From Windows to Linux - Ubuntu & Me

Let me first point out that I am a recent convert to Linux. I, like many others, was a die-hard fan of Windows, which I believe is due to shear laziness (Linux requires a little love, now and then to get it to do some of the things you want it to). Anyway, last year I was having problems with my laptop -- mostly due to my ignorance of computer operating systems -- and I was getting tired of getting my computer fixed. Also, I did not want to switch from Windows XP over to Vista, because of all the negative reviews I had been hearing. So I decided to be daring and switch to Linux.

At the time, I was working in a book store so I had access to literally dozens of books on computers: operating systems, hardware configurations, databases, programming languages, et. al. Also, there were a plethora of computer nerds working there, and just about every one of them doted on Linux. So, after perusing several 10-pound books, I took a leap of faith and bought one on Fedora Core 6 (which, coincidently, had a disk with the operating system in the back).

Migrating to Fedora Core 6 was a challenge, to say the least (lots of configuration screens to go through). However, even though I knew not what I was doing, I managed it quite successfully. I enjoyed using the GNOME GUI for a while. Then, for reasons I don't recall, I reinstalled FC6 using KDE. I liked that GUI much better, because it had better games on it, and we all know that you can't have a computer without some kick ass games to play. And since I was to stupid to figure out how to install an application like Wine, I had to make do with whatever came with the chosen GUI. Also -- any of you readers who are familiar with Linux can testify to this -- both desktop environments have their own set of applications, most of which are native only to one interface. Therefore, being totally ignorant of my new OS, I again reinstalled the software in order to play their other games -- see a pattern here?

Now, going back to my educated decision on which operating system to choose, I neglected to pay
attention to the fact that, being open source, all Linux distros are either continually being updated, or they are only being updated for a set period of time. (Do you see where I'm going here?) Well, a few weeks ago I tried numerous times -- in vain -- to run updates. Finally, remembering an old acquaintances suggestion -- which I had previously ignored -- I downloaded Ubuntu 8.04. The reason for going with 8.04 instead of 9.04 was because it is being maintained longer.

So. After about 30 minutes of jacking with my CD drive I finally downloaded and copied Ubuntu. After reading through everything on the website, to say I was thrilled would be an understatement. But, being Mr. Murphy's favorite plaything, luck was not on my side -- I couldn't validate or install my download. Never fear, though, because I was desperate I requested a "free" CD. Now the first thing I will brag on Ubuntu about is the fact that it took about a week to get my copy (the website says 6 to 8 weeks).

Being the impatient, ADD-afflicted freak I am, I immediately turned on my laptop and popped in the disk -- installation was as easy as one, two, three. Now I can check my Twitter account every ten seconds, email and my Facebook profile every ten minutes, and watch my FriendFeed updates constantly update in the lower right-hand corner of my screen continuously.

However, all this took some tweaking to accomplish, but being so user-friendly, Ubuntu makes it easy. If I have a question about how to install a new app, or a plug-in -- which I always do -- help is only a few keystrokes away. Also, I am easily able to update at any time.