Ubuntu.

It is 10:30 in the evening, but I have managed successfully to install a version of Linux called Ubuntu on my PC. I am not quite done adding all the fine touches to it yet, but the majority of the work is done and I was smart enough to print out all of the instructions before I installed the CD, which wiped out everything that was on the computer before that. I had also copied all of my bookmarks and printed all my email addresses and I still have to enter all of them.

Ubuntu has a lot of built in programs, so you can look through a whole variety of them and add them as you feel the need or remove them as you see fit. There are several choices of the same sort of programs, so whatever suits you best, you can try.

I got the email program to work. That was my main concern and I have two email addresses and I got them both to work, so that is good. It receives all the mail for both addresses in one place, so there is no hopping back and forth like there was before.

I wasn't sure when I got the CD in the mail yesterday, if I was going to go through with it, but then I had a memory stick and I started putting a bunch of artwork on it, and when I ran out of space I went to the computer shop and bought another one and put the rest of the stuff that I wanted to save on that one. Once I had done that, my mind was made up, and in between walking the Überhund a few times, I installed the program.

It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it was going to be. I mean it wasn't anything traumatic. The sky didn't come tumbling down all of the sudden. A lot of junk that was on Windows is gone now, but I won't miss it. A lot of it is not necessary anymore, like the virus scanner and the add aware program that looked for cookies. I think that, as I get used to it, I will discover which extras I want and which I don't. It will be fun trying out different things. I am also happy to leave some baggage behind me that I felt was adding unnecessary weight.

So, I'm off to a clean start and I'll sit here until the wee hours of the night and add all sorts of information and photographs and what not. It will be fun and I don't have to go anywhere in the morning. And by the way, the Ubuntu CD is free, it costs nothing and no shipping charges either. Mine came from the UK.

Well, now I'm off to add bookmarks to my favorites. Then maybe I wil do email addresses and maybe do the installation CD for my camera. We'll see how far I get.

Ubuntu to you and a good night too.

Ciao...