Hi, I'm interested in ubuntu linux as it seems pretty straightforward. I want a simple machine for net access and for various IM programs, would that distribution be any good? I've messed around with Mandrake and others before but thing I'm jumping in at the deep end too much as I quickly loose interest in getting the fully working (although I am able to install drivers and things, I get so fed up I just stick XP back on). And you can order free CD's - any good?? Cheers!

I've hared good reports about it but never tried it myself. Personaly for a system that works without any messing about MEPIS is my choice, knoppix is also a good choice. I messed around with a few distro's and went back to w2k before moving to using mandrake about half the time, I now run MEPIS as my main OS with knoppix and DSL for messing around with things and w2k only for occasional VPN connections to work.

I use Ubuntu for my workstation and really like it, it recognizes all of my hardware and is stable. It's a different distribution in the sense of the use of the root account, but besides that it's OK. It has a good patching system (bases on apt-get) that's graphical so it's easy to stay up to date with the patches. Regards

The root account can easily be changed to operate in a normal fashion. It is a Debian based system, and apt works pretty much like that distro. I run it in a virtual machine under VMWare workstation on XP. It seems to be a solid (if somewhat new) distro to me. Guy

I have used it a couple of times. Ran pretty well even the live cd. I sent away for the free disks and they sent me 10 for amd and 10 for intel which I though was cool. Took a long while to get them though. I have the same problem with linux as you. I get into it and then loose interest and find mself being victimized by XP's conveinance mcc