Ubuntu is a popular distribution of Linux, designed to be easy to use and accessible to all (a problem with other distributions is the high skill level required to set up and use them).

On most machines Ubuntu will work ‘out of the box’ detecting and setting up all hardware automatically.

Better still, Ubuntu is shipped with a lot of useful software:

• Open office which includes:
• Word Processor
• Spread Sheet
• The Gimp image editing software (similar to photoshop or paintshop)
• Firefox web browser
• Very useful networking tools such as port scanners (for the geeks amongst us)

Better still, all this software can be updated and upgraded with automatic updates. Imagine a Windows update upgrading your image editing software as well as the operating system.

Better still there is a very long list of additional software that can be automatically installed (by searching for programs, and clicking check boxes in a program called synaptic, very easy).

There are other office programs, graphics programs, some games (not very good), web design and programming tools and much more.

Better still all of these additional programs, once installed will also automatically update or upgrade.

Better still, the whole operating system can be automatically upgraded online, imagine automatically upgrading from Windows XP to Windows VIsta, for free!
Advantages

• Completely free and legal operating system and applications!
• Does not suffer nearly as many problems with security / viruses as windows
• Easy to use for the savvy
• Xubuntu is a stripped down version capable of giving an old PC a new lease of life
• EdUbuntu is a version designed especially for Children, if you are planning to teach!
• You can run both Windows and Ubuntu on the same PC (choosing one or the other on startup).

Disadvantages

• Will take some getting used to for those less computer savvy, particularly the way file permissions work
• Applications such as Open Office and The Gimp are not as advanced as MS Office or Photoshop (but fine for the vast majority of users).
• The above issues will not stop you using Open Office etc, but need to be understood when installing additional programs.

You can download and run Ubuntu as a Live CD. Simply put the CD in your PC and restart it. Your PC will up directly from the CD drive, leaving your hard disk intact. It allows you to try Ubuntu risk free, see how it works on your PC, try the free software and decide whether you like it. If you don’t like it, restart the machine and take the CD out (it will pop out automatically during shut down) and your system will be as it was.
Warning!!!

When running Ubuntu as a live CD there is an install icon on the desktop. If you click this icon without knowing what you are doing you can very easily wipe your windows installation!!

If you want to run both Windows and Ubuntu on the same machine back up all important data first, as there is a chance you will lose your windows data and have to reinstall windows.
You have been warned!!

All that said, do not be put off, Its great software.
Ubuntu Download Area

• Unlimited mail box size (starting at 2 GB and increasing with your consumption)
• Unlimited mail box allows Gmail to be used to backup files!
• Chat client which can be used with other Gmail users (useful for collaborating on with
• other students)
• Calendar utility, allowing you to easily plan your timetable / diary, and share this with
• others if you choose
• Powerful Google search can be used on your mail box, making it easy to find your stuff!
• Easy to tag (star) useful mails for quick retrieval
• Better spam filtering than other clients I have used

Disadvantages

• Privacy! Google are not really giving this tool away for free! They scan your mails and use the content to target advertising (visible on the left of the screen). Google promise not to actually read personal information, and I believe them, there is no commercial incentive to do this. That said, the fact that they are using personal data for market research does concern some people.

As mentioned, one of the most useful features of Gmail is the ability to mail large files back to yourself; thus backing them up, and having access to them from any machine with an Internet connection. Whilst you should not rely too heavily on this, it is a very useful feature. Google know people do this, and do not seem to object, I suppose its all useful information for their data miners!

If you create folders to organise your backups, and make good use of the search tool within Gmail, it does prove an effective backup tool, especially if you forget your USB disk!
In order to stop Gmail being used for spam (unsolicited mail advertising Viagra) you need to be invited (a mail is sent to your current mail account) by an existing member. If you ask around, it shouldn’t take long to find a Gmail user willing to send you an invite.

Why You Should Get It!

• Its completely free
• It is considered more secure than Internet Explorer
• It has an in-line spell checker
• It will warn you of phishing sites designed to fool you into giving away personal / bank details
• There are lots of really useful plug ins available, such as download accelerator’s

FireFox is open source, meaning it is developed by a community of developers, as opposed to a commercial company. It is this ethos that promotes early patching (many people are working on FireFox). This is also the reason so many plug ins are available (people think of a useful plug in, create it, share it!!).

Used with Google toolbar it offers better protection against phishing sites and will give a very clear warning if you get sent to a spoof bank site for example.

Google tool bar includes a more powerful spell checker that will correct spelling mistakes in emails etc.

I have been using FireFox and Google Toolbar for several years and never looked back, it is a far more pleasant experience than using I.E. why not try it for yourself!

If you would prefer to download FireFox without the Google toolbar then visit:

Download Mozilla Firefox Now!!!