After failing to get Ubuntu to install this week, I downloaded the Kubuntu DVD image and used it to boot my notebook. It looked very similar to Ubuntu during the startup process, and left me at KDE desktop instead of a Gnome desktop (hence the K in the name). I’ve come to prefer KDE over the past couple of years because it’s easier to switch between Windows and KDE - the metaphors are similar. I haven’t bothered to take the time to get my head around what Gnome is doing. For me, KDE just works.

The install process was also very similar, but this time an option to format the partitions as they were created was available. It made a difference - I was able to create, format, and then install to a partition created in the unallocated 20gigs on my disk.

The rest of the install process was a breeze. The only change to the system I felt necessary after initially installing was to enable the root account. I appreciate that working in a non-root account and using sudo is a safer way of administering the machine, but I prefer to su into root as necessary and do a bunch of tasks at once.

I haven’t worked on the notebook under Kubuntu as of yet, but I’m pleased the install was smooth.