Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex Works For Me

Every time a major new Ubuntu release is unleashed I download it and try it out. I've loaded Ubuntu onto an iBook G4, Toshiba Satellite, and most recently on an HP Pavilion. I would've left it on the Toshiba but I needed it to run XP and Office. The HP fell into my hands and I quickly loaded Ubuntu on it, but was frustrated but the difficulty of setting it up to use the Broadcom wireless chipset. I followed the instructions available all over the Web, but nothing seemed to work for me, and so I relegated it to the closet.

Intrepid Ibex led to the resurrection of the HP. I'd heard that Ubuntu was finally playing nice with Broadcom (or vice versa) and it's true. After installing Ubuntu 8.10 on the HP there was an icon at the top of the screen prompting me to download new drivers. I restarted the computer and the wireless card works! Finally!

I now unequivocally recommend Ubuntu to anyone looking for a free, open source alternative to Windows or Macintosh.

here we go with Linux again

I'm putzing around while kinda, sorta doing a bunch of mundane and/or domestic tasks.

The dishwasher just gone done and waits to be emptied.  The clothes washer is at work on a load of pants and shorts.  The dryer is working on undergarments and shirts.  The HP Pavilion is restarting as I type this.  If all goes well, it'll restart running Kubuntu.  I've already tried it once and failed.  After the first restart following the first install, the computer got stuck right after loading the BIOS.  It'd stop with a black screen and in white text, "No Operating System Found".  I'd call that a serious problem.

It appears that all has gone well this time.  Now there remains one more big sticking point: getting the computer to recognize its wireless hardware.  It's ridiculous that it's even a hassle.  I believe it has something to do with open source vs proprietary software, but I'm not totally sure about it.  I do know that Broadcom is a major player in mobile and wireless hardware, so it's odd that its products aren't easily supported on one of the most popular Linux distrubtions.  Anyhoo...all I have to do is connect it to the router via ethernet cable and do a little command line wizardry and the wireless will be up and running.  I had to do the same thing when I loaded Ubuntu on my iBook G4 (which I don't recommend doing unless you're a masochist or really good with computers...or both).  If your computer has a Broadcom wireless card, you can find the solution to your Linux installation woes here: How to: Broadcom wireless cards.

UPDATE:  The instructions in the above link ended up not working.  I'm working on a solution.