The Chronicler's Web (TCW)

by DAN CALLOWAY
Published 10 February 2010 @ 05:07 UTC

WEAVERVILLE, NC – I am a long-time supporter of the Linux OS and, in particular, Debian Linux. Ubuntu, the most popular distribution of Debian Linux, based on the Debian Linux kernel, is an OS that you have to admire, if not fully embrace.

With Microsoft seeming to dominate the computing arena worldwide, it is refreshing to go back to an opensource OS that is not only free, but all the applications that run on Linux (and, there are hundreds of thousands that would cost millions of dollars if purchased and installed in Windows) are free as well.

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you’ll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

Canonical Limited issues a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you’ll always have the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, Canonical Limited makes its very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need comes on one CD, providing a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. A standard installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Once installed your system is immediately ready-to-use. On the desktop you have a full set of productivity, internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

On the server you get just what you need to get up and running and nothing you don’t.

So, if you haven’t tried Ubuntu 9.10 desktop, you really need to download and try it for yourself. You don’t have to install Ubuntu to try it. The Ubuntu 9.10 Live CD lets you run the OS from the CD and experience what you will see once you install it. But, even better, if everything you see works while using the Live CD, then it will work once you install it. You can even install Ubuntu Linux alongside Windows and boot up to whichever you want when you want.

So, why did I return to Linux? I returned because unlike Windows, Linux is a true multi-tasking OS that lets you perform multiple processes simultaneously and on separate workstations, if you like. I returned too because all of it is FREE! You just can’t beat Linux. And, now with Ubuntu 9.10, I can access all my Windows PCs across my LAN and my files just like they were on my Linux box. Even accessing Microsoft Office word and other office suite application files is no problem because OpenOffice Suite 3.1 comes standard on Ubuntu 9.10.

Give Ubuntu 9.10 a spin today. You’ll thank me later.