Yesterday a new version of Ubuntu, a flavour of Linux, was released and has the code name Hardy Heron. So last night Gerald, a wizened Linux user, helped me install Ubuntu as a dual boot, i.e. allowing me to choose to boot into my existing Windows XP operating system or the new Ubuntu one. In way of thanks (as well as for our ale education) we tried a strong ale called Thomas Hardy. Strong as in 11.7% ABV.

It is an aquired taste, at first different to what one is accustomed, only later becoming fully appreciated. And Ubuntu is much the same.

‘Dual boot’-ing allows me to continue uninterupted yet explore Ubuntu, learning as I go and slowly migrate across. I intend to become a Linux user, say by August, dropping the dual boot in preference for virtualisation. With virtualisation I can run the Windows XP operating system (the ligite copy that came with my machine as Rock ship their laptops with the CDs) from within Ubuntu (!) and still use Windows software that I cannot do without, mostly engineering related.

I guess moving to Ubuntu from XP is a push/pull thing. I don’t like where Windows have gone with Vista and doubt their next venture will be any better than XP, which is now looking dated, and Ubuntu is looking hot with it visual appearance and effects (such as having four desktops that spin on a cube) and access lots of exciting and free apps to do almost anything I want. Also generally I am becoming an open source fan.

I could have gone with Apple, and think my fianceé might in a few years which would be suitable for her photography/email/web use, but with the engineering software I use it could be a pain. That and it is expensive.

I have hours of geeky fun exploring Hardy Heron and turning it into the work horse I have high expectations for it to be. As a start this post is mostly* written from Ubuntu (well Firefox 3) making use of the Gimp image manipulation software akin to Photoshop.

Later

*I have yet to get an FTP application setup…