Wubi 8.04.1

Publisher's description of Wubi

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Wubi is an officially supported Ubuntu installer for Windows users that can bring you to the Linux world with a single click. Wubi allows you to install and uninstall Ubuntu as any other Windows application, in a simple and safe way. No need to burn a CD, just run the installer, enter a password for the new account, and click "Install". Wubi will download and prepare the required files, and ask you to reboot in order to complete the installation. You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu.

Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application. Version 8.04.1 includes unspecified updates.

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Editor's review of Wubi

This app is one of the easiest ways to add Ubuntu to your Windows system. Wubi's dialog interface requires users to select a mere six options to install the Linux OS. Don't expect help with this utility. Users are expected to have a basic understanding of Linux and booting into alternate operating systems.

Selecting the install drive, hard-drive space, language, username, and password is quick with pull-down selectors. The most difficult decision is choosing the environment from Ubuntu, Kbuntu, Xubuntu, and UbuntuStudio. Users are expected to know which they would prefer, as no information is given about the options. While this is truly a one-click install of Linux, it isn't fast. The first step downloads an almost 700MB ISO image used to install Linux. After the download, the app takes a considerable time unpacking and installing the OS. Boot into Ubuntu and there is another wait as the OS completes setting preferences and options. It is all without user intervention, though.

A last reboot and you have a clean, handy Linux OS on your PC. Numerous apps are preinstalled and configured. Seconds after first log-in our testers were browsing the Internet and using a freeware word processor without any extra configuration. This is a great simple install package for anyone interested in trying out Linux.

User reviews of Wubi

• Average user rating: out of 90 votes
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  Wubi

  good

  by: saleh_duwahi on 16-Jul-2008 07:34:01 AM

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  Wubi

  It is wonderful

  by: Bob Mersilio on 24-Jul-2008 05:07:55 AM

  Pros: it's the first time I've installed Ubuntu so easy, no drivers at all, no problems

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  Wubi

  good way to play with linux

  by: weslambert on 18-Jul-2008 06:49:04 PM

  Pros: lets you try out a linux OS with a minimum of fuss

  Cons: installing Java is tedious

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  Wubi

  It delivers a functional ubuntu 8.04 but it is not without quirks.

  by: Jngoi on 16-Jul-2008 07:15:40 AM

  Pros: The ease of installation, it is as promised minimal user participation. No fuss installation and as I have tried, a 12 second uninstall Wubi+Ubuntu. It is a working Ubuntu install as promised.

  Cons: It takes a loooooooooong time to download, they said take a cup of coffee while waiting, I had a long nap. he he he. It is not as stable as a full blown install. There are things about Wubi that you should know first (go to their site) like hard reboots, that could damage the boot files and stuff. When I finished my install, no wi-fi nor cam. Support's great by the way, so you end up having to do some tweaking if you want to really try out Ubuntu. It delivers a functioning OS and stuff but leaves a bit of sour taste with the softwares that are missing ( mine had no Compiz, Hardware Managers, etc.) and when you start to look for ways to install it, then you encounter the horrors of Terminal installs. It does however deliver what it promises, an easy way to install a working but not fully functioning Ubuntu 8.04, at least that's what I tried to install.

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  Wubi

  Easy to install linux with this application

  by: hotdog123 on 16-Jul-2008 11:58:13 AM

  Pros: It takes a bit of getting use to, however once the basics have been accomplished, eg: installing proper flashplayer from the add/remove application, things begin to fall into place. It is a reliable system and does not crash, at least not yet. Has a great music player called "Amarok" which is in the add/remove applications. By the way the flashplayer that I finally got from the applications is called "Gstreamer". Installed four of these applications. The browser I am using, instead of firefox, is Opera, which I used in Windows. It seems to work better for playing video in this system

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