In the section of available free software for the version I'm currently runnin, Ubuntu 10.04, there are 32,392 different free software packages available in a section known as "synaptic packages manager" JG. Of that figure I have 1888 installed in my "hot rod i7" machine I'm writin this from. This is more than any of the other 4 machines here at the casa have loaded/installed. Each separate machine has its own function and reason for being, so each has different software requirements/needs, though all the others have much less software installed.

These numbers are somewhat misleading though as these are software packages and not all are actual programs per se, though some indeed are. Sometimes in installing a new program it will also need to install other "software packages" to satisfy various "software dependencies" for all its individual software package components to work. However, when you select a new software title to install it just pops up with a list of the other packages that will also be required (if necessary) and asks if you want to download/install those as well, which you simply click a button to affirm, then click on an "apply all changes" button and it's off to the races as it will then download and install all the new software for you without any further need for you to do anything else

Other than a very few minor differences outside the difference between the program names between Ubuntu and MS-XP,Vista or 7, it's very similar to run ... and of course NO MORE NEED TO RUN, NOR CONTINUALLY UPDATE THAT DAMNED ANTI-VIRUS CRAP EVER AGAIN

BTW, to any and all that would like to try out Ubuntu without even having to actually install it at all (a capability NO windows operating system offers!), just go to [releases.ubuntu.com] (and yes there's a .686 version for anyone wanting to run the 64 bit version too) tell it to DL the live/install CD, burn off a copy to a blank CD (it's just under 700MB, so yeah, it will fit on a blank CD, no need to even use a blank DVD disc), pop the CD you just burned into your CD or DVD drive and reboot your machine. When it comes back on you'll need to go into the BIOS settings, tell it to boot from the CD or DVD drive you are using, hit F10, then hit enter after prompted to do so and let 'er eat. It takes several minutes for it to boot from the CD but it will come up to a desktop screen where you'll be able to use all the base OS programs, get on the web with Fire Fox etc., just as if you had actually installed it. BTW, for some screwy reason it usually will give a pop up message on the desktop sayin it can't run Ubuntu, but not to worry, just hit enter, wait another minute or 2 and it will come back to a blank desktop and be ready to use.I wish they'd fix this bug since it problee scares off a lot of people from tryin to use Ubuntu, but with it bein free, how much bitchin can I reasonably do anyway, right?

This way you can take a look around at the loaded software, see what other software is available, surf, etc. and see if it's something you would be interested in installing.

If, after you check it out, you decide it's not for you, eject the CD, reboot again, go back into the BIOS once more and tell it to boot from your hard drive that has Windows on it, hit F10, then enter and your machine will be just the same as it was before, no harm, no foul

Also: if you want to install Ubuntu and still run keep your existing Winblows BS, you can do this also. It requires one change during the install process, but other than that, there's nothing else to do but a typical install, which BTW is MUCH faster and friendlier than Windows install/reinstall. It takes between 20mins. and and hour to install Ubuntu and once you do you'll more than likely already have more overall machine capabilities with the base operating system than what your MS BS gave you before and as an added bonus, so long as you're connected to the net with an ethernet cable from a DSL,Cable or satellite co. there's no configuration necessary for your internet. As soon as you're runnin it as a Live CD or once Ubuntu is installed, if you have an internet signal comin in from your ethernet cable, you're instantly online with nothing else to do but Njoy the ride

If you are on dial-up, sorry (quasi), but settin that kinda connection up IS a major PITA as I hear it and if your internet comes in through a wireless card you have to insure the card itself is linux compatible and works outta the box for ya. There's a complete online listing of compatible wireless cards, so if that's what you would be using that has to be figured in beforehand as well to get ya on the web with either the live CD or once it's installed.

Anyone with any further questions can hit me at mrkim75040@yahoo.com. (<-and be sure to remove the damned colon in the addy!) I don't check that one as often as I should, but if you send me a PM here and lemmekno I have email, I'll go take a look and see if I can help ya