I've just realized that I've never said what Ubuntu is.

Ubuntu is some software you put on your computer, which does the same job as Windows. It is an Operating System - that is it allows you to easily add on more programs to enable you to perform whatever task that your computer will allow you to do.

Ubuntu is a type of "Linux" (click here to go to Linux.co.uk, or scroll to the bottom for links to useful articles). It is based on the Linux "Kernel", which is the heart of any linux based operating system.

So why am I using Ubuntu, and not Mandrivia, or Suse, or Debian.

Really, down to ease of use. I had tried installing FreeBSD, and then installing Gnome (a visual system to go ontop of the text based OS). I had to give up in the end, I just did not know enough about Linux. I was advised by my soon-to-be-boss at my interview that Ubuntu looked quite good, and I should try it. So, A little while later, I downloaded and tried Ubuntu Linux. He is right, it is very good, especially for a Linux newbie like me. I know quite a lot about windows, but at the time, nothing about Linux.

Installing it, has previously been described (somewhere, sorry, I can't remember where) as a bit like "sneezing". I have to say, that is an apt description. I used the text based installer, and zipped through it with no problems. If you want, you can use the graphical version, which will basically give you a "live cd" (A cd you can run an OS off to try it out, or repair a machine), with an install link on the desktop. Follow the very simple instructions, and then just do something else for a while as it installs. Takes about half an hour to an hour, depending on the speed of your computer.

To find out more, check out these articles on Linux.co.uk:

Installing Ubuntu: Comparison of Installing Ubuntu and XP

An illustrated tour of Ubuntu

What is Linux?

Why use Linux?

Wikipedia Article