Ubuntu Netbook Remix (UNR) is a modified version of Ubuntu specially for the netbooks. The latest version of UNR interface has been heavily customized to make it looks/functions good in small screen. It includes a new consumer-friendly interface that allows users to quickly and easily get on-line and use their favourite applications. It is optimised to run on a new category of affordable Internet-centric devices called netbooks.
Installation:
One of the best features added to UNR for netbook owners is the USB Start Disk creator tool. This makes it damn simple to create a bootable USB disk from any number of different distribution formats including IMG, ISO and others.
With a bootable USB containing UNR in hand, we proceed to boot and run from the USB disk without installing. This option actually works quite well and includes the ability to save files and make modifications to the OS. First download the image file from the ubuntu’s servers, then use any disk imager to ‘write’ the image file to your flash drive. You’ll even have the ability to view local file systems including Windows partitions as always on any linux.
Installing to a local hard drive is easy. The process is fast, too, so don’t stay gone too long after answering that last question.
Boot Time:
It takes just 25-35 seconds to fully boot up. Earlier versions like Ubuntu 8.10 used to take nearly 1 minute to fully boot up.
Smaller Screens:
UNR has been around since Ubuntu 8.04 and has taken on some pretty stiff competition of late from Moblin. UNR is targeted at Ubuntu users looking for a compact and small display-friendly version of their favorite distribution. It brings the majority of the applications found in the desktop distribution along with a few user interface (UI) tweaks to make it a little easier to do what you need to do.
However, Moblin’s stated goals include such things as minimal boot time, high productivity centered around social networking tools like twitter, last.fm and all the popular chat services. It also uses a completely different desktop approach using what they call zones. The idea behind this concept is to group activities into zones for quick access and context switching. With this context we’ll proceed with our investigation.
UI Tweaks:
UNR uses a few tricks, one of these is to combine the top status bar to hold both the typical launch bar icons and what would normally be the top status bar of an application. It also adds a horizontal tabbed list of applications on the left-hand side of the screen starting with Favorites and then Files & Folders, Accessories, Games, Internet, Office, Sound & Video and System.
By default, the icons for each item are large and easy to select when you move your mouse over them. Another nice touch is the plus sign that appears when you hover over the icon with your mouse for adding that application to your favorites menu.
Conclusion:
UNR definately a good netbook os for netbook users. It provides anyone familiar with Ubuntu the same commands and applications you’ll find in the desktop edition. It also makes it simple to sync your files between your main machine with ease.
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jonboy60
I’m a Malaysian, my name is Jon Loh (jonboy60) living in Kuala Lumpur and working in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Jonboy60.com is a blog magazine about Linux and other open source softwares. All about to a daily jobs or real life experiences I had since the year 2002 administrating Linux and Windows server in a hosting company. Basically i will be offering Linux tips, howto, tricks, latest news and tutorial. Contact Me for Career opportunities, business offers, Linux solutions for business or home, web and email server solutions, Linux consulting and expertise requests. Email to me on jonboy60{@}gmail.com. The site I’m running is VenCouture.com – Malaysia Online Fashion Shopping Boutique, VenCouture. We sell fashion clothes, sexy lingeries, baby clothing and etc.
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