As I’m sure plenty of you are aware, Ubuntu 9.04 is due to be released in little over a month’s time. Testing is in full swing (Alpha 6 at time of writing), and the beta should be coming in 2 or 3 weeks (that’s a guess on my part, please don’t hold me to it!). I figured it was about time to try and install it, partly because I’m interested to see how well it currently runs on my dual-head setup, partly because I need to write an article on installing it for Linux Identity 
So – I popped in the Jaunty Live CD, got to the boot menu. All is going well so far, I expected it to not boot though due to my graphics card (Nvidia 9500GT) and a Dual-Screen setup….ok I’m on the desktop (that was quick!). My dual-screen setup was detected just fine (with both monitors at the correct resolution no less!) I was already impressed just from that. I had a play around, and it took me all of 5 minutes to decide that I wanted to give it a proper try out, and to backup my home and install it properly.
1 reboot later, past the (in my opinion) great new GDM theme and nice new splash screen, I’m logged in, installing my nvidia drivers (180.xx) as recommended by a little pop-up. After that install and reboot, I get compiz effects working great, as well as an extended desktop – awesome!
After a bit more playing, I have the dust theme installed (it’s come a long way since I last used it), as well as having emesene using the new notification system (which I have to say looks great!). I’m also running on an ext4 based system, and so far – all is well. Hopefully I’ll have more to say when the beta is released, but this is running on my main desktop, so it’s getting plenty of use 
UPDATE:
I’ve got to say, after using jaunty some more this morning, one thing struck me…it’s REALLY quick. Boot is way faster than 8.10 and running general. Shutdown is quicker too
21 Responses to “Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty) – My Thoughts So Far”
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The Beta is due on the 26th.
I’m also getting ready to upgrade my old laptop to Jaunty to test it out. I’m liking the new wallpaper. Also going to test out Ext4, hopefully it won’t blow up in my face
Thanks for that FuturePilot
I guess I should’ve checked the release schedule
9.04 is great! I’ve installed it on my MSI Wind U100 and everything is working out of the box! Previously I had chrunchbanglinux with compiled WiFi drivers but so far 9.04 is so fast that I’m not searching for dedicated lightweight distro anymore.
Many people say that 9.04 is very stable. Maybe its because a bit older kernel version is used this time? What about doing this regularly (newest userspace software, but more tested kernel)?
Thanks for the overview. Are you by chance running the 32 or 64 bit version?
I’m running the 64 bit version
Running alpha since alpha 5 of jaunty & upgrading every day twice a day.. im so please to see finally a version of Linux for the desktop who please me on every aspect! i just love jauny already.
I have setup an old machine with Jaunty and it seems really good. The machine is really low spec….1.2Ghz Celeron, 384Mb RAM, 28Gb HD and 4Mb Matrox Mystique Video. As I said low spec but it runs really well and it is quick for the machines capabilities. I am already thinking of switching the remaining 3 machines over. But would feel safer waiting to RC stage though. But if its this good already the Full release should be great. I love the new loading and login screens, def more polished. Just need the same facelift on the standard desktop.
Man, I can’t wait for the quick boot and shutdown action you’re talking about! I do a lot of dual-booting between Ubuntu and Windows XP because my fianc√©e and I are both gaming fans. Quick-boot action will serve us well! If only suspend would work this well! I pray for hot suspending and hibernating action, which hasn’t worked (ever) before for me with Ubuntu on this system. It worked with my laptop with 7.10 but not anymore even there.
I have an ATI HD3450 video card that has never functioned properly under Linux. More often than not it is gathering dust and the onboard intel GMA3100 is in use. I have been using Jaunty x86_64 and recently everything updated (as you mentioned a deluge of updates everyday) and xorg-ati 6.12 arrived and works as a 2d card, even xv video. No 3d so no compiz. I then tried the experimental fglrx binary driver and it too works better than any before, but still not perfect. If yo have a pre 3000/4000 series ATI card the open source driver is now operational in 2d and 3d. If you have a newer card, well at least now you can use it. If you have Nvidia or Intel you are still miles in front in terms of usability, but now at least ATI owners have some joy.
i have joy. my jaunty works well for alpha 6.
WOOHOO!
Hi!
First, excuse my english, I’m french so…
I tried ubuntu 9.04 few weeks ago, and I had a very big problem with the dual screen. The panels did not move on my secondary screen. I love to have a panel per screen, but the two panel was “locked” on only one screen and I did not can move them on the other screen.
Is this problem fixed..? If not, I think i’ll stay under 8.10 for a long time
Thank you very much!
Hmm, that’s a good point, you should be able to drag the panels between monitors, but it doesn’t seem that you’re able to anymore for some odd reason.
I’ll try and see if there’s a way to do it, but a quick look just now doesn’t bring any positive news
Thank you Joe. I’m sad, I think I will run Mandriva or another disctro, cause I really can’t use only one screen.
Thanks again
linux is good if you use only ubuntu software,but no chance to play online games like http://www.miniclip.com,cause no shockwave player,only flash player is for ubunu available ,please try out in windows,than for ubuntu
linux has no chat programm as good as msn-live-messenger,the pics by writing in msn-live are great fun
so there is really no competition with windows for home users!!
to install software from any website is also too hard work
maybe there are better ubuntu versions in the future
btw, if you want to move a panel:
click on properties (of that panel)
uncheck “expanded”
drag to where you want it
and check “expanded” again
kind of annoying, though i have to say its really a gnome issue, not a ubuntu issue… also, keep in mind, not like you are moving panels daily — i never move mine, until i had to due to the upgrade from 8.10 to 9.04 crapped out. so i had the same issue, dual monitor setup, panels all moved to the primary monitor.
hope this helps
That’s brilliant, thanks a lot
Or you could just hold down alt while clicking and holding on the panel to move it.
[...] Barker: Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty) – My Thoughts So far. Joe’s been playing with late alpha of Ubuntu 9.04 and is kind enough to let us know how [...]
there are lots of better alternative to MSI Wind today’-.
[...] bottom of the laptop screen and one at the top of the monitor screen, but both were on the monitor. A comment on Joe Blog’s‘s blog tells me I can right-click on the panel, choose Properties, untick Expand, move the panel, then [...]