Hello everyone,

I'm Carson and just wanted to say hello. I am interested in Linux OS with the hope that it is a better and stable alternative to Windows Os. I have had several bad experiences with my laptop that ran XP, it crashed frequently and ultimately died on me . I am now contemplating getting a new laptop that will run Ubuntu. Since I'm not tech savvy, could anyone help with the basics for migrating to Linux OS. For instance, is it as easy as just installing the Ubuntu OS in the laptop (say a Dell Vostro 1310)and it will run smoothly. What sort of issues should I be aware of before installing a Linux OS in a new laptop. Thanks a lot.

regards,
Carson

Hello.
Well first save your data :P.
after that usually it's best to have a book around you (about ubuntu).
You can get one from www.knowfree.net
The book is not only for the installation procedure (it's a very simple procedure) but also for installing packages, setting up the desktop, etc etc.
You can do very well without the book ..but will save you from posting very soon on this forum :P
Ubuntu will be very good for you...lots of packages easy to install by Synaptic Package manager, simple and powerful Administration and Preferences tools, good hardware support, very very good support forum and documentation.

As an application programmer my platform has to be rock solid. XP was fine for me, but if you had problems with XP vista will kill you.

As an application programmer my platform has to be rock solid. XP was fine for me, but if you had problems with XP vista will kill you. I just got a Dell Vostro Duo core. I tried Vista, there was no way to make it stable (with vista), recover it, or even general use, much less programming applications, data extracts,....
I moving forward with Ubuntu on the Vostro. I'll keep my old XP machine (Insperion) until I find full replacement functionality. But MS has trashed my environment for the last time.

LuckyDog