So I’ve decided to try and go completely open source. I’ve installed Ubuntu on my home desktop. I will be using it to run my home business and do all my development work.
Installing Ubuntu was a breeze. Simply insert the CD, boot it up and double-click in the Install icon. Very few questions are asked and the important hardware was all autodected successfully. The only tricky part was partitioning the hard drive as I wanted to keep my existing Windows XP installation functioning (still not sure if I can move over completely). It also reads and auto-mounts all the existing NTFS partitions.
Now I begin the process of finding and evaluating all the necessary replacement programs to what I was using in the Windows environment.
I tell you one thing already… after years and years of starting at Windows, it’s nice to have something new to look at. 
The other thing I LOVE already is the simple Add / Remove Applications utility. Want an FTP client? Start that utility and it’s a few clicks away. The list of immediately available, free, open source applications is impressive.
Ubuntu rocks! I’m glad that you put it up there. You didn’t mention anything about Beryl though! Or even Looking Glass! I think we need another post for both of those.
Ubuntu is cool.
Ubuntu is better than (as my 4 year old said) U-windows!