Ubuntu 9.10 Quick Guide

1. partitioning

If you’re using alternative image to install Ubuntu from ISO without CD, you’ll find that the problem of unable partitioning hard disk is solved. That problem exists in both 8.10 and 9.04 releases. In the installation wizard, there is a newly added dialog to ask if you want to umount the hard disk. Choose yes if you want to partition hard disk.

2. coexisting with Windows XP

If your computer has Windows XP and Ubuntu coexisting, and want to keep using Windows boot loader to intialize computer. You need to install Ubuntu boot loader to a location other than MBR, for example, I installed it to /dev/sda6 which is the root partition (/) of my Ubuntu installation. Since Ubuntu 9.10, GRUB2 replaces GRUB. The dd approach doesn’t work any more. The grub4dos tool offers us a workaround: NTLDR -> grldr -> grub -> grub2 -> Ubuntu. It’s not perfect but works.

1. Extract grldr from grub4dos package, and put it into Windows C:\ folder.
2. Create a text file menu.lst under C:\ folder. The content of menu.lst as following:

   title grub4dos
   root (hd0,5)
   kernel /boot/grub/core.img
   boot

3. Add the following to the end of boot.ini

   C:\grldr="grub4dos"

3. Chinese input method

IBus replaces SCIM in Ubuntu 9.10. I like IBus, but seems that the factory settings of IBus in Ubuntu 9.10 are not correct. Open IBus Preferences, switch to the “Input Method” tab, delete all existing methods from the list, then add “PinYin” method into the list.

4. adjustments

4.1. default font

By default, Ubuntu 9.10 uses the embedded bitmap font of WenQuanYi ZenHei. I don’t know why not use vector font. It’s weird. Follow this post to enable vector font.

4.2. desktop interface

Open Appearance Preferences, and switch to the “Interface” tab. Make sure the item “Show icons in menus” is checked, and select “Icons only” in the drop list of “Toolbar button labels”.

5. problems and workarounds

5.1. Eclipse

In Ubuntu 9.10, mouse clicking on some buttons of Eclipse doesn’t work, but keyboard works. This bug is fixed in Eclipse 3.6M2. If you’re using 3.5.x or earlier release, there is a workaround for you.

5.2. Lotus Notes 8.5.x

Lotus Notes fails to draw several windows in Ubuntu 9.10. IBM is going to fix this bug in next minor release 8.5.2. If you’re using 8.5.1, like me, or 8.5.0, don’t worry, there is also an easy workaround (in #13 reply).