Ubuntu 6.06 LTS DVD (PC Edition) (Jewel Case)

I have used both the PC Edition (i386) and the 64-bit version, and I was very impressed that Linux has come this far. I realize that Linux is not a replacement for Windows, but rather, an alternative to Windows. In this capacity, it truly fits the bill. Of all the Linux flavors I have tried over the years, Red Hat, Fedora Core, SuSE, and Knoppix, Ubuntu (Kubuntu & Xubuntu) seems to be the most ready for primetime. With one minor quirk, everything worked for me right out-of-the-box. I was online, that day, looking for open source programs to use with Ubuntu. It was while doing this that I discovered the Ubuntu Community. Of all the forums I have been in while testing the Linux "distros", this was the most helpful and prompt. Someone is always willing to help you find something or give advice on how to set up proprietary hardware. The Community sold me completely on Ubuntu. And, you know what? All the above is *FREE* for the download. FYI (For Your Information), there is also an educator's edition called Edubuntu available. Thanks, Ubuntu for making my day....

If you are interested in an alternative operating system you should try Ubuntu.

I was sick and tired of my Windows XP hanging and crashing and the need of having a firewall and a virus scanner for it, so I tried Ubuntu and I was stunned.

The core system is actually less than 500 MB big and can be started from the CD (or DVD). This way you can explore the system without installing it. I am using a Thinkpad Z60 and when I started from the Live CD I could use ALL features right away. Ubuntu is fully compatible to the wireless card, the complete keyboard, the SD card reader etc. You can install the system from the Live CD (DVD), restart and you are good to go.

Once installed you can copy DVD's just by simply right clicking the DVD icon and you can install new applications from within the Ubuntu with one click. System updates are downloaded in installed within minutes. The design of Ubuntu is stunning by the way. I doubt that even the upcoming Windows Vista can beat it.

The only thing I have problems with is the implementation of so called "commercial file formats" such as MP3 and mov. To be honest, I can be complicated if you are not used to Linux, but the Ubuntu community is friendly and helpful.

I can highly recommend this operation system, it's not only a lot cheaper it's also much faster and secure than Windows will ever be. Go for it!

I'm a big believer in Ubuntu after tolerating one too many Microsoft updates and never ending add-ons.

When my laptop OS needed a rebuild, I didn't want to suffer through whatever Vista promises (not much), then buy a bunch more virus, firewall and spyware updates, and still run the risk of betting it all on the next Windows ME. Niether did I want to pay through the nose for an Apple, one that, in all likelihood, six months later wouldn't be "cool" anymore and would have few replaceable or upgradable parts. Apple takes planned obsolescence to a whole new level and laughs at you while they do it - no thanks. Been there done that. Ubuntu let me have the best of both worlds - keep a laptop I already have and like, plus gain an operating system with no built-in PMS.

As with other Linux based systems, there is a learing curve, though not nearly what it used to be. You don't have to be a programmer to use it, and you can probably wipe the hard drive clean on your current computer, install this system and be up and running in less than a day. There are hundreds of linux-based versions of whatever you currently use with your Microsoft machine, whether it's DVD ripping, bittorrent streaming, office software, scanner software, you name it. With a search engine and several online forums, you can get your questions answered along the way very easily.

I installed Ubuntu on my HP laptop and everything works just fine, except for a small LED indicating when my wireless is turned on (the wireless itself works flawlessy). I started with version 5.10, then upgraded to 6.06 this past fall. There is an even beta version out now (6.10), but I'm sticking with 6.06 for now.

When you install this operating system from the disc (I burned one that installed just fine), you not only get the OS, but much of the software I mentioned before, including OpenOffice, a free substitute for Microsoft Office. OpenOffice is impressive, especially for free. I must admit thoguh, MS Office is better - but only just barely. Evolution comes with a calendar, but it is not nearly as developed as the one in Outlook. The formatting in MS Word is also much more adjustable than that of Open Office. Open Office can save documents in MS Word format. I've been able to us an MS machine using XP to open these documents created with Open Office - provided they were saved properly.

Occasionally there are peripherals which will not work without adapting the Windows driver to work with Ubuntu (use a program called nsdiswrapper - I've never done this). One potential problem with desktop systems will probably be video drivers. Ubuntu will probably work with just about any monitor, but the driver is probably a very general, one size fits all version, as I noticed problems with scrolling on my desktop with Ubuntu, which runs 6.10.

As I understand it, most video drivers are proprietary, so people who write Unbuntu and other Linux versions are essentially guessing at what works best when they create a driver. The end result is that the driver(s) available will work, but may prove frustrating. This is one major setback with Ubuntu. The system is so close to being a perfect replacement for Microsoft (and, dare I say it, Apple), that it's only a matter of time.

The only other possible negative is gaming - if you like to play PC games, there are a few available on Ubuntu, but nothing like the selection for Windows. I'm not sure how easy it is to adapt a PC game to work on Ubuntu, or if it's even possible at all. I know there is (free) software available to play Playstation and Nintendo games, however.

If you want to give this system a try on an old desktop or laptop, go for it and have fun. One thing to remember, though - this OS is available FREE! I don't know why you're here looking to buy something you can get from Ubuntu for nothing - zero - nada! Ask them for five copies and give a few to your friends!

My Windows XP Pro was alternately crashing and freezing, so I decided to experiment with Ubuntu. So far it has not failed me. No crashes, stalls, freezings, zip. solid like a Russian boat anchor.

I enjoy having my own unique, free o/s, and even the pre-loaded software has impressed me. I thought I would be up a creek without Adobe Photoshop, or my Kodak Easyshare software, or other little Windows doodads. But you know what, I'm able to download and edit pics faster than before, with Gimp and Ubuntu's download manager.

Some programs were difficult to install, like Java. But I'm a noob. So, just put in a few hours figuring out how to set the rigging and hoist the mainsail. There's also plenty of people who can help out if you get stuck.