Leopard vs Ubuntu, low-end G4s

[disconap]

So for users who aren't reliant on Mac apps, what is everyone's take on Leopard vs. Ubuntu? I am debating upgrading most of my machines to Leopard (though I am waiting for a bit to make sure most of the PPC bugs get worked out), but for my ibook, I am actually looking at Ubuntu, which (in combination with AWN) can be made to essentially emulate the look and feel of Leopard. This machine is mostly used for web updates, email, web surfing, and VLC. Actually, come to think of it, that's all it is used for. Considering the significant increase of resources used by Leopard, anyone have any opinions? Will Ubuntu outperform Leopard on a 1gHz G4 ibook, at least enough to make it worthwhile (and save me the cost of the extra license)? I'm familiar with Ubuntu (and Linux in general), but haven't installed a build in a couple of years, so I don't know how demanding current builds actually are...

 

[Queso]

I use Ubuntu 7.10 on my 867MHz PowerBook in a dual-boot with Tiger. I'd say Gutsy has the edge in speed, but the GUI takes a bit of getting used to, especially as it has a lot of Windows-like behaviour that's alien to Mac users. On the plus side all of the hardware on the PowerBook works fine, from DVD burner through Airport Extreme to Bluetooth, although one thing the PowerPC version of Gutsy doesn't do is sleep the laptop, so you have to shut it down if you want to move it. The application/update repositories are also great and definitely something that's missing in OSX.

If I were you I'd back up all your data off the iBook, install Ubuntu (you'll want the Alternative install CD ISO) and run with it for a few days. Go onto Ubuntu forums if you have any questions, they have excellent guides for setting up the basics like installing media codecs and Gnash (which is an open source Flash player). You may even find me on there

 

[disconap]

I'm already comfortable in KDE and Gnome environments, so no worries there, I'm more interested in getting more performance out of the things I'll be using it for. I was leaning heaviest towards just keeping Tiger, but you think that 7.10 outperforms Tiger?

Also, a quick google brought me this link to a patch to fix that sleep bug:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=605098

Hope that helps out!

EDIT: Nevermind, just found it.

For other PPC users, finding the port page can be kinda difficult, so here it is:

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/ports/releases/gutsy/release/

 

[dgdosen]

I use Ubuntu 7.10 on my 867MHz PowerBook in a dual-boot with Tiger.

Hey! I've got an old Powerbook (1.33 G4) I updated to Leoprard - Works Great
! and I wouldn't mind adding Ubuntu. Do the forums tell how to get that configured?

 

[Queso]

Also, a quick google brought me this link to a patch to fix that sleep bug:

Excellent news. That's the best thing about Linux, the speed that problems get ironed out. Thanks for the link

Hey! I've got an old Powerbook (1.33 G4) I updated to Leoprard - Works Great
! and I wouldn't mind adding Ubuntu. Do the forums tell how to get that configured?

It's really easy on Leopard. Just boot off the OSX installation DVD and live partition your hard disk, making sure that the first partition on the disk is the Leopard one. Then boot off the Alternate Ubuntu Install CD, type install at the prompt and follow the instructions. It will be able to create the partitions it needs from the free space on your hard disk.

 

[dgdosen]

Which Version?

From the FAQ, it looks like 6 is the last version supported on the PPC - but can we install the latest release anyway? Or do we need 6 and upgrade to 7?

 

[Queso]

Canonical dropped official support for PowerPC with 7.04, but the community picked up the distro and it is still being maintained. You can get the 7.10 ISOs from here

 

[dgdosen]

oops

Excellent news. That's the best thing about Linux, the speed that problems get ironed out. Thanks for the link

It's really easy on Leopard. Just boot off the OSX installation DVD and live partition your hard disk, making sure that the first partition on the disk is the Leopard one. Then boot off the Alternate Ubuntu Install CD, type install at the prompt and follow the instructions. It will be able to create the partitions it needs from the free space on your hard disk.

Well, I had Leopard running, and now I'm running Ubuntu....

Unfortunately I overwrote my Leopard install and I wanted to dual boot-

For those of us who refuse to read a manual - shoud I have created a partition in Leopard to use for Ubundtu? Or should I have shrunk the leopard partition so the the Ubuntu install would create an extra partion out there?

I figure I was going to get a bigger, faster, HD for this thing for about $100 - and figure I can do it right the next time.

Thanks for any advice!

Dan

 

[projectMECCA]

The only reason I dont fully switch to Ubuntu as my main OS for daily stuff is because of iTunes and iPhoto (Picasa for Linux can't compete)

I would still have my Mac OS X though for programs I use on occasion, like Logic Express, Photoshop, iMovie.

Ubuntu in my opinion looks a lot cooler than Leopard with Beryl, and I feel like a cool rebel at school with it . Not to mention OpenOffice, NeoOffice, and Microsoft Office on Mac sucks. I prefer OpenOffice on Linux or Windows any day.

Do I need Mac? Yes. Do I think Ubuntu is better for daily stuff? Yes, if only iPhoto and iTunes was Linux ported.

Too bad Disk Utility on Mac is being weird on me. I need to install ubuntu on my new macbook.

 

[Eidorian]

Canonical dropped official support for PowerPC with 7.04, but the community picked up the distro and it is still being maintained. You can get the 7.10 ISOs from here

It wasn't that hard for me the find the PowerPC distribution of 7.04 but application support is starting to drop.

Lets not even mention I tried it on a Power Mac G4 with a Radeon 9800 Pro.

 

[dgdosen]

For those of us who refuse to read a manual - shoud I have created a partition in Leopard to use for Ubundtu? Or should I have shrunk the leopard partition so the the Ubuntu install would create an extra partion out there?

Can we dual boot a 12" PowerBook with Leopard and Ubuntu?

Thanks...

Dan

 

[disconap]

It wasn't that hard for me the find the PowerPC distribution of 7.04 but application support is starting to drop.

It is, a bit. I noticed several PPC bugs that have been open for a while, and after messing with 7.10 for a day or so, I noticed that certain compatibility errors (mostly with libraries needed for Beryl and Emerald and, as a result, AWN). I also noticed that installing certain random items resolved some of the conflicts (for example, by installing and custom setting Startup Manager seems to resolve that "frequency out of range" boot/shut down issue).

I'm also messing with Xubuntu for G3 Imacs for a local charity. It's fast, and I like the XFCE interface more than the default Gnome or KDE interfaces (or even some of the mods I've messed with), oddly enough. I just think it looks smoother and nicer.

Can we dual boot a 12" PowerBook with Leopard and Ubuntu?

Yes. I believe you make the partitions in OSX and make sure your OSX install is on the first partition. There's probably a full walkthrough on the Ubuntu faq, wiki, or forums...