Ubuntu Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Linux is based on the Unix operating system which always had an emphasis on free, community based development. The Linux re-write of Unix has security built in at the lowest level, not 'tagged-on' at the end in the way that Windows/DOS operates. As a reult there are currently no known virus threats in any of the Linux environments. Many say that there could never be but what is certain is that viruses cannot be as intrusive or damaging as they are within Windows. There are many other Linux based operating systems available, all free, but Ubuntu continually offers what is considered the best mix of hardware compatibility and software reliability. Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates. Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world. Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer. What can you expect from a Ubuntu environment? Any Linux environment will promise you significant improvements over Windows: - Increased security (No viruses or spware) - Increased efficiency (20-30% improvement in performance) - Increased reliabilty (will not lock-up or need continual re-boots) Add to this the free business and other application software and you make cost savings in 3 ways: - Software (no operating system or applications software licence fees) - Hardware (a lower spec machine will do the same job) - Support Who uses it? The vast majority of websites run on Linux systems because of the security and reliabilty offered. Who else? Well how about Google, Dell, HP and Asus, that's who ! Google sponsor many Linux projects (well they would wouldn't they, just to be pain in Microsoft's side). Dell use Ubuntu on an increasing number of their laptop ranges and have just started to offer Ubuntu on their desktops. Recent figures suggest that 1 in 3 of Dell laptop sales are for Ubuntu. There is every reason to believe that Desktop sales will go the same way over the next 12 months.