are small handheld, battery-powered mobile devices that connect to the Internet via various wireless technologies. They will be powered by processors derived from Intel's forthcoming lpia (low-power on Intel architecture) silicon platform such as the A100 and A110.

Ubuntu unveiled UME a month after Intel's announcement of the MID initiative, saying it would work closely with Intel to support low-powered Intel chips -- and, presumably, with Intel customers building Linux-based MIDs and other devices utilizing the lpia architecture. Thus, UME is working to port Ubuntu to lpia, starting with an lpia bootloader and a port of the Hildon application framework, best known for its use in the Nokia 770 and N800 Internet tablets.

Per another LinuxDevices article, "MIDs are smaller and more appliance-like than the clunky UMPC concept co-launched by Intel as the UMPC and by Microsoft as Origami. Whereas UMPCs have 5- to 7-inch displays and boot the slow-moving Windows GUI, MIDs have 4- to 6-inch displays, boot simplified Linux-based UIs with "instant-on" performance, and offer consumer price points."


An Intel/Red Flag MID prototype

According to the Ubuntu, Mobile Internet Devices have the following system characteristics:

* Low-power, hand-held mobile device
* Screen dimension: 4.5" to 7"
* Screen resolution: 800x480 up to 1024x600 (expected)
* ~512MB SSD, ~512MB RAM (depending on model)
* Limited or unknown hardware controls (UI needs to be able to do it all)

The Asus Eee is arguably a hand-held device but other than that actually fits into the above description.

The UME's UI Goals are:

* Simple, touchable, fun (Large, colorful icons and controls)
* Finger-navigable
* Soccer Mom and Gen-Y'ers should be able to play music, view photos, browse, chat, and navigate in car.
* Home screen highly customizable and extensible by OEMs and hackers.

While the Asus Eee does not have a touch-screen and hence isn't finger-navigable, it will likely allow Soccer Mom and Gen-Y'ers to do all the listed stuff, just as it will most probably be a hacker's delight.

As for applications, MIDs will have the following:

* Browser
* Chat
* Email
* Camera
* Location/GPS
* Games
* Configuration applets

Again, I don't see any reason why the Asus Eee can't do all of the above either in its default configuration or with optional add-ons. Actually the Asus Eee blurs the line between UMPCs and MIDs, But will UME work just fine with it?

Asus Eee Discussion in Ubuntu forum

So-so discussion about the Asus Eee in the Ubuntu forum.