Netbook Distributions

Telchak

I've recently become fascinated with trying new Linux distributions, and was wondering what ones are out there with interfaces designed for netbooks. I'm considering getting a netbook in the near future and am exploring which distribution I'll go with, but I want this to be more of a discussion forum and showcase for different netbook distributions.

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Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Obviously the one that stands out, but I haven't use the newest version with the Unity interface. Is it much more intuitive than previous versions?

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Jolicloud

This OS fascinates me. Its' UI is based on Google Chrome (like the upcoming Google ChromeOS), and it has its own App directory that make it similar to an Android smartphone or tablet. Other Linux software can of course be installed, but it doesn't have the same integration with the main UI and takes a little more digging to get to. It's still a great OS though, as it is really the basics of what a Netbook should be

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MeeGo

This is one intend to try next, as it looks like it's fairly well web integrated. has anybody here used this one before?

Stuxnet

if your getting a netbook, be sure not to just limit yourself to netbook remix's of certain distro's ! the majority of linux distributions will run perfect on lower powered pc's as well as netbooks !! so well worth a look out side The "netbook market", as everything can easily be customized to suit a small screen, all your doing is changing panels and resizing icons,.. simples !!

Regular Linux Mint customized for small screen

croo

I've not got a netbook or actually used any of these distros but about a month ago I installed the ubuntu netbook distribution on a HP netbook for someone who has only ever used windows before and didn't even know what linux was.

I did it and heard nothing back - good or bad - so figured perhaps they'd removed it. But I spoke with them last weekend, and ask about it. To my surprise they'd not removed it and had not had any problems or questions - hence I heard nothing. And they thought it was great! A BIG performance improvement over the windows that was installed and they really loved all the programs available for free. Though they mostly just use it to browse, email & writing documents for college.

So the ubuntu distro, at least, seems to be fairly intuitive.

I considered the chromeOS but it seems you must have an SSD for it and this particular netbook had a regular 2.5" HDD

BopNiblets

I've read Gnome shell is decent on netbooks, anyone try it? I don't have a netbook. :pac:

Tom Dunne

I tried Jolicloud there a few weeks back and it passed the Wife Test(tm) - put it on my wife's netbook and she loved it. Found it much nippier than Windows XP and would use it all the time, only for the fact that I can't get Cabbage working on it (she uses it daily to send texts).

Mycroft H

Tom Dunne wrote: »

I tried Jolicloud there a few weeks back and it passed the Wife Test(tm) - put it on my wife's netbook and she loved it. Found it much nippier than Windows XP and would use it all the time, only for the fact that I can't get Cabbage working on it (she uses it daily to send texts).

JSMS works on netbooks as its java based. Does the same job as cabbage

Jagera

Telchak wrote: »

Obviously the one that stands out, but I haven't use the newest version with the Unity interface. Is it much more intuitive than previous versions?

I recently bought a netbook, and wiped Windows to put Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.04 on it. about 2 weeks later, 10.10 came out, I installed and lasted 2 days before I went back. The interface was not as good as 10.04

Capt'n Midnight

TBH I can't stand the way some of the interfaces maximise windows by default

it's a computer, not an iphone

bnt

I'm quite happy with standard GNOME on my netbook, though I have customised the panels: bottom one is auto-closing, and the top one is now on the left and stripped down. I remove the existing main menu item and replace it with the "main menu" applet, which is appears as a single icon.

I've also had fun with GnuStep, which I installed separately. This is a very lightweight Window Maker manager that's supposed to emulate a NeXT workstation. Takes a little getting used to: right-click brings up the main menu, and running apps appear at the bottom. You drag a running app icon to the right edge, it becomes an app launch icon which you can customise. No standard file manager, but I like GNOME Commander for that.

PS: if the "always maximised" thing is a problem, look in Preferences / Startup Applications for a program named "Maximus", and deselect it. next time you log in, it won't run and windows won't auto-maximise.

Telchak

bw wrote: »

I recently bought a netbook, and wiped Windows to put Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.04 on it. about 2 weeks later, 10.10 came out, I installed and lasted 2 days before I went back. The interface was not as good as 10.04

I've tried Unity now and personally I quite like it. It's a big change, and it's understandable that you're either going to love it or hate it. I've also tried Unity on the alpha release of 11.04, and (even though it's obviously still rough) I think it has a lot of potential to make Ubuntu far more intuitive than Windows or Mac. Again, it's aimed at making Ubuntu user-friendly for as large an audience as possible, but some will always prefer the older style

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

it's a computer, not an iphone

That's an ever blurring line I'm afraid, especially in regard to netbooks

bnt wrote: »

I'm quite happy with standard GNOME on my netbook, though I have customised the panels

This is something I'm curious about trying, but I'm pretty new to linux and haven't been very successful thus far Know any decent tutorials about customizing gnome? (:

bnt

Telchak wrote: »

This is something I'm curious about trying, but I'm pretty new to linux and haven't been very successful thus far Know any decent tutorials about customizing gnome? (:

I didn't do anything drastic - just moved them around, which you can do by right-clicking on an empty spot on a panel and selecting Panel Properties. Adding and removing applets is another menu option. Changing the appearance is a matter of selecting a Theme from the Preferences Appearance menu.

If you create a "test" account and log in to that, you can play around with anything, knowing that your main account is untouched - so it doesn't matter if you cock it up. :pac:

ubuntulinux

Windows V Ubuntu only one winner:p,Sorry Bill.

ambasite

i've had eeebuntu 3.0 running on my Asus 900 for the past year or so, find it great, performance is ok.

http://gadgetmix.com/articles/eeebuntu-3-0-review-base-and-standard-editions/

waiting for a release from AuroraOS due out "soon"(their site seems to be down for a while):

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=auroraos