I managed to get the enhanced video working and that lead to getting compiz working which allowed me to install the avant-window-manager and then I needed VMWare Player.

I opted for a different virtual desktop. Rather than the “cube” I went with a “wall”. I figure that I end up spinning the cube around looking for a blank side or where I left my email client so why not just look at all the side like post-it notes on a wall.

I’ll try to document my configuration in case there are others with a T60p (and perhaps even work for the same company) that want to give Ubuntu a go.

Once I upload this post, I am shutting down and making a complete image of this machine !

Initial Install

The initial install went very smoothly and was done pretty quick. Within about 30 minutes my “install from scratch” was done and usable. However, all of the touted cool UI (compiz fusion) was not working on my Thinkpad T60p. A lot of trial and error and Google searches and three more complete re-installs to clean up all the errors of those trials and I gave up. I will live with the basic interface until someone else figures it out because I got now where but frustration-ville.

Next, I needed to make my work machine (the Thinkpad T60p) ready for work. I installed the corporate software and that started the trial and error process again. And yes, again I ended up performing a fresh re-installing of Ubuntu to clean up the errors and finally installed the minimum of the corporate software.

Upgrade Install

My test machine - a Thinkpad T40 - has been running the 7.04 release for a few weeks and now it was time to try the “upgrading” it. The upgrade process was nearly automatic as far as number of questions, clicks, and keystrokes I had to accomplish. Then it was about 5 hours of automated downloading of bits and bytes followed by about 2 hours of installs and updates. Unfortunately, the end result was a dead configuration. The screen stays blank. So, that machine will also get a fresh install when I have the time.

in-Stability

The final topping on the challenges of the Ubuntu 7.10 came this morning when I noticed the machine was “very very slow”. I looked at the system monitor and found that Nautilus was using 100% of one CPU. It turns out this is a bug that has already been reported by a number of users.

I expect all of these issues will wok out eventually but for today - 4 days after release - it is not as stable as I need it to be. I will use what I have for the next month before I try again.

One of the most valuable bits of data you will need if the exact model of video card. My Thinkpad T60p had the ATI Mobility FireGL V5200. The T61 has an Intel and there are plenty of posts about each. I have not started back on the T40 yet.

So, my advice to anyone who has Ubuntu running and has not yet started with 7.10 - *WAIT* ! If you have a Thinkpad or other laptop, do your homework first. Also, I strongly recommend you have a good image backup solution. I really like Partimage. I guess I should take this in stride. Ubuntu is a lot of work for a “free” operating system. I commend the community for their efforts. I am sure things will get better. I just wonder if they knew something with they code named this release “Gutsy” ?! (BTW: a Google image search for Gutsy Gibson gave me the unexpected flash back …)