Ubuntu 9.10 vs Fedora 12: Difference between revisions

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Ubuntu 9.10 vs Fedora 12 (view source)

Revision as of 02:41, 24 November 2009

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I've run Debian since the mid 90s. I started running Ubuntu a few years ago for an easier to maintain desktop, including 9.10. I decided to try Fedora due to some problems on [[Thinkpad T400S | my notebook]] running Ubuntu. I used to compile kernels and a lot of software, but I don't want to now unless I must due to the time overhead and advantages of maintained packages, but I do want to find an OS that can be truly mainstream without losing the low level features.
I've run Debian since the mid 90s. I started running Ubuntu a few years ago for an easier to maintain desktop, including 9.10. I decided to try Fedora due to some problems on [[Thinkpad T400S | my notebook]] running Ubuntu. I used to compile kernels and a lot of software, but I don't want to now unless I must due to the time overhead and advantages of maintained packages, but I do want to find an OS that can be truly mainstream without losing the low level features.


Ubuntu has many more packages available. This makes setup much easier in many cases. After an install, the system is much more complete, with things like spellcheck working out of the box. Ubuntu has very nice accomodation for multimedia codecs, in most cases within an application you can install a system package to provide functionality. With Fedora, you have to track it all down.
Ubuntu has many more packages available. This makes setup much easier in many cases. After an install, the system is much more complete, with things like spellcheck working out of the box. Ubuntu has very nice accommodation for multimedia codecs, in most cases within an application you can install a system package to provide functionality. With Fedora, you have to track it all down.


Ubuntu has a too simple or much more complex Compiz (3d desktop) configuration, which can lead to trouble as settings conflict with each other. I like the effects and where they might lead, but today the only really useful one is zoom, which got disabled in Ubuntu and trying to get it working again was a mess. Fedora's configuration is much simpler but you lose access to features. I just wanted zoom, so I'm happy with Fedora, but I miss many of the neato (but not neccessarily useful) settings. Probably they can be configured with some digging. Unfortunately the default keyboard shortcuts for switching virtual desktops doesn't work with Compiz enabled out of the box, they haven't solved the fundamental Gnome - Compiz configuration divide.
Ubuntu has a too simple or much more complex Compiz (3d desktop) configuration, which can lead to trouble as settings conflict with each other. I like the effects and where they might lead, but today the only really useful one is zoom, which got disabled in Ubuntu and trying to get it working again was a mess. Fedora's configuration is much simpler but you lose access to features. I just wanted zoom, so I'm happy with Fedora, but I miss many of the neato (but not neccessarily useful) settings. Probably they can be configured with some digging. Unfortunately the default keyboard shortcuts for switching virtual desktops doesn't work with Compiz enabled out of the box, they haven't solved the fundamental Gnome - Compiz configuration divide.
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Because it's more configured out of the box, Ubuntu is "bloatier." I really didn't want [http://www.gnome.org/projects/tomboy Tomboy], which loads the entire [http://www.mono-project.com/ Mono] toolchain. But because there are more packages available, I can set up things like my notebook features without compiling on Ubuntu.
Because it's more configured out of the box, Ubuntu is "bloatier." I really didn't want [http://www.gnome.org/projects/tomboy Tomboy], which loads the entire [http://www.mono-project.com/ Mono] toolchain. But because there are more packages available, I can set up things like my notebook features without compiling on Ubuntu.


If forced to choose, I prefer the aesethetics and brand messaging of Fedora. I find Ubuntu's use of brown and weird interstitial pages (logging in, etc) to be ugly, although due to the amateur way graphics and design are treated in these communities they both have a long way to go.  
If forced to choose, I prefer the aesthetics and brand messaging of Fedora. I find Ubuntu's use of brown and weird interstitial pages (logging in, etc) to be ugly, although due to the amateur way graphics and design are treated in these communities they both have a long way to go.  


Neither distro seems to know how to manage something that maintains core technical facility and looks great while providing enhancements - why not keep the console boot up messages but make them interesting and easy to refer to, don't cover them with a logo.
Neither distro seems to know how to manage something that maintains core technical facility and looks great while providing enhancements - why not keep the console boot up messages but make them interesting and easy to refer to, don't cover them with a logo.
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Fedora's desktop icons remind me of Windows 95. Ubuntu 9.10 was heading in a better direction with some of the gnome icons, more subtle and refined.
Fedora's desktop icons remind me of Windows 95. Ubuntu 9.10 was heading in a better direction with some of the gnome icons, more subtle and refined.


I decided to try Fedora because there are some issues with the way the Ubuntu kernel is tweaked that causes wireless problems. That's critically important. I'd hoped Fedora would't have these problems, but it turns out it does.
I decided to try Fedora because there are some issues running Ubuntu that cause basic wireless problems. I'd hoped Fedora wouldn't have these problems, but it turns out it does.


   wlagn 0000:03:00.0: Error setting new RXON (-28)
   wlagn 0000:03:00.0: Error setting new RXON (-28)
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