你能够在任意的旧的，或者新的计算机上使用一份可靠的，自由的操作系统么？这些操作系统能够附带足够的自由软件么？这些操作系统能够通过一张Live CD来体验一下么？这种操作系统能够和windows或者Mac操作系统共存于一个硬盘中么？
在Linux社区中存在着非常多的Linux发行版，每个发行版都是依照开源软件的标准制作的，他们的背后站着不同的用户，他们面对的用户和市场也不同，比如企业、教育和商用。
平台选择
易于安装、性能稳定的Ubuntu 发行版很快成为Linux平台的选择，因为你可以在任意平台上运行Ubuntu Linux的Live CD，然和可以将数据存储于USB设备中，以便达到快速处理的目的。这种处理方式给移动计算以新的定义。
自从使用DOS和早期的Windows系统以来，我已经很久没有纯粹的由计算机带来的乐趣了，但是自打我从几年前开始使用Linux操作系统的时候，我有找回了这种感觉。但是这些Linux发行版对新手的要求比较高，学习的曲线相对较陡，不容易上手，但是Ubuntu出现了，他改变了这一切。一路next安装好Ubuntu Linux后，你就可以开始上网、写东西，可以使用图形或者音频程序。
自打Ubuntu Linux 6.06以后，Ubuntu Linux 就已经成为Windows的很好替代品。
因为Linux采用用户安全认证和严格的安全规则，这样使得没有得到授权的软件无机可乘，所以一般来说，Linux平台的反病毒软件和反垃圾软件市场空间有限。Ubuntu 在南非当地的土语中的意思是对人类慈爱，该发行版已经运作了5年，通过论坛对用户提供支持，每隔6个月发布一个新的发行版。
目前他已经支持Intel x86, AMD 64-bit, Power PC (Apple iBook, Powerbook, G4 和 G5) 和 OpenPower (Power5)等架构，日前也开始支持SUN公司的UltraSPARC和T1架构。
目前该发行版没有用户限制，而且不需要购买费用，该公司目前的后台支持是位于英国的Canonical公司。在今年的德国科隆的LinuxWorld大会上，Ubuntu Linux被授予对用户最友好的发行版，Canonical公司也因为在商业和社区间的合作或者了赞誉。
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.