Choosing Partition for Ubuntu/XP Install
 

Hi, all. Like most long-time Windows users, I am a bit (very!) confused by the manual partitioning of Linux, and particularly the semi-guided partitioning of Ubuntu 10. I first tried Ubuntu way back in version 5, and it was easy to install, I could identify the correct partition by SIZE, not the enigmatic sdb1(0,1,0) nomenclature used in 10.

I set up a 32GB partition, figuring I could install Ubuntu to that, letting it manage the entire space. Instead, I can't even figure out which drive or partition is which (three hard drives, 8 partitions).

Why can't Linux (most distros--some are clear) at least give you a "sdb (0,1,0) 25.6GB" "hint" that you are installing to where you want to?

I've tried thirty versions/distros of Linux over the years (starting with Corel Linux) and for the same handful of reasons, never replaced Windows, or for that matter, even used Linux much.

1) Partitioning woes (explained above)
2) Inability to play well with Windows networks
3) ALSA? I've NEVER gotten it to work for me; it either works out of the box or I never have sound
4) Needing to download every audio and video codec and it's associated libraries to play an mp3 and watch a Divx movie
5) Completely non-intuitive naming of almost every part of Linux (why can't the names at least hint at what they are?)

Yes, I want a more Windows-like Linux. I grew up with the DOS command prompt. Been there, done that. Ain't going back.

I agree with every one of your complaints.

It seems that recent versions of Linux distributions have taken a bad direction in several areas. The installer is one of those areas.

You may have better luck with Linux Mint 10.
http://http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

You may help yourself if you create both a Linux system partition AND a swap partition using Windows. The swap partition could be 2 GB in size.

during the installation you choose "custom disk partition" or "manual disk partition" The Linux Mint installer makes the partitions easier to visualize. You must tell the installer to put the Linux system partition mount point at / which is the up slash. Tell the installer that the swap partition is "type swap".

I recently (last week) installed Linux Mint 10 but the details are starting to fade from my memory. I just remember that disk partitioning was easy to visualize. But I only have one physical disk in my machine.

Easiest way would be to not make partitions for Ubuntu, but delete them. Then at install time let Ubuntu simply use the free space.

To your complaints:
1. Should be solved if you don't create partitions, but let the installer do it automatically in the free space.
2. I have never had any problems with that, what are your issues?
3. Same as with 2, what are your issues?
4. Try Linux Mint, it comes with all that preinstalled.
5. It is only unintuitive because it is not named like in Windows. Windows namings are also not intuitive, only thing is that you are used to their namings, it has nothing to do with unintuitive.

I think the problem that most people have, when they want to change to Linux, is that they expect Linux to be like a free Windows replacement. But it is not, Linux was invented as a free Unix replacement. Maybe you should have a look here.

I can't comment on installers, I don't use them on my home PC's (Gentoo), and when doing so in other computers I usually just empty the drive(s) and start afresh, so partitioning is hardly an issue there. However I am surprised that it is that hard to guess it. Installers should offer a clear view of your drives. Bad for them if they don't. You can always choose another distribution. The installers are not part of Linux itself and each distro do have its own, so if you don't like *buntu's one pick SuSE or anything else.

You should also be able to use control+alt+f1, to go to a terminal, and then use fdisk -l to try to guess yourself. I agree that's far from intuitive, though.

Windows networks are a pain by design, nothing to do with Linux. Linux can do ok with CIFS and Samba based networks. But these networks usually fail, it doesn't matter you are on a Windows or Linux machine. If you have a more concrete problem just ask for a solution. The fact that something doesn't fit your desires with a default setup doesn't mean it's broken or bad.

ALSA is probably the most buggy piece in Linux. Pile that up with pulse, jack and a few others... But, in any case, the problem(s) you have might have an easy solution. Again, open a thread when you have a problem and look for a solution.

Oh, right, in Windows you don't need to download codecs (nor drivers, nor anything else, right?). Maybe something happened while I was asleep.

5) Completely non-intuitive naming of almost every part of Linux (why can't the names at least hint at what they are?)

It's called "Windows". If you want Windows use Windows. It's a nonsense to do otherwise.

All in all, it seems you are in anger because "Linux is not Windows (TM)".

Hi,

@OP Not to be smart but;
'(Linux is Not Windows) Refers to the GNU/Linux OS and various Free & Open-Source Software (FOSS) projects under the catch-all name of "Linux". It scans better and a Great Article'

You may have started at DOS, but MS-DOS started indirectly from UNIX style via CP/M.

Modern Gnu/Linux shouldn't even be compared to MS-DOS since DOS is so archaic. Gnu/Linux cli surpasses DOS commands even back in 1993. Gnu/Linux OS and MS-DOS OS are different animals. Darn, that Apple thing keeps slipping in. :)

As to the semantics & syntax issues you seem to be having with Gnu/Linux here's a few links to aid you to gaining some understanding;



1 Linux Documentation Project

2 Rute Tutorial & Exposition

3 Linux Command Guide 

4 Bash Beginners Guide

5 Bash Reference Manual

6 Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide

7 Linux Newbie Admin Guide

8 LinuxSelfHelp

9 Getting Started with Linux


The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!