Ubuntu

What is so great about this? Should I get it?

Ubuntu is an Operating System that's catered primarily toward desktop users
(as opposed to server, embedded systems, or special use cases)

Ubuntu targets the same user group as Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh

Specifically, Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux

What is Linux?
Well, without going on for pages and pages (I'll leave that to wikipedia)
Think of Linux as the "chassis" and "drive chain" on which many different operating system "cars" are built
These different Linux "cars" are called distributions

(Same basic "nuts & bolts" mechanics, but put together in different ways to suit different groups of people)

Ubuntu is a car for desktop users
RedHat Linux, for example, is a car designed for enterprise server use

But both use the same underlying mechanics - Linux

What is great about Ubuntu, is a matter of personal preference and is largely subjective - different people will have different opinions on what makes it (or any other OS, for that matter) great (or crap)

Take a look around the Ubuntu site
http://www.ubuntu.com
and if you have any queries, post back here

Thanks for the info! I heard someone say that you can customise the looks of it...?

I prefer Knoppix myself. :goodjob2:

you can customise pretty much everything on a distribution of Linux

from the cosmetic look and feel of the user interface (colour and shape of the body panels), all the way down to the nitty gritty parts of gear ratios and fuel injection timings

but don't be scared off
It can be as simple (spray it a different colour)
or as complex (install a nitrous kit and big arse spoiler)
as you like

xXSomeGuyXx -- this is what ubuntu can look like:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bvnQE1EAEZY

Thanks guys for the info.

That looks awesome! How much quicker is it than using Vista?

It's fast. My laptop has it installed and it can do most of that stuff, whereas it can't even run Aero in Vista.

o0o0o0o

So if I installed it on my PC, to duel boot - could I remove it easilly if I needed to?

Yes,
but you'll need the windows CD to reinstate the original windows boot loader

Yeah I have that somewhere as upgraded to Vista from an original disk :)

Might havee to give this a try then sometime - when I am feeling brave lol

I did a screenshot tutorial a lttle while ago, for dual booting with Windows

http://www.dreamviews.com/community/...74&postcount=4

You don't even need to dual boot.

never used Wubi
(and I don't like recommending something if I have no experience with it)

what's the performance like with a virtual hard disk?

I've never used it either, and I know nothing about it other than its purpose.

From what I've heard, runs slower and such. I know it has a bunch more disadvantages, but I don't know them off the top of my head.

I am sure Wubi does perform slower than native speed and it might very well underperform a virtual machine, but it sounds like a convenient option for a possible Windows convert to test Ubuntu before committing. Another option would be to download free virtualization software like VirtualBox or QEMU with the kqemu accelerator module.

Or just mount the iso to a CD and put it in your computer. You don't have to install nor uninstall anything and you can test it just the same. The LiveCD, that is.

yeah, just hit f5[fairly sure..] when the boot up screen comes and choose Ubuntu Linux. It's only 698 MB, you can even use a CD to burn it onto.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grod

yeah, just hit f5[fairly sure..] when the boot up screen comes and choose Ubuntu Linux. It's only 698 MB, you can even use a CD to burn it onto.

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Grod,
I'm surprised

have you switched sides?
or just feeling ill? :P

somethings fishy, that's for sure.

So, if i put ubuntu on, will it delete all my internet settings? And, programs that require windows, do they work on Ubuntu? (never got a chance to read everything)

Linux won't touch your windows install at all
(well, apart from the option to resize the partition it's on)
but it certainly won't "delete" anything on your windows install

By and large, windows programs will not work on Linux
there are ways, but for now, assume not.
What programs do you have in mind?

Wordpad, photofiltre, etc.

What, do you mean Dual-Booting?