Cheap iBook G3, thinking of going Ubuntu Linux

[Chacala_Nayarit]

This is my consumer, old, 2002, Mac:

iBook G3 600MHz, 384MB SDRAM PC100

OS-X runs slow, and sometimes takes five minutes to boot. Once it's up it runs some apps fine, but others slow. I use Camino because Firefox crashes and freezes the system. QuickTime 7 crashes and freezes the system too - when it's the only app (besides Finder) running. however most other applications run fine - like iTunes, Transmission, Aduim, BBEdit, Photoshop CS.

So, I sent and received an Ubuntu Linux live and install CD. Surprisingly the Ubuntu OS runs fast from the CD, and the iBook is more than enough machine to run apps like GIMP, Firefox, et cetera. However what is going to play my vast library of MPEG-4 (.mp4) movies in Linux? Will AAC audio files play in Linux? The sound works fine, and there's no video issues. Is there Flash player for Linux, it kind of irritating not being able to watch movies on YouTube.

Can anyone here help me with a transition Mac to Ubuntu? I am asking the same questions in the Ubuntu forums.

OS-X is great if you have an Intel dual dual-core Xeon or Core 2 Duo or G5, but a G3 straight sucks ass with OS-X.

 

[Nermal]

I have 10.4 on a 400 MHz G3, and while it's not fast, it's certainly usable. I'd concentrate on upgrading the RAM, that's the biggest performance booster. It will, of course, boost Ubuntu too

 

[Eidorian]

The biggest problem that I have with Unbutu is getting all of the codecs to support media.

It's very useable with low amounts of RAM. Otherwise if you want to stick with OS X Panther and Tiger will useable with with more RAM.

 

[clevin]

under ubuntu
to play video: install mplayer with w32codec-all or VLC
http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/news.html
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
to be honest, they handle video file better than OSX

to surf internet: install firefox, when first time visit a website with flash, firefox wil remind you to install flash player. just follow the instructions.
to handle office: install openoffice.

I suggest you got Xunbuntu, which uses XFCE as desktop environment, smaller, lighter, faster.

 

[Eidorian]

under ubuntu
to play video: install mplayer with w32codec-all or VLC
http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/news.html
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
to be honest, they handle video file better than OSX

to surf internet: install firefox
to handle office: install openoffice.

1. I've installed VLC and amarok.
2. I've installed Flash and Java.
3. I've also installed the other codecs for system wide usage.

It's just annoying having to get all of it due to international licensing issues. They'd have to more then one image. It's still not as friendly out of the box for just playing an .mp3!

 

[clevin]

1. I've installed VLC and amarok.
2. I've installed Flash and Java.
3. I've also installed the other codecs for system wide usage.

It's just annoying having to get all of it due to international licensing issues. They'd have to more then one image. It's still not as friendly out of the box for just playing an .mp3!

hehe, yeah, thats why it is FREE, anything with license will not be packaged in free version, such as flash player, windows codec etc. etc....
actually, Ubuntu's install system is pretty easy, once you know what you should install, it will check and download relevant packages by itself, not that hard.

 

[Eidorian]

hehe, yeah, thats why it is FREE, anything with license will not be packaged in free version, such as flash player, windows codec etc. etc....
actually, Ubuntu's install system is pretty easy, once you know what you should install, it will check and download relevant packages by itself, not that hard.

Synaptic and apt-get work just fine for me. Just open up the repositories or fire up Console.

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

I have 10.4 on a 400 MHz G3, and while it's not fast, it's certainly usable. I'd concentrate on upgrading the RAM, that's the biggest performance booster. It will, of course, boost Ubuntu too

I ordered a 512MB chip from a seller on eBay. Still the iBook G3 holds only 640MB, when OS-X requires 512MB.

under ubuntu
to play video: install mplayer with w32codec-all or VLC
http://www.mplayerhq.hu/design7/news.html
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
to be honest, they handle video file better than OSX

to surf internet: install firefox, when first time visit a website with flash, firefox wil remind you to install flash player. just follow the instructions.
to handle office: install openoffice.

I suggest you got Xunbuntu, which uses XFCE as desktop environment, smaller, lighter, faster.

I might have to get Xubuntu. The homeless day center uses Xubuntu, and on a 233MHz iMac it runs great! Still Ubuntu runs faster than OS-X on a G3.

I know there are problems with wireless on Linux, and have been for years. Sometimes it works, and other time not. I get online at a university with ethernet eth0 ports in numerous locations around campus, so buying an ethernet cable is a small price to pay.

 

[clevin]

yeah, wireless in linux is a pain in the axxxx. Its doable, just many restrictions and difficult to switch. a cable is much better and easier.

PS, officially, OS 10.4 asks for 256MB memory.

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

yeah, wireless in linux is a pain in the axxxx. Its doable, just many restrictions and difficult to switch. a cable is much better and easier.

PS, officially, OS 10.4 asks for 256MB memory.

10.4 with 256MB is crazy.

Well, I am not sure about this Linux thingy. Reports on the Ubuntu Forums talk about developers ditching developing for the PPC platform.

Maybe I need to save a thousand and fifty dollars for an entry level Mac Book.

 

[Eidorian]

Maybe I need to save a thousand and fifty dollars for an entry level Mac Book.

Refurb time?

 

[Chacala_Nayarit]

Refurb time?

1,049.00 USD is the education price for a Mac Book without additional features, like upgraded processors, RAM, et cetera.

Refurb, I'll check it out.