Linux Laptop 2008-2012 re-release feedback request

This guide was originally published on 8/13/17. I had to make it private on 9/5/17 because it had more problems then I anticipated at the time. I knew it was incomplete, but I thought it was almost done and the remaining issues were minor and released it anyway. It just became clear that I released too early and there were more issues then I thought.

Links:

The major things that changed from the original release are:

  • I have reduced the automatic edit accept threshold from 30k to 20k. This is a risky move, but I'm willing to try it. I still set it high since I want to make sure edits go to Patrol, but I also want to make editing somewhat accessible. If something happens once I'm going to go back to 30k and it's staying there.
  • Rather then releasing it ~96% complete like before I opted to go for 100% complete. However, there may still be underlying issues or inefficiencies I can fix.
  • I had to compromise on what I wanted to put into certain steps. ~9 lines in the guide are in this group. This simply means I couldn't get it to what I exactly wanted but I was able to come very close to the final version I wanted.
  • The Integrated video step has G (APU) and M (Mobile) references for AMD Radeon chips. I don't know where to place these non APU parts, so I did this as a half step until I know more and can make the final call.
  • (10/15/17) While I still discourage using a DVD for installation (if USB is an option), I have said that it's an option for systems with buggy USB booting. With that being said I made it very clear that those systems are rare and doesn't apply to most people. My thoughts on optical media in general stand.
  • I have worded the steps to disable Secure Boot to be more of a how to step rather then general instructions. The caveat is it only covers reference UI AMI BIOSes.
  • The format used for the Secure Boot step has also been applied to the Optimus steps (Dell and Lenovo Business).
  • (10/20/17) I have not removed the entry for Ubuntu (Unity) yet. With that being said it's going to be removed soon. 17.10 is out and uses GNOME instead of Unity, but I am waiting on 18.04 LTS to remove it. Unity is still default in 16.04 LTS. I am beginning to sunset the entry, but it's still going to stay until 18.04 LTS releases. As such, this will be a slow sunset for the Ubuntu non-recommendation.
  • (10/20/17) I no longer list the single layer DVD capacity in the intro. It is still supported, but my continued support comes with one major warning: This is the last guide I am willing to green light DVD installation for any reason. This isn't in the guide since it will be out of place, but anyone who sees Meta knows in advance.
  • While the Chipset step is still depreciated it has been cleaned up. With that being said, it will remain depreciated. The updates I did are the last updates it will ever get. The reason? Laptops that integrate the northbridge into the processor are common and cheap.
  • (10/19/17) I thought about removing the Seagate warning but I think it's here to stay. I have a ST500LM000 in my E6540 and it's starting to have problems with 8,456 hours on the clock as I write this. Unbelievable.
  • (10/22/17-10/23/17) General refinement
  • (10/23/17) Removed the 8 lines note from the Intel and AMD (Processor) steps. Replaced with DDR2 warning and DDR2 advisory, respectively.

So that's basically what release 2.0 brings that wasn't in the first release. I think the problem wasn't the release. It seems like the more likely scenario is I released it with too many problems I didn't notice right away, even though I knew it wouldn't be complete when it was made public in advance. I should know better, but I did it because the rewrite took 2 years. Even though the original release was a mess, it would be better then nothing.

If there is any more work I need to do past this point, let me know. I shouldn't have to pull it back this time, since most of the issues are ironed out to the extent I can keep it public. The majority of edits I need to make can be made on the fly.

Update (10/26/17)

Judging from the lack of responses on this post (and lack of use for the guide) I do not think I will release a dedicated desktop guide in the 2008-2012 series. Desktops tend to be more difficult to find, so the effort required to find hardware does not seem like it is worth it.

I might change my mind and I know where modifications are going to be required, so it can be done. However, I want to make sure it's worth doing.

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2 Comments:

@nick this may not be the right place for your Linux guide. Why not try a Linux forum?

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I think what may have been more likely is I had to delay it multiple times due to some early problems, which is why it took so long to get done. With that being said, I probably also picked the wrong group to look at it.

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