Ubuntu Linux on PPC - Live CD. Nerds should try it.

TroutMaskReplica

Linux made me cry.

But that shouldn't stop you from playing with the PowerPC Live CD* of Ubuntu Linux, using the Gnome desktop: http://us.releases.ubuntu.com/releases/5.04/ Ubuntu is billed as 'Linux for Human Beings'.

The GUI is slicker than I thought Linux would be. The filesystem is very similar to OS X. The GUI is hard to explain - something like a cross between Windows, Mac OS 9, with a little bit of OS X thrown in. Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, and a bunch of card games and other crap are preinstalled on the CD. They take a bit longer to launch because they are running of a CD after all, but once they are open they are quite usable.

Anyway, if you're bored and have a broadband connection, download the ISO and try it out (make sure you grab the Live CD, and not the install CD). I was able to download the ISO in 30 minutes on a broadband connection. You can burn the ISO using apple Disk Utility. drag the .iso file to the left sidebar in Disk Utility and press the iTunes style burn icon in the top right hand corner. don't open the .iso from your desktop, just leave it as is. restart the computer with the CD in the drive and hold down 'c' until you get something that resembles a DOS prompt. just hit enter and you will be booted into Linux.

* a Live CD will let you boot Linux directly off the CD. it won't affect your Hard Drive or your OS X install. of course, you have a backup just in case, right?

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intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

Vexel

I actually installed Ubuntu on my iBook for a bit when I first got it. It's a great 'user' OS. And very customizable. It's really fun if you just want to dabble in Linux. 2 Thumbs up.

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2.0Ghz '09 Mac Mini

www.reverbnation.com/selektinjekt

Trevor...

This boots painfully slow on a 1.3ghz G4.

It is also funny to see the ASCII screens on a mac.

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I have given away all my iBook and Powerbook Parts and I am not getting more.

TroutMaskReplica

yep. it has to load the entire OS from a CD.

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intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

Trevor...

so does Knoppix, but it boots in under a minute.

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I have given away all my iBook and Powerbook Parts and I am not getting more.

TroutMaskReplica

do you have a link for the PPC version of Knoppix?

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intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD

The Great Waka

Knoppix = uber. I showed it to a friend of mine and we was so impressed that he uses it has his main OS now. If there is a PPC version of it, I would love to have it.

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"Windtunnel" - DP867 MDD, 1.25Gig RAM, OS X.5 |
"Hrimfaxi" - White Macbook 2.4Ghz C2D, 2GB RAM, OS X.6 |
"Bragi" - 1st Gen iPod Touch
AirPort Extreme

Denjira

You can order free CDs of Ubuntu, they cover shipping costs, completely free.. ordered 14..

http://shipit.ubuntulinux.org

I just removed it from powerbook.. was just trying it before installing on PC...
Does NOT support Wireless networking for PPC..

däycüs mäximüs

so i downloaded the .iso because i want to try running this OS, what do i do now? how do i do it?

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[ d ä y c ü s m ä x i m ü s ]

live to win. dare to fail.

TroutMaskReplica

fire up Disk Utility, drag the .iso to the left side bar (just under where you see your hard drive icon, hit the burn button, and wait until it's finished. restart with CD in drive and holding down the 'c' key. when you get something that looks like a DOS prompt just hit enter. it'll take 3 or 4 minutes, but you'll be booted into Ubuntu, and you can play around.

by default Ubuntu will not mount your hard drive, so don't worry about messing up your files, just make doubly sure you're using the Live CD and not the Install CD, cuz then you'll be in trouble.

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intel iMac 20" dual core 2 ghz, Dual 1.25ghz MDD