Ubuntu vs Debian

Ubuntu is derived form Debian. But Ubuntu project is moving faster than Debian. Most of the packages get updated and tested with Ubuntu and then they are backported to Debian. Most of the packages which reach Debian test are now, being tested with Ubuntu and if they are working then it is ready for Ubuntu, but it may not be ready for Debian yet because it has to pass thru its quality engineering. The momentum of keeping up-to-date by Ubuntu is very attractive to users. In this way, Ubuntu will be a testing before it is added to debian.!

Review of Genius WizardPen 5x4 Tablet

Genius WizardPen 5x4 Tablet is from a same manufacturer who produces the Genius mouse. The table is 5.5" x 4" tablet with Cordless Pen Device. There is also another model which comes with mouse which is called MousePen. But I preferred to stay with the Pen only tablet.

Features which make me choose:

• Upto 4064LPI high resoultion which is good for for graphic artists

• 5.5"x4" working area. I feel this is nice size. If it is bigger then you have to move you hand more. If the size is less, it will be quicker move which make it difficult to change images. If you have a smaller size, you may magnify your image and work on it. I have a 17" inch monitor, I see that the image pixel detail level I see can be changed nicely with this resolution+size combination of the tablet

• Linux driver support is there. But it is not clearly mentioned in their main website. You have to search and find. The main site discuss about non-table drivers for Linux. However, http://www.genius-europe.com/service/faq/tuxtablet.htm provides tablet driver related info.

• This tablet model received Symbol of Excellence award 2002, whatever that means. May be, the award is given for its cell program feature in the tablet. I thought it is ok.

• I preferred battery less pen, but I guess, you can get that only with Wacom. The pen comes with battery preloaded. Anyway, I settled for battery powered cordless tablet pen.

Installation went smooth. I just connected the Tablet's usb connector cable into the usb port. It is recoginzed as a mouse. I already have a mouse. But both can move the same cursor. Then, In inserted the driver CDROM and installed only the driver. So, that I can configure the tablet, and also get the pressure senstive artistic feature. I didn't install other Pen-software and Corel Painter trail version. Then I loaded the GIMP 2.3.5 Development release, and open a blank image to test. the Pressure stroke feature is working FINE. Based on how much you apply pressure to the tip of the tablet pen, the stroke was lighter or darker.