DreamLinux 3.0 RC1
Installation
DreamLinux may have one of the least intuitive installation processes I've seen in over 12 months - I place a lot of importance on an easy installation. In my experience if an application is difficult to install most users will get tired and stop trying. This is very much what I faced with DreamLinux.
When opting to "Install" from the LiveCD I was told "no partitions were found".
Then you're prompted with a partition detail screen explaining that I have no partitions. Without instruction I'm supposed to click on "Partition Tools" in the menu and opt for a graphical partition manager. I then create a partition.
Once I've created the partition I'm back to the original screen that is asking where I want to install DreamLinux to. Unfortunately this is also unnecessarily counter intuitive; only when you click to "Add" the selected partition to the list of selected partitions do you get any instruction as to what it wants you to do.
You need to manually select a mount-point and filesystem, as well as opting to format the partition. Unfortunately to select the filesystem and mounting point you need to hold down the left mouse button over the region (something that you seldom see in GUI design). Once you've satisfied this criteria and succesfully added the active partition to the list of selected ones... You still cannot proceed. You need to create a user and set a root password.
The installation goes fine once you've managed all of this; but if I was trying to install DreamLinux for any other purpose I would have given up and used something more intuitive (PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Pardus, lots to choose from). It's folly to pay such little attention to one of the most important elements in system adoption.
Aesthetics
DreamLinux is a decent looking release which seems to have aspirations of being an open-source OSX. Unfortunately I can't help but feel a little underwhelmed. Sure this was impressive last year for 2.2 but since then plenty of releases has surfaced with breathtaking visuals... It just feels that DreamLinux could do with getting some sexier default backgrounds because their icon design is excellent.
Connectivity and networking
This was pretty good although I can't comment on the wireless support because I was working with a wired connection. Connecting to my current network was easy and accessing files on my Windows machines (through shared folders) worked directly post install.
Media playback
While I wasn't able to watch video files from across the network (using Mplayer) I was able to watch the file locally without downloading extra codecs. I like it when distros have good 'out of the box' support for media files because it's more in-line with "average" user expectations. Still, you could just get VLC using apt.
Configuration
It's not worth discussing installed applications when Synaptic is on offer so let's look at the configuration options. The DreamLinux control panel is okay but I do think the labelling could be a bit more helpful. Alsa for example is a speaker with a magnifying glass; whereas "audio config" would be a more useful label. Sure if you're familiar with Linux you'll know what Alsa is, but that's not a good thing. The system should be easy and obvious for new users.
Conclusions
This is the RC1 release so there's plenty of time for adjustments to be made. All in all it's not a bad release as such, but it's certainly not one I'd recommend for users who have not used Linux before. The installation alone should be a big enough barrier to stop "normal" users from installing it. Sure those who understand Linux can install it and from then on it works fine; I just think the DL guys need to spend a bit more time on the installation process... Especially when underdog releases like Pardus do it so well. In my humble opinion, there are better supported, more usable releases available. Let's see what the final release is like.
I had a similar problem with 2.2 media edition, hopefully they'll have streamlined this a little by the final release.
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Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 13:28.This review is overly critical of an installer which, by your own screenshots, seems to be fairly intuitive and easy to do. Its really easy to generalize with comments like, "too hard for a normal user", to purposely slant a review in the negative direction when your "evidence" is flimsy at best. The more truthful and accurate assessment would be to say that DL was not easy for YOU, but that most other people should have no trouble with it.
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Submitted by davemc (not verified) on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 15:37.I don't know Dave, I've used many installers in my time and you couldn't even think to compare this to something like Draklive. Sure I can install most releases because it wasn't that long ago that I was installing from command line and manually partitioning.
But "normal" users won't have a clue about ext3, boot loaders and the other intricacies of installing Linux. They want a hand-holding experience as a confident installer takes them through the process without anything frightening.
Trust me on this, if I don't think it's very intuitive it really isn't.
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Submitted by seopher on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 13:28.Well, installing any OS is exactly the same problem. You NEED to know what a partition is at least, if you don't know you better keep away from installing OSes of any kind. Dreamlinux installer is completely different from others like ubuntu and pardus but it uses a simple one window configuration which for some is problematic and to others like me is awesome...actually is the same as others but executed in a different way. You don't need to be a geek to install MacOSX but even there you need to use the disk partition utility... It would be great if you play a little bit more with a distro after you write your review, i'm sure you'll find a lot more of surprises from this distro in particular.
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Submitted by MacLone (not verified) on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 19:04.As I commented below it's not a case of whether I can install a distro or not but whether I decide it's good in terms of usability (something I know about).
The real danger for DreamLinux is that there are equally good releases around that are far easier for 'normal' users to install and it seems silly to create such a barrier when the rest of the OS is actually pretty decent.
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Submitted by seopher on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 02:44.Linux is all about mastering the art of Telepathy,
I find this a weird concept ,.when windows 95, ME XP etc
are designed to make operating PC's easier
For example Fedora,..one uses Up2date, yum, yumex, apt-get,..almost 20 clicks and command line input to get anything done
Windows "update" uses about 3 clicks and its done
Dreamlinux is a pain to install
Is Linux also a conspiracy?
