What's an Ubuntu and Should I Get One Now that I'm Retired?

I just turned 60 and am really glad to join the ranks of our growing senior citizen population - it's hard to believe I made it! I like it! I don't work - unless you call this writing addiction work - and quite frankly while I'm not rich, I have sufficient money to buy all the necessities and a few luxury items - in fact last week I bought a motorcycle! Perhaps I'm not the normal senior citizen. It's hard to tell what normal is anymore.

Anyway, I want to talk about a thing called "Ubuntu" and perhaps convince you that it really is a good thing. Ubuntu is a computer software system that uses an operating system called Linux which is like the "Windows" thing that Microsoft sells. I've been using this Linux stuff for several years and it is a mystery to me why more people don't use it. If the reason is a lack of understanding, I hope these few words will provide some information that is useful. Ubuntu comes complete with word processing, spreadsheet, power-point, music listening and movie watching software. It also has photo editing software, sound copying and many other features that I never use. As far as I can tell, it has all the stuff that Windows has.

I'm not particularly computer savvy, but I like to email friends and family as well as engage in instant messaging (IM) with a few other close friends. I read several on-line newspapers, make on-line purchases, listen to music on my computer or download music to my Ipod, watch an occasional DVD, type letters and articles such as this and keep track of my bank account via the Internet. Additionally, I use the spreadsheet program and have a small addiction to spider solitaire and sudoku, if nothing else has caught my attention on any particular day.

So there you have the short list of what I accomplish with my computer. Now back to Ubuntu. IMHO - hehe - computer talk for "in my humble opinion" - Ubuntu is better than the Windows operating system and perhaps the best feature is that it is free. I do everything that I used to do with Windows and have never been plagued by those pesky messages that Windows places on a computer screen to confound the user. Updates automatically appear on your computer screen and a few clicks enable you to download them and insure that your version is current. Everything is virtually the same as the popular Windows systems as far as word processing, spread sheet, music listening and movie watching or anything else you want to accomplish.

I often listen to others that talk of computer virus problems or spy-ware issues with Windows that force them to take their computer to a local tech to be cleansed so that it will operate properly. I'm not sure I totally understand why, but I have had my computer operating 24/7 for over 3 years with the Linux system and have never had a problem - other than an unplanned shutdown due to an electrical outage caused by an accident or thunderstorm or when my wife unplugged my computer to vacuum - ugh!

The obvious response to the few words I've written is - "If it's so good why doesn't everybody use it?"

That's a great question and I really don't know the answer. I'm sure there are some technical reasons, but the reality is that a person can save a lot of money and have a computer operating system that is reliable, dependable and always has any updates available with the latest changes. A few years ago, when I first heard about Linux, I was scared to take a chance on losing my files and the information that I had a Windows. It was foolish, because I soon learned that all my Windows files could be saved on Linux. Once I learned that, I decided to take the plunge. Since I wanted to be cautious, I hired the neighborhood teenage "computer geek" to help me out and install the new system. I paid him $25 and he was delighted and I soon learned that there was no reason to be afraid.

The motivation to write this is to share information with others. I just read that Dell, the large computer manufacturer, is now or planning to offer the Linux operating system on their computers. Of course this option will make the computers less expensive because they will not have to pay Microsoft for software. The other good news here is that there now is a large manufacturer that is publicly acknowledging that this Linux Ubuntu system is worthy. Of course those skilled in the computer business have known that for years. The final good news is that users like me can take advantage of a opportunity to enjoy a free system that is available at no cost and no risk. This is one of those rare times in life where you really can get something for free that is a fantastic value.

Anyway - just thought I would share the good news with anyone that is not particularly computer savvy, but wants to have a system that is as easy to use as this. One can simply google 'Ubuntu" to find tutorials as well as additional information that will spell out the ease with which this can can be used.