Ubuntu 9.10 Released

The newest version of Ubuntu has just been released. It’s an operating system like Windows 7 and OS X that you can use on most computers, including older computers. And you can try it without installing anything! See below.

Free(dom)
A big difference between Ubuntu and other systems is that it’s free: both in cost and in freedom. It’s so-called free software and there is a lot of idealism involved. Everybody has access to the “blueprints” and can change the system. Including for example schools, governments or companies that want to make their own version and distribute or sell it. Fortunately there’s an increasing number of companies that sees oportunities based on a healthy self-interest.

User-friendly
The system is getting more and more user-friendly. In many aspects it’s easier to use than Windows because you’ll never have to insert a CD to install hardware. In most cases the system just recognizes that you connect new hardware and will use it. Also, you never have to re-install it because a virus infects it or maybe it simply gets too slow over time. If a new version comes out, you just press “Upgrade” and wait.

The system ships with a large number of applications (many are installed by default). In fact, if you use Firefox (free web browser), OpenOffice.org (free office suite, similar to Microsoft Office) or Gimp (image processing, like Photoshop) you already know some of the them. Starting with the newest version, Ubuntu is introducing something like the Apple App Store where you can find and install new applications such as Skype (and pay if the application costs anything).

GNU/Linux
Even if you’ve never used Ubuntu or another GNU/Linux distribution (Ubuntu is based on the Linux kernel), you’ve used that kind of system a lot. Most websites run on Linux because it’s so reliable and secure, including very big websites.

Support for Netbooks
Apart from progress on many things, the newest version supports netbook computers much better than the previous one. It’s called Netbook Remix and it’s really a special interface designed for the small screens they have. Here you can see what it looks like (the version for desktops looks different):

Ubuntu 9.10 Netbook Remix

Want to try it?
So, if you want to give it a try you can go to Ubuntu.com and download the CD. If you insert it and restart the computer you can use Ubuntu as if it’s installed, without changing anything on your computer (if you restart your computer any changes you made will be lost). Or if you like you can really install it.

In Windows it’s also possible to install Ubuntu as a program with WUBI. That way changes will be saved but Windows will just stay where it is.

I can recommend using Ubuntu and only Ubuntu to anybody, except to people who really want to play games on their computer. In that case it’s better to use Windows (as well). Personally I’m using this kind of system for more than 10 years already.
p.s. Another new feature is better hardware integration. It warned me that I have to replace my hard disc because it will fail soon. Good to know! Windows doesn’t provide such warnings (OS X does).