Ubuntu is an African word meaning ‘Humanity to others’, or ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’. It also means, “Not a bloated, slow, bug filled, unsecure, virus laden, piece of crap like Windows”.

Ubuntu is a version of Linux, Unix was one of the original operating systems, before Microsoft and before Apple. I’ve always wanted to try the new Linux versions. I learned computers from the C:> prompt. I also learned VMS, the operating system for  Digital Equipment (DEC), are they still around? And I did some time on Unix on a Unisys machine. I hated Windows when it first came out and any program I bought was from WordPerfect, Borland, Lotus and anyone but Microsoft.

A few years ago I became interested in checking out Linux again, but couldn’t give up a few programs that don’t have counterparts in the Linux world, until now.

The GPS I used was really a PDA on Windows Mobile that I had to download maps from my laptop to the PDA because the memory wasn’t large enough to handle more than a few states at a time. Now the entire US and Canada fit on one SD card. Even with Google Maps and a GPS, I still like some sort of routing program on a screen bigger than my GPS in case I can’t get online. I can’t use my Drivers Daily Log program with the new company. So my main reasons for XP aren’t so strong anymore.

I’ll still be with Windows no matter what now. I need to take the A+ and Network+ tests and this semester I’m taking a Vista class. So I may be using all three. Mainly Linux and Vista and I may keep XP in case someone has a question about it.

Ubuntu is small and fast and it’s getting easier all the time. With all the resources on the Internet, if you have a question about how to do something, google it and the answer is probably there. Linux used to only be used by the Super Geek. Unix as a whole is still pretty geeky, but with the graphics interface they are trying to change that. Ubuntu is being used on a lot of the small Netbooks that are mainly used for going online to check email and surf the internet and it’s becoming more popular around the world.

Want to check it out? There are a couple of different ways to check it out without destroying your XP or Vista setup. Goto Ubuntu.com for more info and I’ll explain more if anyone is interested.

The easiest way to try it is to use wubi. This installs Ubuntu just like a regular windows program. You won’t see the speed benefits because you’re still running Windows, but it’s an icon on your desktop and you can uninstall it using Add / Remove Programs. wubi is a small download, but it goes out and downloads Ubuntu and that’s a 700 meg download.

I’ll explain with more detail later if anyone is interested in dumping Microsoft. My question would be, “Who wouldn’t want to dump Microsoft?” And did I mention it’s free? And the programs that run on Ubuntu/Linux – free. Now, who wants to dump Microsoft?