Microsoft Must Really Be Getting Worried About Linux

With the story coming out this week, about how Microsoft is claiming patent infringements against open-source software programs such as Linux and Open Office by Sun Microsystems, Inc. I happen to discover a new Linux called Ubuntu through one of the news articles online. More about Microsoft later.

A couple of years ago, I had an extra computer lying around that I decided to make it dual boot between Windows 2000 and Red Hat Linux. The install with Red Hat was through several install CDs, along with a documentation CD, and three source code CDs. It was somewhat of a time consuming job. Then, trying to get the Red Hat Updates to function was even more troublesome, (never did figure it out.)

When I came upon the Ubuntu Linux OS, I thought I would give this a try, especially after I read about some of the easy to use features associated with Ubuntu Linux such as a good graphical interface and numerous free software associated with it.

With Ubuntu Desktop Edition you can surf the web, read email, create documents and spreadsheets, edit images and much more. Ubuntu has a fast and easy graphical installer right on the Desktop CD. On a typical computer the installation should take you less than 25 minutes.

There are two main versions of the software. There is a desktop version and a server version of the software. The website is very informative about how to download, burn a CD image, verify the integrity of the CD, and finally installing of the software on a computer. In addition to being able to download the software from numerous websites from around the globe, you can request several free CDs, or buy them from one of their world-wide distributors. The download is relatively small in size for an OS, and actually fits on one CD. With high-speed Internet, it did not take very long to download. However, if you are on a dial-up, or have a slow connection, it might be good to order the free disk.

Once the software was downloaded and a CD was burnt, installation went very smoothly and incredibly fast. There were a number of immediate updates that the software recommended, which was automatically performed with a click of the mouse. Automatic updates are what we have all gotten used to with all the Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X software operating systems. But until seeing the ease at which Ubuntu performed the update function, which had been nonexistent or difficult with other Linux systems, has made Ubuntu Linux a really good alternative to Microsoft Windows OS. Once the OS software was installed, it was a simple matter to download, and load programs from a list of hundreds if not thousands of other open-source programs and applications online.

By-the-way, I now have a triple-boot system. One that has Windows 2000, Red Hat Linux, and now, Ubuntu Linux system.

Take a look at the minimum computer hardware installation requirements. Note: For older computers with even less memory or hard drive space and with slower processors, Xubuntu is a steam-lined version of Ubuntu. Xubuntu is also available for free. Both Xubuntu and Ubuntu come with lots of pre-loaded software including office applications and Web browsing software. Download Xubuntu here.

For something that is free and easy to use, I would say it is well worth the small amount of time to load Linux Ubuntu or Xubuntu OS on that spare older computer. You might be surprised what you can do with it. As always, have fun.

Jim the online marketer.