Xubuntu + 3D Xgl Compiz Eye Candy

[geevee]

Finally got my eeeXubuntu ala Mac OS wannabe working. Xubuntu is impressive once tweaked, it loads a slightly longer than Xandros KDE. It is snappier than Xandros once loaded.

I installed everything on a 4GB partition of my 8GB SDHC card (eeeXubuntu consumed 2GB for a fully loaded install). I noticed a few bugs I could live with. Compiz Fusion is fantastic! it takes the desktop to a new level never experienced with Windows XP or Xandros. Graphics seem 3D, with very good animations. It can be complex to configure, but rewarding once configured...

Here are some screenshots...

I tweaked my desktop to be similar to Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. eeeXubuntu can look like Leopard with a few minor modifications nerds can easily do.. I added Cairo-Dock and skinned it like Leopard.



Just like Xandros it has multiple desktops. You can view the desktops side by side. You can even drag the contents of one desktop to another desktop.



Everyone knows how frustrating it is to use the eee for webpages optimized for big screens. I installed Opera 9.50 to overcome this problem...

No more scrolling guys!!! I also installed Emerald Theme Manager and a Leopard plugin so it looks like a Mac..



The ring switcher of Compiz Fusion is cool!!! you can even see the video playing!!



This other switcher is also cool!!!



You can even rotate the contents of your four desktops in a cube!! The eee can handle it briskly!!! No sweat for such a small machine.....



With the window preview of Compiz activated, one can see the contents of a task by simply pointing on the task icon!!!



After playing with Xubuntu and Ubuntu for a few days, all I could say is "The best things in life are truly free...."

[NoisyNoisyAde]

You convinced me. eeeXubuntu it is for me.

Now if only I didn't make so many mods on my Xandros install...

Question: any disadvantages so far on using eeeXubuntu? I have a 4g and obviously I can't partition my Eee.

EDIT: By the way, blogged!

[mark_eee]

kewl...

[topnode]

double coolness

which bugs could you live with geevee?

[mark_eee]

wla bang ganito for winxp? gusto ko din yung narorotate ung mga drsktops parang sa itouch?

[geevee]

Advantages:

1. Its so customizeable! You can make it look like a Mac or Windows. Just add Compiz and you have a 3D desktop!

2. Effects of Compiz are just fascinating! Multiple desktops rotating in a cube, or side by side in a expo. Nicer animation. Fascinating application switchers. These are just a few of Compiz Fusion features.

3. Its so snappy! Applications open in a snap. Xubuntu is designed for older, lower spec processors. Im running it without a swapfile, 512MB ram and it flies. No slowdowns, freezes.

4. ITS FREE!!! Why make Bill richer???

5. Applications are easier to install than Xandros. There are hundreds of applications on the Ubuntu repositories!! Name it they have a equivalent app. Everything is FREE!!!

6. Its stable! It doesn't seem to crash like XP.

7. It connects with the internet out of the box. When I installed xubuntu it detected my router on its first boot.

Disadvantages:

1. Can't play Mp3s and other video formats out-of-the-box. You need to download a media player and codecs to play various multimedia files.

2. Xandros has more apps out-of-the box. You have to install Open Office separately when you need it. Sure it has the ultra fast Abiword and Gnumeric (Word processor and Spreadsheet), but its no Word or Excel.

3. Bugs.
   a. I noticed the suspend isn't working so I had to disable it.
   b. The wifi is always on. You need a scipt to disable it. (Its now working after installing EEE-scriptpack 2.1)
   c. The wifi signal seems weak but its not.. From my kitchen Xandros indicates a 20% signal. eeeXubuntu indicates 6% but can still connect despite the lower signal.
   d. I cant seem to save wifi pass-keys. Xubuntu asks for the pass-keys twice.
   e. The battery indicator is not accurate.
   f. The function keys are working, but the OSD is not (Its now working after installing  EEE-scriptpack 2.1)

4. You need a "Shinrai" to help you configure the Eye Candy 3D features! Its a breeze for techies but not for tech wannabees.

[shinrai]

Weee! Cover Flow on the eee. Now we just have to see if you need more ram and stuff to make it smooth running

[awidyaputranto]

wla bang ganito for winxp? gusto ko din yung narorotate ung mga drsktops parang sa itouch?

try yodm 3D here: http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=1286

[dix-neuf "deeznuff"]

wow, but wouldn't it be nice to have Xandros default EeePC distro + 3D Xgl Compiz ?
This way we can also have the comfortable hardware support by Xandros
the main prob then would be finding 3D Xgl Compiz .deb packages that's tailored to the Eeep

[awidyaputranto]

wow, but wouldn't it be nice to have Xandros default EeePC distro + 3D Xgl Compiz ?
This way we can also have the comfortable hardware support by Xandros
the main prob then would be finding 3D Xgl Compiz .deb packages that's tailored to the Eeep

meron...it's beryl...just google it...
cantosph.com (http://cantosph.com/installing-beryl-on-asus-eee-pc/) installed it already though he experienced problem in installation....

[geevee]

Tried beryl on my EEE. Also encountered problems. Had to do a F9 reset because of that.

[acantos]

I think you don't really need Xandros. If we talk about the advantages/disadvantages, it's a fair battle between Xandros and eeeXubuntu.

If you really want the 3D effects and all, switch to eeeXubuntu. it's easy to install and configure, plus customizations are continuously popping out from many contributors.

btw, That customization up there is really cool. I used AWN on mine and it's not that cool compare to this one.

and btw, I already uninstall AbiWord/GNUSpreadsheet and replaced them with OpenOffice. Installing software on eeeXubuntu is far easier than Xandros.

[dix-neuf "deeznuff"]

I'm more concerned on having the out-of-the-box experience that xandros offers (wi-fi etc) just don't want to live with the bugs mentioned in this thread.
It's either I wait for eeeXubuntu bugs to be solved before I switch or I install Compiz (I've tried Beryl) on Xandros (if that's even possible).

found this one http://www.r3uk.co.uk/index.php/home/36-useful-information/79-eeepc-tips-and-tricks#compiz I'm gonna try this one out I think.  Hope it works 

[geevee]

Amen to that. Its so easy to install applications on Xubuntu. All applications on Xandros are also available for Xubuntu, plus hundreds more. Apps written for Ubuntu will also run on Xubuntu. I was initially skeptical but now I'm a believer.

If you like tinkering and tweaking "Xubuntu" is the OS for you! If you like everything out-of-the-box "Xandros" is for you...

Being a linux newbie I started using Xandros when I got the EEE, then installed Ubuntu on my desktop. Wow Ubuntu is the coolest desktop OS I've tried!!! The Ubuntu experience convinced me to try Xubuntu on my EEE and I haven't looked back from there...

[dix-neuf "deeznuff"]

exactly, Ubuntu rocks...I just wish na programmer ako para makatulong na maclean up ung bugs regarding getting Eeep hardware to work seamlessly in Ubuntu...kaso hindi e....pero gusto ko ng Compiz....try ko to muna and then see kung pwde...