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by DungFu 5686 days ago
man, you don't have an ethernet internet connection, yet you are installing ubuntu...

I think it is obvious what is wrong with this picture.

That aside, this will be a great improvement for ubuntu as constant progression will allow for more bug fixes and cool new features on a more regular basis (not 6 months apart)

2 comments

I've been installing Linux since about 1999 and it's only this year that I've got internet via eth0; I'm in the UK. Makes things a damn site easier.

There are probably still a lot of places where dialup or wifi is easier to come by than ethernet.

A few things to remember for those with uncertain wireless support

1) Don't forget you can easily try Ubuntu and wireless devices on most x86 laptops in the Live CD mode before you install. If driving somewhere to buy a USB device, bring the laptop along. You might also be able to run a Live CD and try a USB wireless device on another machine in the store (ask for permission first!)

2) If there's a Mac laptop handy, OS X doesn't need any extra software installed to share the laptops wireless access out the ethernet port, allowing simple DHCP connections. Just go to the Sharing prefs panel. (add a hub or switch to share with several machines)

3) Instead of using a Mac, some routers with free open-source DD-WRT firmware installed can also act as WiFi clients giving access to machines plugged into the ethernet port(s). Older WRT-54Gs often turn up cheap at thrift stores etc. and are ideal. (some versions have more RAM than others, check the DD-WRT site www.dd-wrt.com/ for more info) It's a good way to add wireless to desktops.

4) ... and of course Ubuntu runs well in a Virtual Box virtual machine, an easy way to use it under OS X or Windows hosts with whatever net access those already have. virtualbox.org It's a particularly simple/clean free solution for Mac users, not disturbing OS X at all.

That you have never once been forced to install ubuntu without an ethernet connection suggests that it is YOUR picture in which there is something wrong!

I mean, when I think back on the late-afternoon reinstalls I would do in the middle of class in a lecture hall... Sure, I could have waited until later, but I ask you what kind of a geek would I be then!?