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[Nogg3r5]

I found this whilst surfing around today...

Dear Darren,

In my last letter I explained how I wouldn't be installing Microsoft Windows on your computer, and outlined some of the reasons why. In this letter I'll talk a bit about what you will be getting, and why. I have installed Ubuntu Linux on your computer, and a whole bunch of additional software on top of that. I'll go through the individual packages in turn in another letter, but for now I'll focus on Ubuntu Linux.

Linux is at the heart of the operating system installed on your computer. It's free from cost, and free to copy, modify and redistribute. It can be seen as a competitor to Microsoft Windows that is often installed on IBM compatible PCs, and OSX which is installed on Apple Macintosh computers.

Linux was started by a crazy student from Finland called Linus Torvalds 14 years ago. He wanted to be able to use some software at home that was in use at his univeristy. Unfortunately the software in question (minix) was proprietary and very expensive to buy, so he set about writing his own version from scratch. He posted a copy of what he'd done so far on the Internet and asked for others to have a look and possibly help him out. They did, and still do. Today there are thousands of developers helping to make Linux a reliable and stable base for computer software.

As well as Linux (which we call the 'kernel') there's lots of other programs installed on your computer. These programs are also free from cost, and free to copy, modify and redistribute (with one or two exceptions). There are people out there who devote large chunks of their own time to maintaining these programs...

There's more to read here: Explaining Ubuntu Linux.

If your planning to install Ubuntu on a computer for a non-computer literate family member, this letter, with a few customisations, could be very helpful!

[El Guru (Al)]

Wow, that is really neat thanks for posting.  Some day (whenever I get a bigger/another hard drive) I want to try out Linux as I am so fed up with M$ crap.  I love Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice and all the other open source software because it is not M$.  I love that I can get (and provide) support very easily on these applications.  Ever try to get support via M$'s website, it is a pain in the rear. 

Now, I wonder was Linux the beginning of the "Open Source" moment?

[Pieter]

What's keeping you from switching?

[Ryan Wagner]

That article is awesome! I never actually knew how Linux started but that is awesome how he just posted what he created in hopes that other people would help him develop it. If that doesn't inspire you to want to at least try it I don't know what will.

[El Guru (Al)]

What's keeping you from switching?

My hard drive is fairly full (about 2 GB left) as it is now and I really don't want to reformat (not sure if I could get Windows XP to re-install).

[xpgeek]

I've played with it. I like it. But whats keeping me from switching? Lots of little things, and one big one. Little things like just my favorite programs like my chosen RSS reader, that I know I could find replacements for but I don't want to. And my big one is no Linux driver for my sound card.

[Ryan Wagner]

Linux distributions are are definitely not comprehensive when it comes to containing all of the necessary drivers. I have definitely experienced those kinds of issues before, which is why so many people want Dell to see Linux preinstalled on the systems. That way they are sure that the hardware is all capable of working well on Linux.