Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Ubuntu 13.04-An Update

Ubuntu 13.04-An Update
If I do not write few lines on Ubuntu 13.04, it is very unfair specially the bad publicity it got due to Unity Desktop.
Yes. I was very critical of the lack of work-spaces and the clutter and the size of window frames, it came out with Unity.
It was big mess for a guy who uses FullMonty’s nice Desktop arrangement, very well organized but consume lot of resources.
In summary,
1.       Unity has got its window frame problem sorted out. 
There is seamless number of windows which contract as the number increases which was a good ploy. 
I now have no problem with it.
2.       Finding a program by click of the mouse is not possible but fiddling with few icons one can get to what one needs.
It has a docky below which helps a bit with some icons but not comprehensive, enough.  

3.       The best part is, it is not loaded with unnecessary utilities. 
What is installed and not installed is shown.
4.       Its software center and update is good and breezy.
5.       I found difficult to find the add new user utility.
6.       It has high security passwords which is a very strong point. Unfortunately it goes into server mode when more than two users  are added and shutting down is difficult. 
But it is a minor problem, one logs out all the users and just press the computer's on/off button.
7.       It has LibreOffice 4.0, the latest.
8.       The best point about it is,it can be used by visually handicapped person easily. 
Its screen reader is pretty awesome and has done a major update. 
Well Done.
9.       Now, I usually recommend not to be connected to the internet when installing since it takes ages to finish. 
Not anymore. 
It takes only a little added time and in that process removes all the unnecessary language packages of LibreOffice.
10.   All in all it was a good experience, I decided to use it on a regular basis in my spare computer and report any major disadvantages to canonical as a user and a unity convert.
11.   Its Ubuntu One and Ubuntu Music arwe good for even an old guy like me. 
There is no obvious interference from Amazon too.

12. It has Sinhala capability but I have not tested it on installation.
I have installed it with Sinhala (LKlug-Unicode is installed) and it is working.
I believe one has to install Sinhala font to get full advantage.
I do not have Sinhala font to test it.
I will try Google Sinhala font and report it when I have time.
It takes little longer to install when one uses the Sinhala installation.
It is available on current Linux Magazine on both 32 and 64 bit versions.
If you are lazy to download, go and buy the magazine and help all the Linux writers too.
By the way downloading with torrent is breezy.

You must realize I was never been a fan of Ubuntu and all the reservations I have had are disappearing fast, and many questions I have raised against it is becoming less and less (has been taken into account by the developers) and I thank them profusely for their hard work.
In TQM, the customer is the best judge and quality comes at that level first.

I am going to be a quality check customer from now onward.