================================== Over the past dozen years I've tried several Linux versions and found them difficult and temperamental. Ubuntu is quite different from other versions. I first tried it (Live CD) about a year ago and it found all my hardware immediately and without any problems. I then did a full install as 'dual boot' with Win2000 and again it worked perfectly first time. The only exception was that it failed to operate my wireless network card despite the fact that it was found and recognised. I've since repeated the process on my other three computers (2 x MSI / 2 x Asus based), again without any problems except the wireless network cards which isn't a problem as I have a wired network which works perfectly with Ubuntu.
I'm now in the last stages of final transfer / conversion of old material from Windows based software to fully Linux based software and I will probably make Linux my only OS when this process is complete.
I would suggest that anyone with an interest in a free OS should try the 'Live' Ubuntu CD to see how well it works. It will be slow but will show how well the full version will work. Dual boot is always an option and Ubuntu manages this very well.
Cic.