[Linux] Do you Ubuntu? LiveCD Howto

Ubuntu has grown from strength to strength over the years and linux is fast becoming, if not already, a viable alternative to windows or mac for the average user.

How do you spend most of your time on the computer?
89% Facebook/Social Media, 7% Email/Chat, 3.7% Browsing and 0.3% Excel/Word/Powerpoint... Linux can do that.

Tinkerers should not be Linux haters.
Hack away! Just don't fail. That having been said, if you like to hack and tinker then your Linux system is going to need some extra love when you have borked it. Hackers and tinkerers you have been warned- no names *cough* Ro, Kal, Phil.

Linux?
If you are interested in Linux but have not yet given it a go then now might be a good time to head on over to http://www.ubuntu.com/ and have a look.

Live CD
The live cd feature boots Ubuntu on your laptop or desktop without having to install over your current OS.

1. Following steps 1&2 on this page to download and burn linux to disc:http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
2. Ensure BIOS is set to boot from CD as the first entry otherwise the CD will not be checked before your OS is booted.
3. Insert the disc and on the ubuntu boot menu, select "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer".
4. Enjoy.
Note: Although a LiveCD session is a good way to demo Ubuntu without making changes to a machine, a LiveCD will always be slower than a proper installion that runs directly from a hard-drive (because a CD will always be physically slower than a hard drive). LiveCD sessions are good for:
-a quick 'demo' on a machine before installing/upgrading Ubuntu
-checking if the hardware works as expected
-seeing if you like the look & feel of the distro

More info on LiveCD: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD

Summary

Pro's
------
Linux is far more secure than windows.
Linux is free: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download/

Con's
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It needs a little bit of love to get going properly but then so do all computers.

Any questions or comments? Give me a shout.
Sam