Ubuntu netbook remix install for eeePC: what happens to Xandros?
 

Using eeePC1000 with Xandros installed and investigating installation of Ubuntu, especially seeing that there was a netbook version. Have had some problems creating a bootable USB, but followed a thread on the netbook forum that I think will be useful. Before going ahead I wanted some advice on a few things:

- does the Ubuntu OS install over Xandros or is there work to be done post install to clear Xandros out?
- if i want to keep using Thunderbird, StarOffice etc. as supplied with Xandros can I install these to Ubuntu?

Sorry if above all seems obvious: sites I've been to, or books are great at telling you about how good the OS is and how to install but nothing on what happens to the old OS. Grateful your advice!

Probably Xandros will be overwritten, but you can choose to do "manual partitioning" at install, which will let you do as you please. If you are happy to lose Xandros (I was) then just overwrite it.
Ubuntu has a huge free software repository: Openoffice comes by default, thunderbird is there. No staroffice, as I think that's the commercial (you have to pay for it) version of Openoffice. OpenOffice works very well for me. If you don't like it, I am sure you could pay for staroffice.

dual boot or complete install
 

Hi there,

On install you can choose between dual boot (running two operating systems side by side) or 'use entire disc' will wipe everything and install your new operating system (ubuntu).

Dual boot means you can choose between xandros and ubuntu at time of boot up.

'star office' is almost identical to 'open office' which is available for ubuntu thunderbird is also available for most linux distros including ubuntu.

don't forget to back every thing up (to a separate drive) if you choose to do a complete install.

hope this helps

mark

Before you begin...

You might use the command "fdisk -l" to see what your partition table looks like and take notes. The command requires root privileges.

There have been many threads here by people caught out by the automatic installation and partitioning proposal presented by Ubuntu when it's installed. You can open the GParted partitioner on a Ubuntu live-cd to become familiar with it, or to use it, before installing anything.

thanks for advice! re staroffice/openoffice: all good, just if i have the software already i wondered if it was possible to carry on using it. with thunderbird, i was more considering access to messages.

I don't think you can just copy Staroffice over as it was configured for Xandros.
If you want to keep your emails, I think thunderbird stores them in mbox format - just copy this file over. Maybe there's an "Import / Export mails" function in the menus ?

It might be best just to backup your xandros installation (Plenty of HOWTOs on http://forum.eeeuser.com )before you start, that way you can always go back if you want to.

Thunderbird import/export?
 

Yeh, it's been a while since i've used thunderbird but I'm pretty sure it's a straight forward export to file (mbox?)then import file to new install of Thunderbird later. Contacts are same using standard .CSV file format.

thanks to all with advice: i have been clicking on the little thumbs up sign to say 'thanks' on the posts, but doesn't seem to do anything!

re thunderbird: there is a smartsave application that i installed but doesn't seem to work at all - re-creates the inbox folders very nicely but nothing actually exported. the .mbox files should be easily backed up is my guess.

re star vs openofffice: was only aware that the main difference was that one was free. i was only wondering, since i already have star office, if i can continue to access it if i install ubuntu.

thanks again, will give it a go!

Well, my "Thanked" count seems to be creeping up, so feel free to keep up the good work ;)
Yes, you "have" it, but the version you have installed on Xandros will not be ported to ubuntu easily. Few linux programs are like windows exe files - they have dependencies, libraries and whatnot, on which they depend.

Xandros probably doesn't ship with the staroffice.x.y.z.deb package which you would need to install it on ubuntu, and even then you'd probably need to type in something that let it know you did (or Xandros did, on your behalf) pay for it at one time.

So, as I said, I suggest you just try Openoffice, which comes with the default ubuntu, because I think you'll find it is fine. If not I think there's a 30-day free trial of Staroffice, and you could try that, but then I think you'd have to pay for it again. Try sending them a nice email, and asking them.

Star office v Open offfice.
 

Some one correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Star Office generally a couple of versions behind Open office. i.e.Open office is more cutting edge and has more of the latest features, but is probably not quite as stable as the paid for version?

My eeepc came with Star office on M$ but I gave it the flick straight away when I saw the version was way behind the latest Open office.