Windows has long been the frontrunner for PC operating systems. A few other systems came and went primarily for large office network use, but one has been slowly growing in the background for the desktop and is starting to take on the big boys; Ubuntu Linux.

Linux has a long long history, but has always been the choice of geeks and nerds and is better known today as a stable web server platform rivalling Microsoft products to host websites and applications but usually this meant advanced programming techniques to install hardware and software so was never useful for the ‘normal’ end user.

Yesterday I downloaded and installed Ubuntu 8.04, the latest version, completely replacing windows vista and wow! A nice, clean, customisable graphic interface allowed an easy install. My Acer Aspire lapto worked out of the box, my portable Dell D410 needed an extra package to allow my wireless network to work, and my Fujitsu-Seimens Amilo, again no problems.

Ubuntu now has some nice graphic effects to rival Vista although it is lacking the translucent ‘glass’ effect. Is this really needed when there are some extras thrown in which even Microsoft didn’t think about! It also comes bundled with the most commonly used software with the ability to add new programs very easily. It comes with Firefox web browser, Open Office word processor, spreadsheets etc. It has an IM to replace MSN (ad free), Gimp graphics editing suite, music players, video players, ipod software and much much more.

Best of all, Ubuntu is free and so is most of the software used with it. This has always been the case, and always will be. If I want some accounting software for my small business, instead of searching for and buying it, I just open the ‘add remove programs’ option and select it from a huge list of available software. Ubuntu then downloads, configures and installs it without asking for credit card details, annoying confirmations and silly ‘advanced’ questions.

Ubuntu have certainly been working hard and are ready for the ‘normal’ user’s desktop. Hardware compatibility isn’t 100%, but on most modern PCs and laptops, there are no problems. (This can be tested before install)

There are downsides however, if you need very specific software, you will generally have to forget the move.  While Gimp (the graphics package) works very well with all sorts of art formats like Photoshop, PNG etc, you need to relearn the interface and accept that photoshop just itself won’t be available. Gimp does however have lots of functionality so it’s not to be sniffed at! (try gimp here, also available for windows) Also if you have software to run your mobile phone or PDA, you may find it’s unavailable, particularly if it’s windows based or custom phone software. (Microsoft et al. like to lock their software to ensure noone can copy it, it can lead to difficulties when writing software to synchronise.

Open office (also available for windows) is a very good MS Office replacement. It has some minor incompatibilities with newer MS Office formats but then so does MS Office.

The next time you swear at your computer for lost data, blue screens and general annoyance, remember that there is an alternative! Talk to your IT team or a geeky nephew. Ubuntu Linux is a fantastic alternative. If you want to see if it will work on your computer, download it, burn it to disk, boot up on the CD and choose the ‘try’ option instead of install and it will run right from the CD with most functionality in place. (Be aware that running off the CD will make Ubuntu seem slower than it is. Once installed, it will run much more smoothly. See Ubuntu Here

When testing, remember to check compatibility with everything you need! The last time I did this, I forgot the printer, the most fundamental peice of hardware which, if it doesn’t work, makes Ubuntu a terrible replacement.

If you have a particularly large hard drive, you can also set up a dual boot. This means windows and ubuntu work alongside each other so when turning your computer it will ask which you would like to use.

Extra benefits to note:

Most virus’s are programmed for Windows, not Linux.
You’re not funding Microsoft’s billions of pounds of advertising, CD creation and distribution meaning you are being ‘greener’.
You’re voting with your feet when it comes to Microsoft’s global domination.
Ubuntu is available for Mac to replace OSX.

Remember your last office powercut… how did you survive? Chances are you went to the cafe for an early lunch or even went home because everything important stopped working! We run everything on electricity, computers, internet routers, mobile phone chargers, laptop chargers, office radio, telephone systems, overhead projectors, clocks, fish tanks, printers, fax machines, photocopiers and many more.

Here are the top tips for running a greener office, bringing down your fuel bills and generally feeling better about your contribution to the world’s pollution.

Buy Only Green Energy

Many energy suppliers are giving us the option to buy 100% green energy. If you’re not the business owner, do some reasearch and present a case to your boss. By going green you stop oil being mined from ever-decreasing supplies and being burned on your behalf. You’ll be safe in the knowledge that your electricity is renewable. You will also be increasing demand putting more pressure on oil companies to drop prices and the government to take green energy seriously. You may be paying more for green energy but many of the following options can help to balance the cost and continue to help the environment.

Swap your computer for a laptop

Laptops are getting cheaper, much more powerful and are ready to replace the desktop computer. As well as being more convenient for transport and travel, they use less power. Laptop computers are designed to perform the same tasks while using up less power. They do this by running more efficiently, producing less heat, less noise and more efficient processing distribution. Home workers can also wander into the garden in the summer and continue working with a glass of chilled lemonade.

Swap bulky CRT monitors for LCD

Those big horrible monitors consume more power than an equivalent sized flat monitor and again the prices are coming down. The bigger they get, the more power they consume so swapping a 14″ crt for a 32″ LCD won’t change much. Research has suggested that a 17″ monitor is the perfect size for maximum productivity. Any bigger and the eyes get lost, any smaller and the eyes strain to see the size and work with more layered windows.

Turn off what you can overnight

If it’s not switched on, it’s not consuming energy and just as importantly, internet hacking is impossible. Turn off printers, desktops, laptops and anything else which does not need to be switched on overnight. I also mean off off, not standby off. Some standby modes consume just as much power as when turned on.

Unplug unused chargers

Mobile phone chargers, laptop chargers, battery chargers, walkie-talkie chargers, Tom tom chargers all produce heat when plugged in, even if they’re not charging anything! Yes this saves you a little time scrabbling about under the desk trying to find it, but it costs money, energy and contributes to pollution and the climate instability.

Energy Saving light bulbs

The traditional light bulb produces light, but it also generates a lot of heat. This heat apart from being a fire risk again costs money to produce. Energy saving bulbs are more expensive, but they last longer and can save you a considerable amount of money in energy bills, they pay for themselves within a relatively short space of time.

Use Natural Light

If you have windows, use them, natural light is healthier to work in, feels nicer, and best of all is free! (At least while Brown and Darling don’t know about it) It helps your body produce vitamin D, and a nice view of the park (or the building opposite) is always nicer than office walls. Better health and well-being increases productivity.

Support like-minded businesses

By buying from greener companies over less efficient ones you will help increase demand for green businesses and start to make a difference among your own suppliers and clients.

Be a paperless office

While paper generally now comes from renewable resources, the energy burned to cut and process trees, transport paper doesn’t. If it doesn’t need to be printed, don’t print it! If you need to empty your paper bin or shredder more than once a fortnight, perhaps you’re throwing away too much. Where can it be saved?

The big green debate

Not everyone agrees we can save the planet, not everyone agrees we’re destroying it, many people think it’s inevitable and we’re being encouraged to spend money where it’s not necessary just to line government pockets.The tips above are on a green theme, but with rising fuel costs and above average inflation, most of these will save you money, save on fuel tax and make your business more self sufficent. Laptops continue working for a few hours in power-failures. Computers switched off are hacker proof. Laptops can be secured in safes. LCD monitors take up less deskspace. Excessive amounts of paper with hot powered lights and machines can pose a fire risk. Some mobile phone chargers have been known to explode if left on for long periods of time. (These are usually recalled but the possibility of it happening again is there) Similarly with Laptop batteries.

Credit: Wind turbine photo courtesy of Patrick Finnegan.