Hi All.

Does anyone know about Ubuntu, a free open source Linux based operating system?

Someone told me they are happliy using it and it is similar to Windows XP?? Includes a word processor, spreadsheet, and several other applications.

Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

Thanks

Linux comes in many flavors. Ubuntu is an attempt at a straightforward install like Windows does, a configuration where most of the stuff is thought out.

The price is right, too. If you're interested in learning stuff like this, the site you linked is rife with help. You should have fun.

Yes, there are free office programs, just like there are free office programs for Windows, programs that read and write MSOffice formats, too.

Thanks JB. Sounds interesting...

Do major homework with the partitioning setup. Esp if you are trying to dual boot with windows. Tricky.

Everything said is right on!

Dual boot is over my head I'm afraid...

Ubuntu is nice, easy to use and you can make (almost) everything you would do in windows

You can either download, or buy a dvd or request a free CD

I've been using Ubuntu for several years now, it's almost bomb-proof, but some things may need a bit of setting up like making DVDs play or getting Flash animations to work. Otherwise, it absolutely rocks, for something that costs nothing. I use it heavily for sound production, and increasingly for video production.

Just Googling for help or using the Ubuntu forums has given me practically all the info I ever needed to break through most problems. There's a massive community and knowledge base out there to call upon if things get tough.

Straight out of the box, it can do just about everything you'd expect from an average home or office operating system. It comes with OpenOffice, which can do all the major tasks that Microsoft Office ever could. (I'm not anti Microsoft, I just prefer free software, especially now that it's reached industrial strength).

Give it a go...

Regards,
RM

Thanks Moose...

Sounds great!