My Ubuntu Desktop and Virtual Box

All distros(operating systems of which there are more than 100) come in two flavors; Gnome and KDE. The major difference is in the aesthetics; in the look and feel. Most people say Gnome is more professional than KDE but it is a matter of personal preference, But then everybody knows Mackintosh is by far the better os than windows pc(Microsoft). Yet windows machines dominate the markets. You can have both Gnome & KDE installed together and switch back and forth whenever you feel like it. The links below give a detailed explanation with screen shots.
www.psychocats.net/Ubuntu/kdegnome

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060611212151AAV5fLx

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/kdegnome

Installing Ubuntu Hardy Heron (version 8.04)
All Linux distros now come as downloadable live cds. It is advisable to download Ubuntu Hardy Gnome live cd. After burning the cd as an .iso image, and inserting the cd in cd- rom restart the computer. The CD will not install. It will allow you to explore the operating system. If you like the os you can then install it. It is advisable to read the following thoroughly before attempting to install.

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Hardy

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-8.04-lts-hardy-heron

How do you know you will like Ubuntu Hardy Heron?

The Ubuntu developers love to give their OS names like feisty fawn, Gutsy gibbon, and Hardy Heron. The next version is called Intrepid Ibex. Test driving an Ubuntu Operating System is really easy. Just go to http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download.
If your computer can handle 64-bit version, select that version otherwise select standard version. Choose a download site, and click on start download. Save on desktop. This will download a Live CD (.ISO) on your desktop.
How to burn a live CD

If you currently have Windows xp or 2000 or windows vista, you will need an ISO burner called Infra Recorder, from http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/ Download this application and install it. Insert a blank CD in your CD/DVD drive. If auto- run appears, click cancel. Open Infra Recorder. When a window opens, click on actions. Choose Burn Image from the drop-down list and then select the Ubuntu CD which has been downloaded on your desktop. Then click OK. That's it, you are now armed with a copy of an Ubuntu Hardy Heron (version 8.04).

What now?

You are ready to test drive Ubuntu and explore the world of Linux community. Just pop the live CD into your CD/DVD drive and reboot (restart) your computer. Worry not; your windows operating system will not come to any harm. The CD will not touch your hard disk. When Ubuntu is loaded or starts your desk - top will look like this.



Ubuntu Hardt Heron MY UBUNTU DESKTOP

The red panels forming the borders are the ones I have added. You get a top and bottom panels in grey. You can change the colours and also add new panels by putting the pointer on the panel and right clicking the mouse and then changing the properties.

The best way to learn to handle Linux operating systems is to install any of the distros( I am partial to Ubuntu and Fedora; the Gnome desktop is ideal for some one new to Linux) in the virtual machine. I find the Virtual Box easiest to use. Just google virtual box and down load the windows edition of Virtual Box version 2, and the Manual that comes with it. You will need Adobe acrobat reader to open the manual. I have banished the Microsoft's Vista Home Premium (that came with my PC) to virtual box because I only use it to edit this website. I prefer Ubuntu Hardy Heron. You can see the two operating systems in the screen shots on my website.
http://www.bhupendra.me.uk