[continued from part1]

Ubuntu Linux: Everyone should try Linux at least once in their lives. If you have an old PC or laptop which just doesnt have the grunt to run Windows anymore - install Linux and give it a fresh lease of life.

If you have a PC or Laptop and use it mainly for surfing the web, checking email along with occasional WORD type document then you have got to be crazy if your not using Linux.

It's FREE! It's Fast. It's Stable. It's Virus Resistant. It has office pre-installed for free. It runs web cams, skype other messengers. It's regularly automatically updated (just like Windows-Update). Did I mention its free?

Ignore any misconceptions you have may have and go and download a copy of the excellent Ubuntu installer from http://wubi-installer.org

I really, really, really cant describe how great this Ubuntu installer is.

Assume your running windows this is how amazingly simple it is:

• Download it the Ubuntu automatic installer
• Click OPEN to Run it
• It says "do you want me to automatically install, partition your disk and give you a choice of operating systems at boot time"
• You say "Yes please"
• You wander off to another room to watch some commercial filled nonsense on TV for 15 minutes
• You come back and notice that it now asks you whether you want to run Windows or Ubuntu at boot time
• Select Windows and find that it works exactly the same it did before
• Select Ubuntu and spend a few minutes following the prompts for user name, network name, etc. and then it will end up running. Wireless works first time. Audio works first time. Graphics are perfect.

Wow!

Ubuntu looks like Windows, operates like Windows, feels faster than Windows and doesnt need a virus checker (and comes with Openoffice, Firefox and a bunch of other neat software all for free)

Ubuntu Linux really is that good!

Anyway, now I've stopped twitching... back to the original story...

The Dell400SC Poweredge certainly seems like Ubuntu and everything worked straight off the bat - all drivers loaded fine, graphics good, sound loud, network and performance good.

But, trying to get Linux to talk to an Xbox360.. ouch.. it was like pulling teeth...

I briefly had a play with Mythbuntu (but thats another blog entirely) but it was just too fiddly for my needs.

Lets re-iterate my original requirements:

...it's time to play with it and see how I'm going to use it to store all my Music and serve my other media (pictures, movies etc..) into my home wireless network.

It cant be that hard can it?

In desperation I decided to download and try one more operating system

and Boy am I glad I did...

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