I tried out the desktop version, the Everex gPC TC2512. It works
fine for websurfing and very light word processing. It choked when I
started using it to touch up digital photos. I bumped up the RAM to 2
Gig with little improvement. So I really can't recommend it. I would
suggest buying one of the fine Ubuntu books. They come with an install
CD and will walk you through a dual install. This will allow you to
try Ubuntu and not disturb your Windows set up. I migrated to open
source apps in a Windows environment first. Got comfortable with them.
Did a dual install with Ubuntu, "just to try it out". I fully
converted the household when I realized I hadn't booted into Windows
for six months and hadn't missed it. Another route would be to dowload
a live CD or three and try them out. They will allow you to run Linux
in RAM and won't muck up your Windows installation. I recommend
Ubuntu, LinuxOS, and Mepis. All are good newbie friendly distros.

I am going to start building my own desktop pc in a few weeks.
Starting with a barebones "Shuttle" kit from newegg.com.

I am just beginning to research Lenox operating Systems as a way to
get away from Windows and try something new.

I can get a Ubuntu disc from Amazon.com for less the $15 dollars,
and thought that would be the best way for me to begin...

Everything will be new to me (building the system) so adding Ubuntu
to the mess should really heighten my experience.... (VBG)

Does anyone think this is a bad idea?

Last Questions: there is Ubuntu and there is Kubuntu...

How do they compare??
Which do you recommend?

You can get a disc for $00 from Ubuntu.com. Sign up and they send it 2 you.

linux discs are free, dude. they'll send you like 5 of them, hoping
you'll pass them around to people.
you can also download them for free.

Ubuntu is available free from Canonical. You can download the ISO if
you have a fast connection and burn it to CD the same day or you can
have them mail you one which can take you 10 weeks. They will even pay
the postal costs!

The difference between Ubuntu and Kubuntu is one of preference, Unlike
Windows, Linux offers the user choice. In this case, you are choosing
between two different desktop managers. Ubuntu uses Gnome and Kubuntu
uses KDE.

KDE and Gnome offer different desktop experiences and I suggest that
you try them both out. Ubuntu and Kubuntu install from Live CDs. That
means the computer will boot to a fully functioning version of the
operating system that runs from the CD. You can then see what works
best before you bother to install it to the hard drive.

Gnome is thought to be simpler while KDE is thought to be more robust,
but these are broad oversimplifications. Most people prefer one or the
other, but they like features of each.

In the little I could find on this that was often
recommended, setting up a PC with dual boot, so you
could try Linux. You have to remember I am real
amateur at all things PC and it scares hell out of me
to start trying to do this with a new one. If the disk
will walk even someone like me through it, it sounds
like it would be great. The thing that scares me is
last year I set up a new Vista machine for a co
worker. It showed me I wanted nothing to do with
Vista. Then I heard MS was dropping XP, so I ordered a
new desktop, and 2 new laptops in XP from Dell,
figuring my wife and I would be set for a while till
hopefully MS found a replacement for Vista. Then the
fun started. Had trouble with the desk top and found
that Dells idea of support is someone who can’t speak
English, and acts like they have never seen a
computer. All 3 computers have small things that are
not right, but I gave up trying to get help from Dell
and live with it. This is why it scares me to do
something and get to where I need help since I know
Dell is worthless. Where do you buy the disk that will
walk me through trying a dual boot set up. I will take
a shot at it on the desktop first, if I can do it
without screwing things up, will try my laptop.

Im a bit behind on this thread but I'll drop my $2 (I have no cents!).

I have built a lot of Shuttle pc's and they are great. I have 25 that I
built 2 years ago for a business client running XP Pro and they have yet
to call me for any problems hardware related - only installing new
software.

I have installed Ubuntu on 5 of those for the same client and its run
solidly.

Vista is making me rich! All the people who try it and hate it and are
stuck with a useless pc - I install XP Pro if they ask or I suggest Ubuntu.

The only problem I have found with Ubuntu - or any linux OS is - you
still have to use the command line at some point and that is just simply
beyond some people. But what I tell them is,

lets keep this as simple as possible. What do you want to do?
I want to type a letter.
Ok. Click this link called Writer and you write what you want.
Do you want to calculate something out?
Yes.
This button Calc is a spread sheet.

