posted
Well, you can, but it is laborious. So, if your computer is languishing under an old version of 'that' operating system, rejuvenate it with a new one and keep on writing.
I have 5 official copies of the Ubuntu Linux Operating System and associated Open Source software to give away. The first 5 people to email me their addresses will get them. OR, you can go to the website and download a 700Mb ISO file. Your choice.
1) I use it at home on a 300Mhz 512k Ram 40 Gb Dell desktop that would no longer run under Windows 98. I have extended the useful life of that machine by years.
2) It costs no $ and you are legally allowed to use it, modify it, copy and pass it along, etc
3) It is supported by Ubuntu. You will be able to download updates for up to 3 years or so. By then, of course, you'll probably have upgraded past this version to the next version and it will be further supported.
4) It is very stable. No blue windows of death!
5) It comes with open source software that will read and write your standard work environment 'office' files.
6) It is easy to use. My 8-year old does very well with it.
quote:Ubuntu is a complete open source operating system suitable for desktops and servers. The base system and all included software is free, and support is available from the community or by professional support providers. "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others". The Ubuntu distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.
This is a Live Ubuntu CD that can be run directly from your CD drive. Simply leave this CD in your drive and reboot the computer to run a demo of Ubuntu. Nothing will be installed on your computer, nor will your current system be altered in any way.
Unless you wish to install it, that is. In that case, just use the 'Install' option.
Just putting it in the CD drive and booting up on it is a great way to try it out without messing up your current operating system.
quote:A brief tour
The standard user interface is based around the Gnome desktop environment. When you start the system for the first time you are greeted by a desktop that is unusually clean and tidy. No desktop icons by default! Even the recycling bin has been moved down to the taskbar. The default theme is designed to be easy on the eye. But Linux is inherently flexible; you can customise the look and behavior of the desktop in a range of ways, from simply changing the default theme to selecting a different desktop environment altogether, such as KDE.
The Applications menu gives you access to a selection of useful programs, such as Firefox and OpenOffice.org. The Places menu provides access to local files and network locations, while the System menu contains system settings. Ubuntu includes more than 1,000 supported pieces of software, starting with the Linux kernel version 2.6 with Gnome 2.14, and covering every standard desktop application from word processing to programming tools. If you should require more software, simply use the Add Application utility to download and install programs from the freely available software repository. The Universe repository features a further 10 000 applications.
[This message has been edited by mikemunsil (edited July 18, 2006).]
posted
Last broken computer I had was a hardware problem. Might make an interesting experiment on my antiquated laptop, though.
Posts: 2 | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
So long as I have a brain that can manipulate images, I can write. But if I don't have hands to manipulate a keyboard (at most) or pen and paper (at least), it'll never be shared with anybody...
I've never had the trouble with Windows that others constantly report...I've had troubles, but the most I've done is abandon one computer with Windows 95 and jumped into this current one with Windows-whatever-it-is.
(I do have some new security software that seems to routinely eliminate saved log-ons and such. But that's no tragedy...)
Of course, if my computer doesn't work, I can't talk to anybody here...
Yep, as pogo says, you can ask and Ubuntu will ship them to you free.
One use for these, is to find people in your neighborhood with older computers, put linux on them, and then donate them to a school or kids who need a break.
posted
Its even harder to write on the comouter when you have four loving and caring children. One of them being a MSN chat teenage queen who demands loads of time - like my wife says "its the new phone for teenagers"...lucky me.
I end up trying to stay awake late just to type out a story!
Yes I could kick them all off - but then that would be mean..which I am not.
[This message has been edited by TMan1969 (edited July 19, 2006).]
If you're not mean, you're not qualified to be a parent.
By the way, if you want to use a simple Linux release to get an old system in working order as a terminal for your kids, that's not a bad idea at all. Those Ubuntu folks have a verson specifically designed for educational purposes.
posted
Heh? You mean if you weren't so addicted to games?
I have to admit, I've never had much against Windows. If your hardware is in good shape, and you don't act foolish with your software, it isn't that bad anymore. On the other hand...Linux really is a lot more stable. That's not an idle boast. It's also very powerful. You really can get a lot of value out of an older computer by installing a recent version of Linux, while you can't do the same with Windows. And the open-source movement trends towards Linux. If you're not into fancy graphics and just want great games, Linux isn't a bad way to go at all. Naturally, the productivity software is better by a good bit.
So, install it on your older machines that can't run the latest version of Windows. You'll come to like it. A lot of simple Windows programs can be run under Linux if you want.
posted
Aha. So, when you're playing Dawn of War, do you ever wish it were a team FPS? Because they have some pretty good mods in that vein.
Posts: 8322 | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
Well this is becoming really trendy as of late, but I'm a microsoft guy. I'm happy with my windows and ready for Vista.
Posts: 2195 | Registered: Aug 2006
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