Testing the waters

Part I: Testing the waters

For a number of reasons I won't elaborate on, the best choice for you at the moment is Ubuntu (or its companion version Kubuntu. The difference between the two is that Ubuntu uses the "GNOME" GUI, and Kubuntu uses "KDE". Kubuntu is more Windows-like. Download it (it's free) and make a CD to start your computer with, or make a bootable USB stick from it, or just order a cheap, pre-made CD if you aren't able to, or are uncomfortable making your own.

Doesn't that feel good? You are holding freedom in your hands! Now, put the CD in your machine and reboot ... don't worry, Ubuntu will run without messing up your machine. This is what's called a "live CD". It lets you "try before you buy" ... except that you don't have to actually buy anything. Keep in mind that if you do decide to install Ubuntu on your machine, it will operate much more quickly than it does when running 'live' off the CD.

Play with it, check out all the (yes, free) software included. See whether you can get along with Linux (and more importantly, whether it gets along with your computer! That's all for now ... next week we'll take a look at installing it permanently, and some issues around that which may (should!) be of concern to you.

Don't worry! Your existing Windows setup will not be changed, as long as you don't say "install Ubuntu". You can safely play with Ubuntu running 'live' without concern for existing setup. That will change, however, in part II

Back to Why not Windows?, to the main page, or forward to Installing Ubuntu