May 06, 2020

Install Ubuntu 20.04 LTS - Focal Fossa (English)¶

New Ubuntu LTS, Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa was released on 23rd Apr. 2020. I am trying to use it now.

Desktop and Server¶

There are 2 types of Ubuntu, i.e. Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server. In short, Ubuntu Server is for business server usage. (Possibly it is difficult to use the server unless you are not a professional Linux engineer.)

I didn't check them in details, however, I think the differences are as follows.

The number of default software packages¶

There are more software packages in the desktop compared to the server after install.

For example, the desktop installer installs desktop environment as the name indicates.

The server installer does not. After the server is installed, users see only some white characters on a black background. Neither icon nor wallpaper.

The user can install additional software later if necessary. It is for business usage. The user will be able to do it.

Tuning parameters¶

Canonical (the Ubuntu distributor) recommends 2 CPU cores and 4 GB RAM for desktop. The parameters will be tuned for such a computer.

On the other hand, I think the server parameters are fit for less computer resources. Because the worst case is that OS fails to boot because of the resource shortage. (Once boot, it is not difficult to tune for the users.)

Settings and Impressions¶

You can download the installer disk image from here.

I selected the desktop this time.

The desktop environment is GNOME. I have not been using GNOME for a long time, but it is not bad while I had some trouble with some shortcut keys.

fcitx package¶

It seems that I have 3 package choices to enter Japanese character, i.e. uim, ibus, and fcitx (I am a Japanese.) You can still use scim, however, mozc is not compatible (mozc is a Google Japanese IME.) I chose fcitx this time.

"Ctrl-space" is set to toggle the input method by default. I altered it because emacs uses the keybind as well.

Alt + F1 shortcut key¶

"Alt + F1" works as a program launcher and switching the active window. It is very useful.

To switch the active window, "Alt + TAB" is famous, however, my Ubuntu works on VirtualBox on Windows10. In such case, sometimes "Alt + TAB" switches the active window on host OS, and sometimes on guest OS.

On the other hand, "Alt + F1" key always switches window on Ubuntu on VirtualBox.

Bug¶

I have already found a bug and send the report.

Package "python3-venv" should provide command "pyvenv", however, it is a broken symbolic link to "pyvenv-3.8".

It is recommended to use "python -m venv" instead of pyvenv since python3.5, so I don't think it is very serious, owever, ansible cannot use the better one so far. ("Ansible" is an automation setup tool.)

I created the following script and specify it in ansible playbook to help the problem.

#!/bin/sh

/usr/bin/python3 -m venv $@

Conclusion¶

I think Ubuntu 20.04 is good. I have not faced any serious problem so far even it is very new.

Probably I will use the server shortly on work.