(Original Ubuntu System)
System Specifications
OS: Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10
CPU: 2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad
RAM: 2030 MB DDR2 PC2-5400
Display: Nvidia Geforce 7600-GS 512 MB

In October of 2007 I was perusing the web and came across Ubuntu, and found it quite interesting. It seemed like a neat Idea. I had considered trying to dual boot Redhat in the past but was always too scared for fear of screwing something up. Well for a while I just sort of read info and didn’t install anything. At income tax time (approximately February of 2008 ) I bought a new Rig the most powerful computer I had ever owned (Specs listed above).

Somewhere in between my Ubuntu discovery and rig purchase I had read about virtualbox so now that I had a system I could actually run it on without tremendous lag I decided to give it a go. I found an article which walked me step by step through how to setup virtualbox with Ubuntu. At the time I believe it was Ubuntu 7.10. I really enjoyed the experience and I’ve since installed numerous Linux operating systems on virtualbox just to try them out, however I always come back to Ubuntu. Eventually I grew tired of the limitations you have when virtually running an operating system and decided to give dual booting a try on an older computer, and I loved it. Actually it wasn’t a dual-boot I used Wubi and installed Ubuntu that way on my husbands computer. It was my first experience with compiz as you can’t run that in virtualbox. I love how I’m able to completely customize my desktop experience without handing over more money to some third party company. The availability of software is also another plus, I love how if I need to be able to do something all I have to do is search the synaptic package manager and/or Google to find the features I’m looking for

The only reason at this point that I keep windows is for games (I really hope this changes I would love to see more big name game developers give love to Linux operating systems). I can pretty much do everything else on Ubuntu. Including working on my websites with dreamweaver thanks to wine. I also enjoy the speed I have Even the older computer feels fast again with Ubuntu running on it.

My number one reason for loving Ubuntu though is this. I did have some hardware issues initially when first dual-booting Ubuntu and I all I had to do was a few Google and forum searches to fix them. The community support is phenomenal, and in all the time I used windows (we’re talking all the way back to the beginning here, my first computer had dosshell on it) I have never had the great sense of community and support that I get from the Ubuntu community!

So all in all I would say my experience has been quite positive and I look forward to many years of happy Ubuntu computing.

(Original Ubuntu System)
System Specifications
OS: Ubuntu Intrepid Ibex 8.10
CPU: 2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad
RAM: 2030 MB DDR2 PC2-5400
Display: Nvidia Geforce 7600-GS 512 MB

In October of 2007 I was perusing the web and came across Ubuntu, and found it quite interesting. It seemed like a neat Idea. I had considered trying to dual boot Redhat in the past but was always too scared for fear of screwing something up. Well for a while I just sort of read info and didn’t install anything. At income tax time (approximately February of 2008 ) I bought a new Rig the most powerful computer I had ever owned (Specs listed above).

Somewhere in between my Ubuntu discovery and rig purchase I had read about virtualbox so now that I had a system I could actually run it on without tremendous lag I decided to give it a go. I found an article which walked me step by step through how to setup virtualbox with Ubuntu. At the time I believe it was Ubuntu 7.10. I really enjoyed the experience and I’ve since installed numerous Linux operating systems on virtualbox just to try them out, however I always come back to Ubuntu. Eventually I grew tired of the limitations you have when virtually running an operating system and decided to give dual booting a try on an older computer, and I loved it. Actually it wasn’t a dual-boot I used Wubi and installed Ubuntu that way on my husbands computer. It was my first experience with compiz as you can’t run that in virtualbox. I love how I’m able to completely customize my desktop experience without handing over more money to some third party company. The availability of software is also another plus, I love how if I need to be able to do something all I have to do is search the synaptic package manager and/or Google to find the features I’m looking for

The only reason at this point that I keep windows is for games (I really hope this changes I would love to see more big name game developers give love to Linux operating systems). I can pretty much do everything else on Ubuntu. Including working on my websites with dreamweaver thanks to wine. I also enjoy the speed I have Even the older computer feels fast again with Ubuntu running on it.

My number one reason for loving Ubuntu though is this. I did have some hardware issues initially when first dual-booting Ubuntu and I all I had to do was a few Google and forum searches to fix them. The community support is phenomenal, and in all the time I used windows (we’re talking all the way back to the beginning here, my first computer had dosshell on it) I have never had the great sense of community and support that I get from the Ubuntu community!

