Let me start by saying I have never been unhappy with Microsoft Windows. Over the years I have worked with Windows from 3.1, 95, NT, Millennium Edition, 2000, XP and now Vista. With the exception of Millennium EditionI have always been happy with the product(s).

Here is where I get into some of the bad…

Over the past 5 years I have increasingly gotten into the DIY (do-it-yourself) PC mode. More and more when I upgrade I now need to call Microsoft support to ensure them that yes I do own a Windows license and am in fact just upgrading or rebuilding my machine. Although I have yet to be infected or harmed in any way by a lapse of security on Microsoft’s part I cannot ignore the fact that their security is increasingly coming under fire and has had numerous flaws exposed.

As someone who works with Internet technologies I’m constantly being exposed to open source software and tools, and am continually amazed at what great quality software exists for free….with that being said I have been spending a few months lurking on the Ubuntu Linux boards. Now with the recent launch of Vista I’m looking at at least a few hundred dollars to upgrade, and will lose my XP license as a part of that upgrade process. Well that made the choice much easier for me…..

The time has come to give Linux a fair try. So on Sunday February 18th, I backed up all my important data to an external hard disc, burned the Ubuntu 6.06 Dapper Drake ISO release to CD and then wiped my drive. Low and behold the Linux trial is about to begin…

Stay tuned for my trials and tribulations…