This edition of Ubuntu (known as Netbook Remix in versions of Ubuntu prior to 10.04) is a different kettle of fish altogether, because it’s been totally redesigned specifically for use on Netbook PCs (see Figure 15-9), which generally have less processing power and smaller screens. If you have such a device and find your current operating system to be slow and somewhat unresponsive, the Netbook Edition may be just what you need.
As you can see, the icons and menus of the Netbook Edition have been enlarged to take account of the small screens on Netbooks, with the main applications you are likely to use already placed on the desktop in the Favorites menu.
Using the Netbook Edition is similar to Ubuntu, except the menus from the top left of the desktop are no longer there. Instead, each item you select from the lefthand menu displays its contents on the desktop to the right, making for a very easy interface.
To install the Netbook Edition, you will need to burn the ISO image in the distros directory of the DVD supplied with this book to a blank disc, or to a bootable USB drive if your Netbook doesn’t have an optical drive. Installation is quite easy because you just follow the prompts to tell it about your location and keyboard, and the installer then gets on with the rest.
I think that if you try it, you’ll find this edition of Ubuntu to be an excellent alternative to your original operating system.
Warning
If you choose to replace your current operating system, rather than setting the Netbook Edition up alongside it as part of a dual boot setup, I recommend that you make sure you have backed up the hard disk using a disk imaging application such as the free Macrium Reflect program, which is available at http://macrium.com/reflectfree.asp. This is just a precaution in case you experience problems and need to restore your computer to its original state. Remember that if you don’t want to install Ubuntu Netbook Edition on your Netbook without testing it out first, you can always install it in a virtual machine using a program such as Sun’s VirtualBox. Details on how to do this are in Chapter 2.
Starting with Ubuntu 10.04, Ubuntu Netbook Edition is the new name for Ubuntu Netbook Remix. The name change is in recognition of the distribution now being much more than a simple remix. However, since the ISO file on the DVD supplied with this book is for version 9.10, it is called by its old name, Netbook Remix.