Windows 7 or Ubuntu?

Yes, Windows is coming out with yet another operating system (OS): Windows 7. It is basically a hopped-up and repaired version of the painful Windows Vista. Should you shell out your hard-earned cash for more Windows trouble, or step up to hassle-free computing in Ubuntu? Let's look at both systems very broadly.

Ubuntu is FREE!

Ubuntu is a Linux-based OS, and therefore it is completely free of charge, as are any updates and applicable programs. Windows 7 will most definitely not be free. In fact, it will come with the same bothersome updates and license agreements that it always has. And of course if you need support, you could spend hours talking/typing to a technician. Under the Ubuntu OS, you can simply hop on the net and information is abundant. Forums such as http://ubuntuforums.org/ provide free and friendly fixes to any problem you may encounter. How 'bout them apples?

Ubuntu is virus-free!

That's right folks, your days of acquiring Trojans and other malware on the Web are over when surfing with Ubuntu. Viruses are designed for Windows systems (Windows 7 will not be an exception), and so they completely ignore a Linux user when a troublesome site is encountered. What does this mean? This means a safer computer, and more memory freed up by the absence of anti-virus programs! More memory and speed are never bad things.

Windows 7 - Good for gaming

It is a fact: Linux simply does not support gaming like Windows does. Just about all the over-the-counter software games that are popular today were designed for Windows systems. However, they all work with the tried and true XP, as well. So, why would you purchase a newer version that is sure to hog more memory if you only want the gaming features of Windows? Windows 7 is simply not a necessary upgrade for gamers. Ubuntu has a lot of games available for it, however. The first-person shooter games look absolutely awesome. I recommend installing Ubuntu and dual-booting. All that means is that you can either use Windows 7 or Ubuntu when you boot up. Or you could dedicate an entire machine for gaming, and another for daily activities, if you have more than one.

Conclusion

Because there is absolutely nothing to lose, why not try Ubuntu and become familiar with a better PC experience before purchasing another troublesome Windows OS? Ubuntu comes with a quality office suite for word processing and spread sheets, an instant messenger that works much smoother than any I have encountered before, and media players of all sorts. Besides, if you wish to install another program, you are literally a few clicks away from obtaining it, free of charge.

To obtain Ubuntu, simply go to http://www.ubuntu.com/GetUbuntu/download using your Internet browser, choose the desktop version and a download location, and click the big green button. This downloads the ISO (image file) of the OS. Then, simply burn it to a CD using your favorite media burning software and install! You can choose how much space Ubuntu uses, so there is no fear of wiping out your hard drive.