How to Get Ubuntu - A Totally Forever Free Operating System!

Operating Systems....... How much have you paid so far to keep up? How much will you have to pay in the future and how much freedom will you give up by upgrading whatever and whenever Microsoft puts out a new OS? Try Ubuntu, a distribution of Linux - it's free, has always been free, and will always stay free - no matter how much it upgrades it's software! Dell, IBM, plus many more businesses are converting to appropriate versions of Linux for their business needs. Lower costs are only one of the many benefits of using this incredible open source operating system!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A computer
• An internet connection or request the free installation CD for Ubuntu

1. Ubuntu is an incredible free operating system that is easily installed. It includes everything you need to do just about anything. After you install the main operating system, it lets you choose from it's database of thousands of open source or free programs that are ready to be installed on your computer by accessing the add/remove program. It does not pre-install tons of programs that would overwhelm you but they are waiting for you.
   
   If you are not sure if it's right for you, request the free installation CD. Once it arrives in the mail, completely free by the way, use the live boot to try it out without installing a thing on your computer.

2. These are just some of the programs that are installed immediately:
   * Firefox is the default browser.
   * Pigeon is an instant messaging program that can connect to MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, and many more.
   * OpenOffice is a complete office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows, and much much more - comparable to MS Office Pro.
   * GIMP - More powerful and versatile than Photoshop.
   * Evolution is a great mail client, appointment scheduler, calendar with CD and DVD burning software that is comparable to Nero.
   * Blue Tooth support for wireless devices.
   * Movie Player - standard.
   * Rhythm Box is a very good music player.

3. 
   Part of the straight forward menu!

   These are some of the great programs you can choose from - with hundreds of additional programs available in the Add/Remove menu or the Synaptic program (located in the Systems menu).
   * Audacity is a free music system and is easily one of the best complete music studio programs you can get today and is often used by pros.
   * Blender is a fantastic animation, graphics and modeling program.
   * VLC is a great media player and a CD/DVD player.
   * Tons of computer programing software for every aspect of programing and scripting.
   * A few hundred games - a great variety, including Armagetrom, Free Civs, shooters games and so much more!

4. Ubuntu has the added benefit of being safe from hackers & crackers, secure against viruses, and all other malware from the moment it's installed. You will never have to defrag again either! No spyware - guaranteed! It's stability is legendary - rebooting is completely optional! Programmers around the world check and recheck all the coding everyday, insuring your online safety and all program bugs fixed immediately. All updates are free and you install at your convenience.
   
   The Ubuntu promise - a direct quote from their home page:
   * Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.
   * Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world.
   * Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.
   * Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it and pass it on.

5. If you have any kind of problem with any part of Ubuntu, there are online help lines and forums for answers to just about anything computer related. I've provided links below.

Tips & Warnings

• You can take courses to learn Ubuntu professionally but requesting study books from the library might teach you all you need to take the exams to get certified.
• All programs that come with Ubuntu are open source and are free to download on their own.
• Some of the programs that are Windows based need to be run using Wine - 'Wine' derives from the recursive acronym Wine Is Not an Emulator. It can be found in the Add/Remove program.
• Not all the programs in Ubuntu can be run in a Windows Operating System.
• Internet Explorer does not want to install on Ubuntu and can be problematic if installed on Ubuntu.

Resources

• Ubuntu Homepage
• Ubuntu Forums
• Duelin' Deals Blog by Marlaine
• Wine

[Marijoyce]

on 6/26/2009 Wow, I had no idea this even existed. Will have to check this out. Great article, with solid links and very useful info. Thanks. 5*'s.

[greatnews]

on 4/13/2009 Awesome article on How to Get Ubuntu - A Totally Forever Free Operating System! I always worry about having the right drivers for my laptop when going to a different operating system. Sounds like you had no trouble! 5 *'s

[rjspindle]

on 2/28/2009 Actually, I hadn't heard of this yet. I use Gimp and Open Office on my PC already. Maybe when I get my laptop I'll have to check this out. Unfortunately, I need XP on my desktop still. 5*

[MidniteWriter]

on 12/6/2008 I heard of this. I think a lot of people will like this. If you buy a bare bones computer or want to convert, you won't have to buy Windows or Linux!

[sunshine11219]

on 12/6/2008 really good information