Ubuntu ubuntu they run it in the jungle...

In the last few weeks we've seen the release of the most important operating system in Microsoft's history (in my opinion)...and it's a case of make or break for them.
Microsoft needs Windows 7 to be successful. Their reputation after the release of the abomination that is Vista, was severely damaged. However, they're hoping Windows 7 is set to repair that damage and from what I've experienced I think it just might.

In the meantime, there are other operating systems looking to take a bigger percentage of the otherwise Windows dominated market place.
The most obvious alternative for a lot of people is Apple's OSX. But that's limited to relatively expensive Mac hardware (unless you're technically literate and can sort yourself out with a "Hackintosh").
Another not so obvious choice (for the non tech savvy consumers) is Ubuntu.
From version 8 onwards Ubuntu started targetting the regular consumers rather than the existing Linux aware users. Each iteration has become more and more user friendly and is now at the point where I believe it to be a real competitor to the Microsoft standard choice.

Ubuntu 9.10 ("Karmic Koala" - I love their naming convention) was released on Thursday and looks to me to be the most user friendly (and pretty) version to date. The installation is a doddle and even users who have only ever used Microsoft operating systems will be able to work it out pretty quickly.

Admittedly there will always be a few things that users aren't able to figure out for themselves, but the generous support community and various online guides would solve that. The interface shares features with both Windows 7 & Mac's OSX (in fact they're all starting to look alike...but that topic is for another time) and the usually required software comes pre-installed (Firefox, OpenOffice, Evolution Mail etc.).

So for anyone thinking what to do with an old computer or wondering whether it might run Windows 7, why not think about Ubuntu to start with. It's definitely worth a try and you never know, you might like it.

Bring out your dead....PCs...

I'm often amazed at the amount of junk that we accumulate at home.
I'm one of the first to admit that I don't throw things away easily, but there are some things that you always think you'll find a use for (at some point in time).

But old computers? Will we really ever use them again?
My father-in-law called last night to see if there was anything out of his old computer we should keep (this is an Intel Pentium 133Mhz box with 48MB RAM and a 2GB hard disk!).
Technology has become so cheaply available at ever increasing quantities & Mhz that we wouldn't even consider using the 'old stuff'. What worries me is that there are millions more machines out there sitting in people's attics/lofts that are sitting there gathering dust whilst the owner works out whether they will be usable ever again.

And I'm sure this problem will only get worse.