I just keep it simple and people pretty much use it just like that.

Linux in general scares people because its so different but, if you take
out all the crap and boil it down to "WHAT do YOU WANT to DO", then you
get to use the computer as a tool.

So, to the original poster of this thread, what do you want to do? From
there you will make your choices.

you get a disc free with THE OFFICIAL UBUNTU BOOK. you can also
order them for free or download them for free from www.ubuntu.com
groups like this are very knowledgeable and generally extremely helpful
if/when you have issues. the official ubuntu book is a good intro, but
i think UBUNTU HACKS is better. dont get a free disc with it, though.

Rather than buying a machine to try Linux, you can run
Ubuntu from a CD on
the machines you already have. If you don't want to
download it, Ubuntu
will mail you a free CD which you should receive in a
week or so. If you
want the CD, go to their site to order. How can you
resist a deal like
that?

I saw that when I was looking at this. Some said this
runs a little slow that way? I found a book and DVD to
load it on Amazon, that looks like it says you can use
it to load both.
<www.amazon.com/.../ref=pd_bbs\
_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1205398257&sr=8-3>

Is this the right one?
Will order it and try. Like I said I don’t know much
about computers and what scares me is ending up stuck
where nothing works, and then having to take it to a
shop since Dell is of no help once they have your
money. <G>. I will order the book and DVD and see if I
feel brave enough to try setting up a dual boot when I
look at the book.

I'll add my two cents to the conversation. I am NOT a computer expert, and I
was able to install a dual boot with Ubuntu very easily on a rather testy
Gateway laptop. It works just fine with only some minor tweaking. I do
recommend using the Live CD first to see if you like it, and if everything
works.

I haven't made the full conversion to Ubuntu, but I'm tempted. It's just a
matter of a few Windows programs that I like and am not willing to give up
on yet.

I haven't commented much in this group, but I have found their insight very
helpful if you have any issues or concerns.

If your interested heres a link that will show you the alternatives
for Linux

....linuxquestions.org/.../Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_softwar\
e

Thanks, I saved that. When I get the book and disk,
and get it going that will come in handy to try it.

From what you say, it sounds like you just made a
pretty hefty investment in
XP. If I were you I would try to get those machines
to work like they are
supposed to. I have heard many similar complaints
about Dell, but that
doesn't mean you should give up on the machines. What
if you or your wife
doesn't like Linux? The very able folks at
simplycomputers2@yahoogroups
will be more than happy to help you get those machines
sorted out. And
there is the possibility that the problems affecting
XP might also affect
Linux. Join up and ask for their assistance.

Thanks I’ll save that site and give them a try.
Both of out laptops work pretty well, just a couple
minor things don’t work like they should, which does
piss me off since these were bought brand new, but
nothing I can’t live with. I will NEVER, for the rest
of my life buy anything that Dell put out unless they
are the last computer maker on earth. <G>
Since the desktop is the worst off, I will try to
look up the info on how to make partitions and format
it again, and try to make a partition for Linux and
download it. If I can get it to run either by choice
it would be great to try on. Wife has her laptop, and
I have mine, so even if I screw up the desktop to
where it will not run at all it’s not like we will be
out. About the only time either of us uses the desktop
is when we want to use the printer or scanner. Even if
I kill it, I guess I can write it off as a learning
experience, as in never buy anything made by Dell. Did
come with a very nice monitor.

If you're willing to spend several hundred dollars just for
a Linux test bed, consider getting a refurbished
not-too-recent desktop system from Tiger Direct or one of
the refurb houses. A new machine, and especially a new
price-pointed laptop, may give you configuration grief that
a more pedestrian box might avoid.

When you do start the installation, ensure that you have a
fully functional web-and-email system up and running
alonside your new Linux pc - you want to be able to google
for info at every step of the way, rather than try&die, just
like any other adventure puzzle. Once you've built it up
and stripped it down a couple of times you'll bettter
prepared to repartition and dual-boot one of your XP boxen.