This distro really is great. I recommend that if any of you have not tried this you do...especially anyone new to Linux. The best resource for this is by far http://ubuntuguide.org/ This website walks you through the basics of using the OS and you learn a lot about linux. I'm still pretty new to it all but am learning fast. If I didn't need AutoCAD I would probably ditch windows completely.

The latest release of Ubuntu (version 5.0.4, I think) is really great. Being a Debian-based, it is really stable. And, it supports 64-bit processor! Take that MS Windows! AutoCAD? There are plenty of AutoCAD alternative for Linux platform. Why don't you explore and try them. The Open Source one may not be as comprehensive as AutoCAD but it can do some or most if not all as compared to AutoCAD.

I experiment with a number of distro's. Am currently running Ubuntu in a VMWare VM. It is indeed a nice distro. Guy

BricsCad, an IntelliCAD version at www.bricscad.com is working on a linux version. Unfortunately it runs under wine only at this moment (RedHat, Fedora, SuSe a bit). I run QCad under Ubuntu, just use synaptic to install. PeterPP

How can I install Ubuntu 5.0.4? I have downloaded it from the Ubuntu website, and it comes in an ISO format, all 580 MB of it! I wanted to install it as a second OS to my existing Windows 2000, but I clicked this ISO folder and it doesn't open up, and I have been unable to install. Then I burned a CD with this ubuntu in the ISO format, insert it in the laptop CD ROM, and then turn it on, but it did not boot up. Why doesn't this ISO folder open up into the individual folders so that I can at least click the "Install" file. Can someone please guide me on installing this 5.0.4 Ubuntu, either as a second OS to my existing W2k, or as the sole OS, on my second laptop. Thanks in advance.

use nero and look 4 'burn image to disk' direct it to the .iso file. burn it :)