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.