I've been thinking about trying some Linux on some of the home computers. In fact I've downloaded a number of linux distros and burned a number of live cd's to try them out.

I've also ordered and received a number of Ubuntu discs to try on the computers.

On the whole I've been impressed with Linux and have been dying to find a computer and turn it into a linux machine.

Finally the opportunity has arisen. Katrina when she went off to university inherited the family computer, a 1 gig machine which has served the family well. However she had a few problems with it and asked if I could do something about it. I tried to re-install windows, but I didn't have the right disc. So I told her I'd take it home and work on it. So, I had a computer, and a few Ubuntu discs. I couldn't resist and so I installed the Ubuntu 5.10 version. It turned out to work very well on the machine. I was able to surf the Internet, write a few documents and generally play around with the various software programs.

Then a few days ago I decided to install one of the later programs, 6.06, also called Dapper Drake. Let me say installation was a snap. By simply following the steps and answering a few questions, I was able to format the hard drive and install. It took approximately 30 minutes to do the full installation. Since then I've installed other software and it has been a snap. I will admit it is different from Windows but I'm making my way around it. At first one of the challenges was playing MP3 files. Since Ubuntu is open sources the developers kept strictly to all open source software and files, and mp3 is apparently now a propriatary software. However the problem was solved by downloading EasyUbuntu. This program claims:"EasyUbuntu is an easy to use (duh!) script that gives the Ubuntu user the most commonly requested apps, codecs, and tweaks that are not found in the base distribution - all with a few clicks of your mouse." It truly is that easy.

I don't know if she will want to use Ubuntu or go back to Windows XP, that is her decision, but for right now, I'm using Ubuntu.

Give it a try, you just might like Linux.