Canonical is all set to launch Ubuntu 18.04 LTS (Long Term Support) in April this year and the Ubuntu fans like me can't wait anymore. I went ahead and tried a daily build in virtual box and it seems quite stable already.
The GNOME desktop environment did not disappoint me, and the installation steps are same as any other Ubuntu release. There's a new Ubuntu theme and Canonical is finally moving to Xorg as default display server in Ubuntu 18.04.
If you are new to Ubuntu and want to install Ubuntu 18.04 in a virtual box, you can find below a step-by-step tutorial. Remember that its a daily build and is still in alpha-release phase; expect some bugs and glitches.
Setting up Virtual Box [pre-installation task]
If you have not installed VirtualBox, download a copy from here and install it. Once done, launch it and click on New. A dialogue box appears asking for the Name and Type of Operating System. Enter a name, select Type as Linux and Version as Ubuntu (64-bit).
The next screen asks for the RAM you want to assign to the Virtual Machine. The recommended size is 1024mb but I would suggest using at least 2 GB of RAM for a better experience.
Next step asks for the storage you want to allocate to Ubuntu 18.04. Make sure to allocate sufficient space for the updates and applications to not run out of storage at a later part.
Click on Create to navigate to next screen. It asks for the hard disk file type. You can leave it to the default choice - VirtualBox Disk Image which will create a image file with the size you specified in the previous step.
In the next screen, you can select if you want your physical device to be dynamically allocated or a fixed size. A dynamically allocated hard disk only takes up the space your Ubuntu OS is taking, from your primary storage. A fixed size means you assign that particular memory size to the guest OS and can not use outside to it. However a fixed size disk type is faster to use.
Next step will ask the amount of storage you want to assign to Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.
Once done, click on Create to finish up the set up.
Installing Ubuntu 18.04 LTS in Virtual Box
Once the Virtual Machine set up is done, Start it. It will ask you to select the start-up disk. Click on the folder icon and select the ISO file you have downloaded from the Ubuntu's website.
It will take some time to boot from the ISO. Once it boots, it will ask either to Try Ubuntu or Install it. Select your preferred language from the left sidebar and click on Install Ubuntu.
Next step asks whether you want to download update and install third party software for graphics and other media codecs. I would suggest to check both the options to get the latest of Ubuntu 18.04 and to save yourself from the pain of downloading and installing each drivers and codecs by yourself.
Next option is the Installation type. Since you are using a virtual disk for installing Ubuntu 18.04 LTS in a virtual box there won't be any another operating system detected. Erase disk and install Ubuntu will be selected by default. You can select to encrypt your new Ubuntu installation drive and/or use a logical volume management.
Once you select the options and click on Install Now it, the installer will display a warning. You can ignore it and click Continue.
The next screen asks your geographical location.
And the keyboard layout which you want to use.
Before you start with the installation, you will have to create a user and password protect it. Fill all the details and click on Continue.
Ubuntu 18.04 installation will begin. It will take some time depending upon the updates and your broadband speed. Wait for it finish.
Once the installation for Ubuntu 18.04 completes, restart your system and you will see Ubuntu booting.
Ubuntu 18.04 LTS has a new Login interface that looks kinda cool. You are all set to login and use!
This is the home screen.
If you are not aware, Canonical has ditched Unity and has switched to GNOME for Ubuntu 18.04. However the launcher is continued and there are different settings for the launcher which can be changed.
My Reaction to Ubuntu 18.04
Ubuntu 18.04 is set to release in April and this is a daily build, which is yet not ready for production. However the experience is smooth - though its eating up my RAM. I had always been a Unity fan but GNOME is not disappointing me. Good to see the launcher in it's place and the customization options integrated in the Settings, for changing icon size moving it either top / bottom / right / left.
Can't wait anymore for the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS. :)
Did you try the daily build? What's your reaction, tell us in the comments.
0 comments:
Post a Comment