Ubuntu general question

Ubuntu is a free Linux-Distribution: WWW Link

And yes, it needs to be installed on its own partition or harddrive. The fastest way to find out would be to google it, but there is always Wikipedia: WWW Link

As far as price goes, Ubuntu is 'free as in beer', a linux-geek way of saying it comes for free.

But, in reality, once you start playing with it, you realize it's priceless.

I love it. I have one laptop that runs XP and another that runs only Ubuntu. (Seeing as how I'm in Europe and miss my Ubuntu machine so much, one of these days I'll get around to partitioning and installing Ubuntu on this computer, because darn it, I miss it.)

There are, however, plenty of other great, free distros (distributions) out there. Fedora is a very popular one, as well, free as well. It's the one I'm thinking I'll try next as I come to understand Linux more and more. The nice thing about Ubuntu is it's pretty much plug-and-play. It's not too difficult or involved.

Ubuntu is a LiveCD Linux distro. You can download and burn the image. You can then boot your computer from the cd and have a running distro from the cd without installing.

This gives you the chance to check it out and see if you like it without having to install it first. It does run slower that way due to read speeds of a cdrom, but it allows you to evaluate and install if you choose.

Thanx for all the replys Gents, but is there any conflict with running two different systems on the same computer and what are the benefits of running two different systems, or is it too long to explain here and I am better researching it myself.

Typically many first time Linux users set up a dual boot system. That means you have your Windows OS on it's own partition and Linux on another. When you boot the system you're presented with a menu that allows you to choose which OS you want to boot.

There is no conflict doing this as they are separate from each other. I highly recommend doing this for new people trying out Linux.

A word of caution here. Make sure you read up on and fully understand disk partitioning before trying this. The single biggest mistake newbies make is during the partitioning set up. I strongly recommend that you back up your important data before repartitioning you drive just in case you make a mistake and wipe out your current OS data.

I also recommend that you clean up and defrag your drive before attempting to repartition as this will make the process go more smoothly.

While Ubuntu and several other distro installers have GUI tools that make partitioning easier, you still need to understand exactly what it is you're doing before using them.

I would suggest going the LiveCD route first like MasonM suggested, that way you can see if you like the OS before installing it.

Making the switch to a dual-boot system can be difficult.  Chances are you'll need to format your hard drive, repartition it so you can get the linux boot partition on your main drive, and then install each of the OSes separately.  You'll want to install Windows first, then Ubuntu (this is for bootloader purposes, so you can choose OSes at startup).

The benefit of running two OSes on the same system is that you can experiment with something new easily, all you have to do is restart.

However, since you were unaware the Ubuntu was itself a separate Operating System from Windows, I would strongly suggest you do a LOT more research first before installing anything.  Oh, and be sure to back everything important up before trying ANYTHING that involves messing with partitions 

The biggest conflict is you're gonna be cutting your hard drive up, so you'll have less space in the hard drive. But space really isn't an issue these days, is it, when you can by an external, portable hard drive for basically nothing.

The benefits: You get to broaden your horizons and learn all about how to function in a new operating system, which can open mad awesome doors to new possibilities. Plus, then you can be cool, because it's cool to use Linux.

My advice: Linux, any distro, is not Windows. If you go into it expecting it to be just like Windows, just look different, just skin Windows with all of Stardock's myriad programs. If you're willing to do some research and put in some work, you can get a wonderfully cool system set up and expand your knowledge and experience exponentially.

Keep in mind that MasonM's advice is sound - download the newest stable Ubuntu build, burn i on a CD, and play around with it for awhile. Then you can better make an educated decision.

You can dual boot with no conflict
Before you install it, you can run it off a liveCD.  Just put in the CD and rebot.  The OS will install into memory and your cna give it a test run.  It'll be slower . . but it will work.  When done, power off, eject cd, reboot . . and you are back in Windows.

Or . . try this: Install and run Ubuntu without disturbing Windows

Thanx Gents for all the info, I going to go MasonM's route first, also research the whole thing before I go ahead and maybe nuke my puter, which as a youg apprentice years ago I was apt to do and I've done it since as a journeyman, so I catch watch you're saying look before I leap :CONGRAT:  :HOT: 

Reading up and educating yourself is a very wise choice. Linuxquestions.org is a good place to learn.

As far as the partitioning, you won't need to reformat your drive for that, nor will you need to reinstall your current OS (unless of course you screw up the partitioning). I've set up a good many dual boot systems and never once had to reformat or reinstall the existing OS. You should still understand exactly what you're doing before attempting it though.

Try the LiveCD versions and educate yourself. Linux may or may not be for you, but you won't know that unless you check it out.

The 8.04 release of Ubuntu due this week. Will allow you to install it just like any other 'windows' program and uninstall it too. No dual booting, no repartitioning, etc. I haven't tried it, but the reviews have been positive.

Your mileage may vary with programs that repartition without needing to reformat.  I've personally never had one work right and blown away my system many a time with that method.  You can try it, but have everything backed up first and be ready to nuke the machine if something gets messed up.

Thanx Zoomba, I'll have Castro on standby if anything starts going the way of "Bay of the Pigs" on me  Once again Thanx for all the help Gents :CONGRAT: 

Hmmm, I've never had that issue but then I don't use Windows based tools either. Of those, I've heard good reports about Partition Magic but have not used it myself. The partitioning tool most commonly used in Linux installers is QTParted, which works quite well.

Backing up, as I said earlier, is always a wise idea as no tool can prevent the user from screwing things up if they don't understand what they're doing.

Linux users do this sort of thing every day without issues other than PEBKAC problems. But again, this really is where most Linux newbies make a fatal error.

I think you may have a problem identifying people's gender ;)

Hmm, sounded like a new African country...:P

~Zoo

I'm actually from Africa,Ubuntu could be a relative :CONGRAT: but Thanx for all the reply's Ladies and Gentlemen   :HOT: 

On a side note a new version of Ubuntu was just released or will be released this week.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/countdown

I'd also point out that if you have an older PC gathering dust, you might consider loading that one up instead of your main machine. Ubuntu (and any Linux distro that I've tried) work really well on older, less powerful hardware.

I'd also caution you to expect a steep learning curve. Ubuntu and the applications that come with it look a lot like Windows, but it really isn't.

Very true which is why I always suggest dual booting, at least for a while. Linux isn't Windows and does require some learning.

I should have a disk version of Hardy Heron (8.04) ready to play with this next week. I'll load it up and try to post a review. It will be interesting to see what it has to offer.

Just installed hardy heron, and I love it.

Not all that much changes, other than a large speed boost. Almost anti-vista upgrade, even. Everything were improved and gained some speed too!

xx,

Have you tried the virtual machine software that's supposed to be bundled with it? That's the feature I'm most interested in exploring.

And, umm, can you post some screenshots later? Would be a cool article topic if you have the time.

Hmm I don't know where to try the virtual machine software? It may be Ubuntu-only thing? I currently use Kubuntu version of Hardy Heron.