So all in all I would say my experience has been quite positive and I look forward to many years of happy Ubuntu computing.

I have been Dual Booting Ubuntu for about two months now, prior to that for about 6 months I was using it along with red hat and OpenSuse on virtualbox. To be honest I really love Ubuntu and would love to rid myself of Microsoft Windows all together but for now I just can’t. I honestly believe that if one thing changed Microsoft would really have something to worry about. What is that one thing you ask? Well I think that more big name gaming developers need to release Linux versions of their games. Yes I’m aware that some games can be installed through Wine, Cedega, and Crossover Games. But this still can be somewhat of a hassle for those people who just want to “use” their computers. I personally would love to see developers give more love to linux systems I think that it’s well deserved.

Other than that I really don’t see linux being that far from wide-spread use. I love that I can make my computer be my computer and linux systems allow for that. The fact is that whether your an adanced user who prefers cutting edge or someone who just wants to use their computer for simple tasks you can find a distro that suits you and your needs. Your not stuck with “what’s in the box” so to speak. If you get a chance and are not nervous definatly check out a few distro’s you never know you might like what you find.

Listed below are some helpful beginner links:

• Virtualbox
• Installing Ubuntu on virtualbox
• Wubi
• Ubuntu
• Freespire
• OpenSuse

If you have a new (or newly wiped) hard drive in your PC, and your Windows Vista DVD is an

For those users who purchased Windows Vista Basic, you’ll notice your missing two of the interfaces available in the other versions of vista. Flip 3D and the Aero Interface. On systems whose graphics capabilities are able to handle such things you may be wondering if there is a way to get these effects without paying the extra cash to upgrade to a different vista version. Good News there is! To get that flip 3D effect users have serveral options available to them.

For $20.00 Top Desk offers the Flip 3D effect as well as the Expose effect found in the mac systems. Better News yet there is also a free utility available to those of you on a tight budget called Shock Aero 3D and for xp users only you may wish to give WinFlip a try.

The following registry hack allows Vista Basic Users to enable Aero on their system (NOTE:BE SURE TO BACK UP YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE PROCEEDING!)

Click Start and type Regedit in the search bar, open the registry editor and navigate to:

net start uxsms

Reboot Your System to see the changes

There is also a program called TrueTransparency that changes the windows border adding png support and so true transparency.

Another option available to users is Stardocks Windowblinds, there are many skins for it which use the transparency effect. Windowblinds however is shareware.

I’m totally loving my new computer. It’s an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz quad core processor with 8MB of cache, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, and a 500GB SATA II hard drive. Plus a Dual-Layer DVD

Stardock has released Deskscapes 2.0 beta, which now can be installed by all windows vista user’s not just vista ultimate users! You can see the full article HERE

Windows Flip 3D and Windows Flip is a new way to switch and jump between opened windows in 3D dimensional or informative view, minimizing the error while selecting target window. Beside, the Flip 3D mode is also a stunning visual view. To activate or trigger Windows Flip 3D or Windows Flip mode, other than using Window Switcher button in Quick Launch bar or pressing

Having played around with iis on windows xp I was never really all that impressed with it, which made me look elsewhere for my webhosting needs, however having upgraded to windows vista home premium I recently decided to check out iis7.

First it has to be said that iis7 is much improved over it’s predecessors. Now it supports multiple websites, as well as it being easier to install php, perl, and python onto it. The control panel also has a nice feel to it. also you can easily serve up https pages with it. So impressed was I with it that I almost feel like I wasted my money when I purchased the pro version of abyss web server, I can honestly say I would not have done so had I known that iis7 would have all these added features. In less than a day I had it up and running and I have installed both php5 and php4 simultaneously as well as support for perl and python.

If you plan on upgrading to windows vista, it’s definatly worth taking a look at and getting to know. For more info on iis7 visit the iis7 home page.

Mozilla Labs is currently working on a project called Prism. Prism lets you access your frequently used websites with one click right from your desktop. I currently have it installed and with the click of a mouse button can acess My google docs as well as google calender. It’s quite a handy program. If your interested you can check it out here