你能夠在任意的舊的，或者新的計算機上使用一份可靠的，自由的操作系統麼？這些操作系統能夠附帶足夠的自由軟件麼？這些操作系統能夠通過一張Live CD來體驗一下麼？這種操作系統能夠和windows或者Mac操作系統共存於一個硬盤中麼？
在Linux社區中存在著非常多的Linux發行版，每個發行版都是依照開源軟件的標准制作的，他們的背後站著不同的用戶，他們面對的用戶和市場也不同，比如企業、教育和商用。
平台選擇
易於安裝、性能穩定的Ubuntu 發行版很快成為Linux平台的選擇，因為你可以在任意平台上運行Ubuntu Linux的Live CD，然和可以將數據存儲於USB設備中，以便達到快速處理的目的。這種處理方式給移動計算以新的定義。
自從使用DOS和早期的Windows系統以來，我已經很久沒有純粹的由計算機帶來的樂趣了，但是自打我從幾年前開始使用Linux操作系統的時候，我有找回了這種感覺。但是這些Linux發行版對新手的要求比較高，學習的曲線相對較陡，不容易上手，但是Ubuntu出現了，他改變了這一切。一路next安裝好Ubuntu Linux後，你就可以開始上網、寫東西，可以使用圖形或者音頻程序。
自打Ubuntu Linux 6.06以後，Ubuntu Linux 就已經成為Windows的很好替代品。
因為Linux采用用戶安全認證和嚴格的安全規則，這樣使得沒有得到授權的軟件無機可乘，所以一般來說，Linux平台的反病毒軟件和反垃圾軟件市場空間有限。Ubuntu 在南非當地的土語中的意思是對人類慈愛，該發行版已經運作了5年，通過論壇對用戶提供支持，每隔6個月發布一個新的發行版。
目前他已經支持Intel x86, AMD 64-bit, Power PC (Apple iBook, Powerbook, G4 和 G5) 和 OpenPower (Power5)等架構，日前也開始支持SUN公司的UltraSPARC和T1架構。
目前該發行版沒有用戶限制，而且不需要購買費用，該公司目前的後台支持是位於英國的Canonical公司。在今年的德國科隆的LinuxWorld大會上，Ubuntu Linux被授予對用戶最友好的發行版，Canonical公司也因為在商業和社區間的合作或者了贊譽。
Having been raised on DOS and the early generations of Windows, I rediscovered that sense of excitement in a pure computing experience when I first tried other Linux versions over the years. However, they required a steep learning curve and caused too much frustration with setup and obscure command-line options. Not so with Ubuntu Linux.
Can you use a reliable, free operating system that can run on new or older computers? How about an operating system that comes packed with hundreds of software programs? Do you want to try out a fully functional OS that runs in a live CD session and can coexist with Windows or Mac operating systems on a dual-boot hard drive installation?
The Linux operating system exists in dozens of individually tailored versions known as "distributions." Each one is based on open source Latest News about open source standards and is the product of a sponsoring community of developers who target a specific type of user -- enterprise, educational or commercial.
Platform of Choice
The stable and easy to install Ubuntu distribution is fast becoming the Linux platform of choice. You can run Linux on any computer using Ubuntu's Live CD feature, and save your files and settings to a USB flash drive for instant access -- giving a new meaning to "portable computing."
Having been raised on DOS and the early generations of Windows, I rediscovered that sense of excitement in a pure computing experience when I first tried other Linux versions over the years. However, they required a steep learning curve and caused too much frustration with setup and obscure command-line options.
Not so with Ubuntu Linux. Within minutes of installing it, I was surfing the Web, writing, and working with graphics and audio programs.
The developers of Ubuntu version 6.06 have created an easy-to-use alternative to Windows.
As Linux requires password access and employs a rigid set of rules to safeguard against unauthorized installations, it does not need anti-spyware or antivirus programs. On all counts, Ubuntu Linux is an ideal replacement OS for home and small business Free How-To Guide for Small Business Web Strategies - from domain name selection to site promotion. computing.
What Is It?
Ubuntu, which is an ancient African word meaning "humanity to others," comes with both five-year forum and commercial support via user forums. Developers issue new releases every six months and provide automatic, secure updates.
It supports Intel x86, AMD 64-bit, and Power PC (Apple iBook, Powerbook, G4 and G5) and OpenPower (Power5) architectures. It also supports Sun UltraSPARC and T1 (Sun Fire T1000 and T2000) architectures.
The operating system has no user restrictions and does not require a subscription. It is sponsored commercially by Canonical, which is headquartered in the UK.
At the Linux New Media Awards presented during November's LinuxWorld Expo in Cologne, Germany, Ubuntu was cited as being the most user-friendly Linux distribution, and Canonical was named as providing the best combination of community and commerce.
What It Has
All Linux distributions come bundled with free programs called "packages." These are not shareware products or dumbed-down versions of standard offerings, and they do not require registration as is typical for Windows programs.
Linux packages are fully functional applications created and updated regularly by Linux community developers. The standard Ubuntu installation contains literally dozens of programs in a variety of categories, including accessories, games, graphics, Internet, sound and video, programming and system tools. You view all of the program listings, called "catalogs," through the Add/Remove module in the drop-down Applications menu.
Compatibility Plus
The Ubuntu distribution includes the OpenOffice 2.0 office suite for word processing, spreadsheets and business presentations. I had no trouble exchanging my Windows XP-based Microsoft Office documents with those created in OpenOffice. Similarly, I worked seamlessly with graphics files swapped between Linux's Gimp image editor and several Windows-based editing programs.
Ubuntu also includes a presentation software package called "Impress" and a database program called "Base." Import and export filters made swapping files painless; it was easy to create and read Acrobat (PDF) files using the Linux PDF program.
Mozilla's Latest News about Mozilla Foundation Firefox Web browser is my standard Windows-based surfing tool. The Linux version is a mirror image in both features and functionality, but several other Linux choices are available.
I am still partial to Microsoft Outlook as my e-mail Get the Facts on BlackBerry Business Solutions client, which syncs with my PDA. However, Linux's information-management tool, Evolution, duplicates those tasks easily and can connect to an Exchange or other mail server.
Quick to Install
The Ubuntu operating system can be downloaded as a disc image (or ISO) file, meaning that you have to burn it to a CD or DVD blank as an image transfer. Users can fill out a mail order form online to receive the Ubuntu CD in the mail.
While it is common for newcomers to Windows XP or the Mac OS to be dazed by installing and using the software's basic features, installing Ubuntu was a snap -- the process took less than 20 minutes and did not require any system reboots. It is an ideal Linux distribution for the Linux newbie.
I was a DOS command-line fanatic in the days before the advent of Windows. A few tasks in Linux require entering similar command-line instructions. Though much of Linux is hidden behind the desktop interface, sometimes I open a terminal window on the Linux desktop to copy and paste in order to complete a task.
For me, that is much of the newly rediscovered fun of using computers.