undefined | Better HN

0 pointsloloquwowndueo3y ago0 comments

I started using Ubuntu for the opposite reason: getting compiz working on Debian was a nightmare, but on Ubuntu, desktop effects just worked.

This was well over a decade ago though :)

0 comments

3 comments · 1 top-level

JohnFen3y ago· 2 in thread

But it sounds like you got Debian to work -- you just couldn't get compiz to work, which sucks.

What I mean is that I can't get Ubuntu to work at all. On my luckiest tries, I've managed to get the desktop to show, but everything is still highly unstable and I've never pushed on to trying to install software.

I used to think it was driver issues, except I've had similar symptoms on three different machines. And before people jump down my throat -- I'm not saying this is a problem with Ubuntu. I admit that I must be doing it wrong. But it's a showstopper deal for me anyway.

Admittedly, the last time I tried was a few years back. Eventually, I just had to give up and move on with my life.

bee_rider3y ago

That’s interesting, do you have unusual hardware?

As a fairly begrudging Ubuntu user (I put it on a laptop because I didn’t want to screw around with finding drivers, memories of trying to get wifi working on Arch with some dongles haunt me), I have to say I don’t really like it much overall but they’ve got the “getting to the desktop” experience down pretty well.

JohnFen3y ago

> do you have unusual hardware?

No. I do tend to use old hardware, but tried it on a mainstream new laptop one time. On that, I couldn't get the WiFi to work with it.

What baffles me is that on all of these machines, Debian works out of the box. In fact, Debian's never failed me on any of the many machines (including laptops) I've put it on.

Ubuntu is based on Debian, so I can't explain the difference. As I said, it's been a while and perhaps they've fixed issues, but I've moved on. My life is no poorer for it.

The only thing is that it means I can't recommend Ubuntu to people (not only because I wouldn't be able to support them if they have trouble, but what am I supposed to say? "I can't make it work, but use this!"?)

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse