After installation, I connected to the Internet and Ubuntu informed me that
there were 34 updates that I easily downloaded and installed with one click.
Unfortunately, my laptop uses a Broadcom wireless device, and Broadcom
refuses to issue Linux drivers. Ubuntu recognized my wireless device and
suggested a driver that was supposed to work, but it didn't. I did some
research on the Web and I think I found the directions for getting a
Broadcom wireless device to work, but I haven't tried it yet.
Installing and uninstalling programs (which are all free) is very simple in Ubuntu. When you click "Install Programs"
the screen above appears. Programs which are already installed have a checkmark in the box next to them. To install
a program simply check the box, and to uninstall one simply uncheck the box. Click "Apply Changes" at the bottom
and programs will be installed/uninstalled.
Installing drivers works pretty much the same way. Ubuntu will find and suggest drivers
(when you are connected to the Internet), and you simply click the "Download and
Install" button.
Ubuntu
The latest release of Ubuntu (Linux), version 8.10 came out last month. I installed it on my old laptop. Installation is very simple. Ubuntu boots from the CD and you can see how it looks, feels and runs on your computer. If you like it and want to install it, you simply click on the install icon on the top left of the screen. It asks if you want to install alongside Windows (so both operating systems are available) or in place of Windows so the machine is pure Ubuntu (which is what I did).