Is Ubuntu 8.04 Ready for Non-Tech Savvy?

Maybe it’s very suprising to know that very easy task could be very complicated when it comes to non-tech user. Apparently, what we think easy enough is actually hard to do when the information isn’t clear. Content Consumer had a great experiment on how regular non-tech user (in his case, his girlfriend) doing things in Ubuntu 8.04.

The main issue with the desktop experience is that the geeky programmers and designers assume too much from the average user. They assume the user knows about the way in which programs are installed, or how the file system is set out. The average user will not go out of their way to google for help or even read the associated documentation that comes with Ubuntu and its default software. The little information pop-ups and guided wizards are critical to explaining how the user can accomplish the basic tasks they most probably are trying to do.
— The Great Ubuntu-Girlfriend Experiment

Great article, and definitely great input for ubuntu development team.

WebKit GTK+ Port

Epiphany is always my browser-of-choise for my daily internet activities. It’s build on the real GTK, it’s simple, it’s light, and it’s integrated to Gnome. It is the konqueror of gnome. I’ve never had any memory leak when using Epiphany.

Epiphany is definitely fulfil my needs. I don’t need Firefox. Firefox is used only when I need it’s awesome Web Developer plugin (and Firebug, but now it didn’t work on Firefox 3 beta 5). I only use firefox when I need to design some html pages. Other than that, Epiphany is the answer. What? Adblock? Oh epiphany does have adblock.

But there is one think I always want to see in epiphany, the ability to choose rendering engine. Konqueror has this option. Konqueror user could pick Gecko or KHTML as the rendering engine. And now, KDE4 has webkit-enabled konqueror. Webkit itself is KHTML fork, and been said to be faster and better than Gecko (citation needed). Who doesn’t want faster browsing experience?

And now my dream is coming. Apparently, WebKit is being ported to GTK+. And if that is not good enough, it passed acid3 test, 100/100. For a comparison, Epiphany using Gecko 1.9 only scored 71/100.

Nice job for everyone involved. I can’t wait to use it 🙂

Welcome to Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron

Today is April 24. And today, Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron is released. The ubuntu site was down for couple hours. I couldn’t access is on 8 PM (GMT +7). It’s said Service Temporarily Unavailable. But now, 10 PM (GMT +7), the site is back online.

Welcome to the world, Hardy Heron!

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS Release Candidate

We consider this release candidate to be complete, stable, and suitable for testing by any user.

It’s released. Finally. I’ve been waiting forever. I’ve been using Hardy Heron beta in my notebook for almost a week now, and I’m very pleased with the upgrade, especially the Gnome 2.22.

Now the RC is coming, I’m pretty sure everything will be just fine. It’s time to upgrade my main box.

Sony Ericsson X1 Review

Finally, the review of very first Sony Ericsson finger touch handset. Since Apple released it’s finger touch iPhone, it seems everyone try to develop what people call iPhone killer. Well, I don’t think we need to kill it anyway. Apple is good at user interface. And that’s it. Nothing impresive in the inside.

Anyway, back to the review. Since the first time I looked at this device (in the internet of course), I loved it and very interested to have one. Despite the Windows Mobile factor, it’s still Sony Ericsson device, and God knows how I love SE. So, I’m and will always be watching every single news about this X1.

Well, at least until some good Android-ish device is out.

Cool New Compiz Effect

New Compiz Effect, Cube Cylinder. It’s not I will use it in my daily activity since I’m not into compiz effect things. But, it still great effect to be shown to all non linux user. I’ll try it when I have time.

(via planet compiz)

Why Use Linux?

– Myth 1: “Linux is hard to install”
– Myth 2: “Linux does not recognize my hardware”
– Myth 3: “Linux is too complicated to use”
– Myth 4: “There are no applications available”

Funny. It’s been 6 years since the first time I used linux as my daily OS, and I always found windows is lot harder to install. Not to mention the default applications that come along with the installation. What do you get from default windows installation? nothing.

Jason Dyok wrote nice article entitled Why Use Linux?
For you who still unsure about using linux, you should read it.

Demonoid is Back!

Demonoid, the most popular private bittorrent tracker is back after few months. Hurray!

Gentlemen, start your engines.

CSS Naked Day

Tomorrow, April 9th, is the third year of CSS Naked Day. It’s time to show of your . But I don’t know whether this blog will join or not, because this is not my own design. Maybe my other blog will.

Etymology of a Linux Distro

Ever wondered where your favourite linux distro name comes from? Find yourself. Great list.