Ubuntu is an operating system, based on the Linux Kernel. It is one of the most popular Linux Distros, and best of all it is free.

But just because it is free and popular, should you get it? And further more, is it worth upgrading to the Ubuntu 9.10 BETA?

Well, read on to find out.

PLEASE NOTE: When I upgraded to Ubuntu 9.10 Beta, I was running Ubuntu 9.04 Desktop Edition, and upgraded to the 9.10 Beta Desktop Edition. I am also running a middle class Laptop:
HP HDX16T
2.26GHz Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB
4GB DDR2 RAM @ 800MHz
512MB NVIDA GeForce 9600
320GB Hard Drive @ 5400 RPM

9.10 is a great operating system. It is faster, performs better, and looks a lot better. BUT, be warned. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Ubuntu, you should know that (depending on how fast your computer is), upgrading may take anywhere from 2 Hours on a high end model, to 4 hours on an older computer. On my model I it took me about 2 1/2 hours total. After that Ubuntu performed great.

So, after you install Ubuntu and boot it up, the first thing you will notice right of the bat is the Boot Screen. It looks a helluva lot better than the previous one. It is clearer and has a nice background. After it boots, a beautiful new startup screen comes up. Now you can choose which user you want to log into, without having to type the name. This also actually takes a few seconds less than in 9.04. Once you come to the desktop, a strong background will hit you. But if you don't like it, you can always change it. Yes, Ubuntu now has more than 3 wallpapers. Well, one of the first things you will probably do is look for drivers and updates to your system. Well, it is the same as before (Or, read a guide on how to getting started if you are new), though, speed is always something you will notice. Downloading updates is faster, and just getting to a basic thing like the new software centre (formerly Add/Remove Programs) is just faster. 9.10 also comes with Firefox 3.5, which you will notice is twice as fast as 3.0. Even if you are on an older computer, you will notice the difference.

Ubuntu 9.10 also comes with some new features. Pidgin IM has been replaced by Empathy (Pidgin is still on the os though), but personally I don't IM a lot. It also comes with Rythmbox Music Player, which looks really cool, and is compatible with most types of audio files, and performs similar to iTunes. You can also change the themes easier, as there are a larger variety. It also seems that there are more ways that you can customize 9.10, because when you turn on desktop effects, they are incredibly smooth. It feels like you are moving a window around with your finger. I love all of these customizable features, as it will keep 9.10 freshly updated.

All in all, 9.10 Beta is a great operating system. There aren't as many bugs as I thought there would be, but there are still a few around, that will be crushed once the final version is released, later in the month. If you can look past the minor bugs, and long upgrading time (I recommend backing up your Ubuntu files, putting 9.10 onto a live cd, deleting your current Ubuntu partition with GParted and doing a clean install, as it will take about half the time), then Ubuntu 9.10 Beta is a great operating system, and if you can't wait for it to come out, then I would strongly recommend trying the Beta.

Ubuntu 9.10 Scores:
Performance: 8/10 Would be perfect if the upgrade time and bugs weren't there, but the bugs will be fixed when the final version comes out.
Style: 9/10 A lot more themes, backgrounds and ways to make 9.10 look better, makes it feel like a more evolved OS.
Ease of Use: 9/10 If you are coming from an earlier version, everything is about the same, but if you are coming from windows, it will take some time.

Overall: 9/10 - If you are going to be dual booting with 9.10 and 7/Snow Leopard, you are going to have a dilemma on your hands, as this is an operating system that can truly compete.


The above was written by Vincent at the time of this post, and may not be copied or reproduced without the express written consent of Vincent.
So, what are your opinions on 9.10?
~Vincent

I don't like the plain Gnome WM really. KDE looks a lot better than that. But Gnome done well can be just as good, which is why i like Mint.

Well, Ubuntu is great if you have all the driver etc etc but if you don't, then you're in a real muddle. I learned this the hard way

9.10 is def' best one so far.

If you don't have the drivers then you install them. It isn't that hard. Most of today's hardware have either proprietary or open source drivers for most Linux distributions, and especially for Ubuntu.

If you're using Intel graphics, you don't stand a chance.

Actually, there is improved support for Intel Graphics, though I know on the site that it said there were still a few bugs that people were getting with Intel graphics cards.
~Vincent

Are there many noticeable differences for the end user?

... Not really, but it just runs faster. I also love the screensavers, a new feature in Ubuntu I believe. It is just a lot easier to use IMO, but looks similar to 9.04.
~Vincent

Nothing to switch back from Mint for then... Mint 8 looks quite good too. Like, it's actually becoming an independent distro.

I don't follow Mint... It is one of the smaller Operating Systems, though I hear good things about it.
Personally, I just love Ubuntu. It isn't caught between Mac's and PC's. There are a heckuva lot of things that are compatible with 9.10, and I mean a heckuva lot. Only major thing is that iTunes isn't compatible with it, but that is Apple's fault. They are just obnoxious I guess.
The truth is, in a few years, Linux will be at the same place Macs and PC's are. Main problem with it is:
1. Popularity - Ubuntu comes on some Dell Mini's but that is about it. You have to format and install it your self.
2. Compatibility - A lot of things are compatible with Linux, but not enough.

It is getting there, and I can't wait for 9.10 final release, and to get Windows 7
~Vincent

What are the bugs that you found in the beta?

Sometimes when booting up, the panels will show up, but the main bootscreen will still show, when shutting down, weird static comes over my speakers, the screen sometimes gets all static like when shutting down etc. Basic things that will be fixed when the final version comes out, but other than those and some other small, most of the time negligible things, this is really a quite stable beta. It won't crash your computer if you're worried about that
~Vincent

Oh yea I noticed that too. It isn't something that happens to all computers. I'm guessing you have an nvidia gfx card, am I right? I've experienced that problem with most nvidia chips.

OMFG, YOU ARE PSYCHIC!
Yes, I have a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT 512MB Dedicated! You, sir, are a psychic.

Yes, I heard that, but it isn't something that is too bad.
~Vincent