Installing Ubuntu 10.4 on HP Pavilion tx2000

Ubuntu 10.4 on HP Pavilion tx2000: Monitor 1

Ubuntu 10.4 on HP Pavilion tx2000: Monitor2

In a previous post, I described how easy it was to install Windows 7 on my HP Pavilion tx2000.  It worked almost perfectly out of the box.

Though, I am beginning to like Windows again thanks to Windows 7, I installed Ubuntu because I do Linux programming.

Wireless, tablet screen, and multiple monitors worked without having to hack anything.  Ubuntu supports them.

Things that don't work:

• HP Quick Launch Buttons around the screen border
• DVD, QuickPlay, Settings, and Rotation
• Mute button doesn't turn red when muted but the volume buttons do work.

As you have read, the list of things that didn't work using the standard Ubuntu 10.4 desktop installation were very few.  They are also identical to things to didn't work after installing Windows 7.  HP drivers are needed.  I don't think that I will bother for now.

I must also say that the start up and shutdown times are amazing! The picture above demonstrates my Ubuntu desktop.  I, of course, applied a dark theme to the controls and the window borders.  It looks and feels great.  I hope that this helps somebody trying do the same thing or something similar.

Installing the MySQL RubyGem on Ubuntu

I have successfully installed the MySQL driver for Ruby on Windows and Mac OS X but I had not installed it on Ubuntu until today.

I am assuming that you have already installed the MySQL server.  I am using MySQL 5.1.
$ sudo apt-get install mysql-server

Install the MySQL database client library.  I am not certain of this but I believe that the number '15' in 'libmysqlclient15-dev' indicates the version.  This is apparently the most current one and the default version on Ubuntu 10.4 as of today.
$ sudo apt-get install libmysqlclient15-dev

Install RubyGems if you have not done so already.  I am using Ruby 1.9.1.
 $ sudo apt-get install rubygems1.9

If everything was successfuly, then you should be able to use the mysql RubyGem in  your Ruby scripts.