Free Ubuntu 8.04 operating system CD. Preorder Now!!

or they all work for Microsoft or Apple!!

MICROPPLE

Ubuntu has paved the way for linux on the desktop ... I'm running the beta of Hardy on my laptop and it's fantastic.

I fully recommend everyone trying it out - if you don't want to wait for a CD in the post, just download the ISO and burn it!

Ever since installing SP1 for Vista I have started regretting it. Ubuntu is excellent for what I need. next week I am even going to format my HDD's to get rid of Vista and just have Ubuntu and a copy of Xp for backup. Very HOT, definitely worth a download if you have a fast connection

Nice to have a CD just in case you cant re download

H & R added

Well if you've downloaded it, theres nothing to stop you making a cd lol

Anyone else have problems getting ubuntu to work with wireless pci adapters?

I had to go through the hasstle of downloading an application called 'ndiswrapper' to allow ubtuntu to use the windows driver as ubuntu would not recognise my linksys wireless pci network card.

When you've got an open source OS, you need to install an external program to run Windows drivers/apps, otherwise it wouldn't be open source.

The wireless problems are quite possibly the worst bit of ubuntu but its getting better all the time, and chances are yours will work with a little tweaking. What's more, this a a Long Term Support release, so the focus is not on new technology that could create problems, but easy to understand/maintain useable software.

I'll be installing the beta very soon although It's already in RC.

However, I would reccomend a dual boot for first time users, and take a backup before you start. It's easy to make a mistake, even though anyone could install it. you should definitely use a howto.

You dont even have to preorder it - you can download it and burn it to disk (where it creates a 'live disk').

This enables you to run it from your CD/DVD drive to see if you like it before you chose to install it.

It runs faster than windows - virtually no viruses have been written for it (unlike windows) - and it is far more stable than windows.

99.99% of the software that you run on it is free too - and you download the 1000s of packages available from an integral part of the operating system that installs them itself and then will delete them for you (if you dont like/use them or want the space back).

Its a version of Linux, which is run on more servers than windows, so would this happen if it was unreliable?

It also updates itself - and upgrades to a newer version twice a year (8.04 stands for April 2008 - with the next being 8.10 and the current 7.10).

Most non microsoft windows products are available to run on Ubuntu too.

You can still use MSN - only its called AMSN or Kopette or Pidgin (there are many to chose from) and you cannot spread MSN viruses as its not MSN.

You still use Firefox or Opera as your browser, but no Internet Explorer.

The free office software integrates with your scanner, and is virtually identical to the bigger slower MS version.

PDF files open quickly and automatically as do zip files.

If you shove a blank disk into your DVD/CD drive - a package opens asking if you want to create a data, video or audio disk - and opens a window to drag and drop what you want on the disk.

As I mentioned already - if you can burn it to a disk to try it first before you install it.

Lastly - why give money to americans - when you can get a better product free?

Heat and rep!!!

the site doesnt load... guess the server is down!

You can also use the liveCD to get your pc up and running and back online when Windows corrupts, so that you can browse for ways to fix Windows (or you may find you prefer the Ubuntu simplicity )

Googling a while back brought up several comments that downloaded/burnt cdroms did not install as reliably as the "genuine" cds. Anyone any experience?

... and I definitely agree about not giving americans more money

Good find thanks for the link..heat n rep added.

I think you get sent to a "launchpad" page, which requires you to be logged in.

In the meantime, you want to go to the shipit ubuntu page. https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

then register and request!

And about burnt vs sent cds, Both my gutsy CDs were faulty, my burnt hardy and feisty are fine, haven't tested my sent feisty. I got some nice stickers though!