Why must a person scour for dependencies and repo's to download codecs etc
The countless unfinished distro's (like Dreamlinux)
are foisted on a public conditioned to believe Linux is the Holy Grail,,..but alas they are adorned with faults
Simple tasks like installing throw up basic errors
This is somewhat annoying for newbie Linux users who are used to a point an click system ...and plug and play world
Now you get confronted by meaningless screens ,..system freezing,..or Bug buddy popping up ,..but not fixing the problem
It is taken for granted that newbies are expected "to know" what to do.
Linux is supposed to be the Master of masters operating system
Yet when I install DreamLinux 4 times,..it messed up the boot...and it screwed my XP partition
But hey,...Having to re-install XP and 100 XP updates over 7 to 9 hours
is all part of the "linux experience" of superiority
The only good thing to come from south America is coffee and bananas
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/04/2008 - 23:20.> Linux is all about mastering the art of Telepathy,
> I find this a weird concept, .when windows 95, ME
> XP etc are designed to make operating PC's easier
Linux is all about choices & features.
A Simple advice for the newbie like you:
Use what works for you, leave the rest.
Also, Real user never associate Windows OS with easy of use. Try running a avi, divx, mpeg file on a base WinXP OS. Viruses, hacking, spy ware etc ring any bell.
> Windows "update" uses about 3 clicks and its done
its never was 3 click,
1. Open IE.
2. goto the website.
3. Install IE plugin.
4. Verify your machine (Windows genuine crap)
5. Click on continue
6. Select the patches you wants or not want.
7. Prey to bill that now that nothing fails, because if it fails then you are on your own.
So they are 7 clicks minimum.
Lets take the Linux (Debian)
1. open the command terminal
2. Type the following command and you are done.
apt-get update; apt-get upgrade -y
Another advice to newbies to computers like you:
Stick to more conservative Linux Distributions if you wants to play it safe such as Fedora, Mandriva, Debian, PCLinux, Red Hat.
>But hey,...Having to re-install XP and 100 XP >updates over 7 to 9 hours is all part of the "linux experience" of superiority
and the funnies of all, you yourself says that Instlling WindowsXP is a 9 hour job. Wait a minute when does one have to install Window XP to install Linux.
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Submitted by mayank johri (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 13:21.I found your last comment somewhat xenophobic and I must say I feel upset being myself south american.
I have never worked with Linux before and just getting started on this. One thing that drives me to give Linux a try is the receptive-open minded communities that hold for any of the distros I have known. You are cerainly NOT one of them and people like you may be the cause some newbies may retract from plunging into this new Linux world.
If you feel frustrated about finding a program not being as friendly as you hoped to be, just get another one, or complain about the developer's skills, NOT ABOUT THEIR RACE, NATIONALITY, CULTURE OR ETHNICITY.
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Submitted by From south america... (not verified) on Fri, 04/04/2008 - 14:38.i live in rio for more than 2 years, and dreamlinux is very much like the city.....a disaster waiting to happen
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Submitted by mark (not verified) on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 11:12.There are a lot of excellent installers available that they can use it and not spend resources trying to reinvent the wheel. They should opt for either the Ubuntu installer, or the project that is porting Anaconda for Debian. Both already work with .deb packages so should be no a big problem to modify to their needs.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 03/06/2008 - 19:27.As a Linux developer, it is very easy to forget that the words and terms used relating to Linux used every day aren't whats used in the real world.
I think the dreamlinux team need to setup a study using real PC users and get feedback from these non geeks and use this feedback to improve DreamLinux's usability.
This comment relates to most Linux Distro's out there as well!!
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 08:47.Agreed on the bizarre installer issue.
Another gripe of mine about DL (although I love the basic visuals from boot screen to login/logout), is that the great looking program launch docker is a nuisance to configure and the icons zoom underneath opened windows, defeating the purpose of this bit of functional eye-candy.
Hence, I decided to stay with PCLOS and KDE's hideable panel. Even though it doesn't give full translucent background or expandable icons with mouseover, it is very functional and easy to configure.
I recently played with gOS live cd. This E17 docker is really flash!!! I want to put it on KDE, but am not so versed at the command line to be able to do so.
- D.
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Submitted by dulwithe (not verified) on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 16:42.Agreed on the bizarre installer issue.
Another gripe of mine about DL (although I love the basic visuals from boot screen to login/logout), is that the great looking program launch docker is a nuisance to configure and the icons zoom underneath opened windows, defeating the purpose of this bit of functional eye-candy.
Hence, I decided to stay with PCLOS and KDE's hideable panel. Even though it doesn't give full translucent background or expandable icons with mouseover, it is very functional and easy to configure.
I recently played with gOS live cd. This E17 docker is really flash!!! I want to put it on KDE, but am not so versed at the command line to be able to do so.
- D.
