[Vision2020] April Fools

[Paul Rumelhart]

Dave wrote:
> IMO your best option is to simply nuke Windows off of your computer (or
> at least don't use it).  I mean why use such a vulnerable and crappy OS
> in the first place?   Can you give me one good reason (beside gaming)?
>
> Start here: http://www.ubuntu.com/
>
> Dave
>   

An acceptable alternative for those who don't wish to make the leap, for 
whatever reason, might be to download one of the "live CDs" for Ubuntu 
and burn it to a disk.  That way, if your computer gets hosed (a 
technical term), then you can boot from that CD without actually 
installing the operating system and at least get email and web browsing 
capability again.  I don't think anyone really knows what the payload 
from the conficker worm will be on the 1st, so it's hard to say how 
likely or not this situation might be.

Here is the link to the Ubuntu download page: 
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

I run Ubuntu (really Kubuntu, but it's basically the same thing) at both 
work and at home.  I run any Windows apps I need to run (which aren't 
many) on a virtual machine.  I'm a programmer, so it's safe to say that 
I put my computer through it's paces more than most, and I haven't been 
happier on any other operating system than I am on Ubuntu.  So, be 
warned - if you try it out on the 1st because your computer just ate 
itself (another technical term), you might just decide to stay.  You can 
always shrink your Windows partition and install it as a second boot 
option if that turns out to be the case.

Oh, yes.  In case this wasn't mentioned before: Ubuntu is completely 
free in at least two common definitions of the term (not costing 
anything and not subject to the control of another).  Although a third 
one might be applicable as well, depending upon your opinion of 
Microsoft: "relieved from or lacking something and especially something 
unpleasant or burdensome </free/ from pain>".

Paul