So I posted about the new version of Ubuntu Linux thinking everyone knew what I was talking about. Then my Father asked me, what exactly is Ubuntu. Well, that got me thinking that there are probably a great deal more users/readers that have the same question. As such, I will begin a 3 part series about: What is GNU/Linux, What it does for you the home user, How it’s beneficial to you the home user (complete with a full debunking about TCO [Total Cost of Ownership]), Why you should use it and why it may be difficult to use. For a few details about Linux in the corporate environment check out this article on TechRepublic describing the benefits of Linux.

Also, Jenn’s birthday is on Thursday, don’t forget! Her birthday list is outdated so email me for ideas. I’m sure a few things on her list would be alright, but I have no clue what.

Finally… My birthday is in a few months. I’m also going back to school in the fall to finish up my degree in animation. Unfortunately, my laptop broke recently - the hinge on the screen cracked so my monitor is going to blow soon (it’s already fading) - and it’s going to be difficult to get all of my work done while commuting every day so I need to get a new one. So for my birthday, disregard everything on my list. I need money. Deneiro. I doubt I’ll end up getting enough so that I can get a new laptop, but it’ll be a start. So please. Help me out here. I would appreciate it. Just so you’ve got an idea about what I’m looking at for a laptop, I’m looking at the 2.5GHz MacbookPro (NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT w/ 512MB) with the 4Gb of ram instead of 2. Why do I need that power? Well, Maya (which is the animation software we use at school) needs a bare minimum of 2Gb in it’s system requirements. Why not get a Macbook? Well it doesn’t have a video card with OpenGL capabilities, which is also a requirement for Maya. So while it’s expensive and it sucks, it’s unfortunately the version I need. I can get a discount on it from my school, which saves me about $400, but it’s still expensive. So, that’s what I want. =)

I’ll start work on the series later this week or next week, so look out for it!

That’s how many day’s I have left until the new Ubuntu releases! It’s gonna be sweet! Ahhhh! Hopefully it’ll be as great as their last release was. On the day of the release I believe that I’ll not only redo the server - with an older version, not the newest version - but I’ll slap that new Ubuntu on the lappie. I’ve got some prime space awaiting it’s arrival, which is the only reason why it’s not on there already. Anyhow. If you are tired of paying for software and want a legal alternative… Go grab Ubuntu. It’s a full featured OS that has all the security enhancements Windows doesn’t with all the eye candy that Mac’s have. You’ll get a word processor that’ll be compliant with Microsoft’s .doc extension and be able to save it that way as well. You’ll have one of the best web browsers out there. And you’ll have the freedom to choose what software you wish to have installed and what you don’t. No unnecessary services, no idiotic software. Just a pure OS that has you at the forefront of it’s thinking. So with no further ado, wait the couple of days and go grab a copy of Ubuntu.