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Submitted by dulwithe (not verified) on Fri, 03/07/2008 - 16:44.I have been tinkering with Linux distributions for 18 months or so and have tried many, especially the lighter weight distros. Dream MMGL 2.2 is a very solid,stable distro even on an old p233 laptop with 128mb of memory. It is compatible with all the Debian etch packages that I have tried. The critics of the installer seem to be embracing the other alternatives while not giving the Dream way a chance. After you have figured it out, it is indeed very intuitive and resides on "ONE SCREEN". If you have your hard drive partitioned the way you want it, either before or with the provided gparted or cfdisk, it is very simple and quick to install. It has a very good although unique package list with an easy way to install nvidia and ATI drivers. It provides good hardware detection including wireless and requires little tweaking after the install. The configuration utility is well thought out and provides gui access to all major areas of configuration. My impression is that these guys do indeed know linux and I look forward to the stable release of 3.0 scheduled for later in March.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 03/11/2008 - 02:49.Seems like you should stick to Windows as you don't seem to have a clue about Linux.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 00:39.Did you even read the review? Like at all?
I can install any Linux release - I'll do it without a GUI if I need to. The point I was making (that you clearly overlooked) is that an easy, intuitive installation process is one of the most desirable aspects of a modern Linux release.
If you're unable to understand why then you need to read some studies on user acceptance of software; otherwise you'd know that unnecessary barriers such an overly complicated installation process will have a very negative impact upon usage.
If I was a regular user and I was faced with this mess rather than something intuitive like Draklive; I would give up and move to something that cares about user experience.
Remember, there are many, many releases to choose from and that's the danger. Too many of them are equally good AND easy to install.
So please, keep the fanboy comments to a minimum.
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Submitted by seopher on Sat, 03/15/2008 - 02:41.What I find most sad is how these discussions seem to degenerate into childish squabbles because people have different opinions.
I really like Dreamlinux but I agree the installer is counter-intuitive. I also agree it's fine once you figure it out but figuring it out is the problem.
I can relate to the levels of frustration expressed by the poster who speaks of mastering the art of telepathy. Coming from Windows, it does feel like that doesn't it?
As far South America's only worthwhile exports being coffee and bananas...ever heard of Pele?
My wife is from Brazil - apparently the most Linux-friendly nation on Earth - she is pretty amazing.
As for the snide comment about sticking to Windows because 'you don't seem to have a clue about Linux'. Isn't that exactly the point? Windows works fine for the non-techie. To get the best out of Linux you HAVE to know more technical stuff. I like and use Windows and Linux but I am an ICT technician and that is a distinct advantage.
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Submitted by Mr B (not verified) on Mon, 03/24/2008 - 10:29.I have used windows for 25 years and now I want to use Linux. I have tried ubuntu 7.10 and an older version of pclinuxos{2005}. Installation was not intuitive like windows and the install of either never booted. The live cds were great in both, but install was a nightmare. C'mon guys come up with an easy install for us old windows dogs and that distro will fly. Nobody likes Bill.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 21:10.I've tried DL 3 as well. The system's updating tool did not work well. After updating the system - using DL recommendations - X11 didn't want to wake up.
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Submitted by Claudio Henrique (not verified) on Tue, 03/25/2008 - 17:21.Dream Linux is one of my favourite distro's. It's very fast and pretty. I'm using Linux Mint right now, but I can't refuse trying out every new release of DL. It's just a joy.
I wish there was more support for .deb installation out of the box. Because I like having the latest software, and not only what they offer in their repository.
But: It's a great distro. My brother is hooked on it!
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Submitted by Freedisk.nl (not verified) on Sun, 03/30/2008 - 19:25.Such stupid comments,Linux,Mac and Windows are like cars,they are all different.They all are made for different purposes.You cant compare a Ferrari with an Renault Twingo.They arent the same.Some likes Fedora,somes likes Debian and so on.I have tried more then 30 distros in my life and i have been using linux for more than 5 years.I wish i could have discovered it before.
Dreamlinux 3 is a good distro,it has its flaws like other distros.I think you guys should point out the yours problems to the forum,i guess they will be happy to find or help with a solution for it.
By the way Windows sucks!!!How in the world you pay 100 euros for an OS that you need to have so much shit to make it safe to use.
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Submitted by PokoLoko (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2008 - 07:11.cost of ownership = 0
who buys windows anyway for 100 euros? everybody gets a free copy anyway these days.
user friendliness
windows is more userfriendly than linux. go ask those millions of users worldwide who use it.
ease of general installation
windows beats linux hands down.
hardware/peripheral detection and automatic installation
windows beats linux again.
availability of third party software
windows trashes linux.
quality and variety of software available
windows wins again.
stability:
linux trashes the old windows 95, 98 etc...
however starting with xp, there is not much difference anymore.
cannot say much about vista, haven't played with it yet.
and yet I am a linux user. I use mandriva. however unlike the other linux users, I am not blind to its imperfection.
only by being aware of one's weakness can one improve oneself.
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Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2008 - 02:36.Post new comment