HTC Shift-what distro should I install?

rapattack · 01-20-2009, 07:20 AM

Hi a friend wants to get into Linux on his little pc but from what I can see maybe he can because of the complex features of this pc. Here is some info on it: http://www.htc.com/au/product/shift/overview.html
Got any advice?

Mara · 01-21-2009, 04:47 PM

It looks nearly like a standard PC, I have only doubts about this wireless HSDPA/UMTS modem. Any distro should run on it, at least at the basic level, so I recommend to go with the one you know best.

rapattack · 01-22-2009, 02:12 AM

Well my friend has to be the user of the machine and I don't want him asking me too many questions. He needs to get on forums like I do and ask the community or reads documents. He is far too impatient and I like the idea that windows is still there for him and he can uninstall Ubuntu at any time. And I have just spent over a year with Ubuntu so at least if I feel like answering questions I can. Plus there is the extra little things like that it is a phone. I dunno that page I read was pretty convincing.

joboy · 03-28-2011, 10:17 PM

I installed 10.10 on the Shift and most things worked out of the box except wifi and bt, I googled for days but can't find any solution, all info I can get is outdated doesn't work with 10.10, and I read somewhere the Shift has build in GPS but can only activate via windows with special tool, but without wifi the Shift is just another paper weight to me, so I desperately need wifi working, I appreciate any help thanks !!

rapattack · 03-28-2011, 11:14 PM

As far as i know my friend did get Ubuntu working on the HTC but i forgot what version. He googled and found a youtube video. Anyway as far as i know he is not using it now and might be selling it. I think he ended up giving up and sending it to London to have windows installed back on it. He is not very techie and hasn't given linux a good go. He was intimidated by the commands. Sorry i didn't have any better news.

joboy · 03-29-2011, 12:38 AM

The other reason I want the internal wifi working is the short battery life of this machine, any add on adapter will kill the battery faster, currently I can only use USB cell phone tethering to get it online, which at the same time the Shift is charging up my phone I can't prevent.