Linux on Laptop: Installation

Over the years (more than I wish to count), I have used Linux on different laptops/desktops. My earliest recollection is playing with the Redhat distro in 1998 - when it was distributed with a PC magazine in India.

The oldest document (capturing steps to install and get Linux working), I have is from 2004 for running Debian (Woody R3) on an IBM T-42.

No, these pages will not capture all that history; though it wasn't easy then (wonder - is it easy today....hmmm). It did involve compiling kernel with IBM specific ACPI, creating device nodes for USB mouse and of couse, editing the XF86Config-4 for GUI!!

Subsequent sections document the challenges and solutions in installing Linux (a few selected variants) on different laptops.

Focus is mostly Fedora 20; running on:

• ASUS UX301 (facny eh!) - this is my primary workbook now.
• Acer E1-572 - bought it for the youngling ... to start with 'scratch' (and a bit of Secret Maryo Chronicles)

I have used Ubuntu until 11.10 - but then a whole set of decisions on their part put me off - starting with amazon lens, the zeitgeist and then moving towards Mir. Have put some of my notes online for Ubuntu as well - but the utility of these will decrease over time.

Whilst on the topic of Ubuntu, I must admit, I do prefer upstart to systemd - simply because even systemd doesn't know where it wants to go (don't be surprised with the kitchen sink in it). Shame - with Ubuntu switching to systemd - upstart is out of all major distros.

As for systemd - we'll all learn to live with it as we do with emacs (oopss...is this a flame bait); but it does remain a bad decision to make it all encompassing system in user-space.