This Ubuntu OS thread would be good for the Linux OS section to make it easier to find. We found it though.
Linux is a good hobby and can keep you busy. It's good to have a Linux guru in your networking group if you want to use it. The guru can help you get around in Linux especially with driver issues and getting software not on the original install. FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) is spread by Microsoft about Linux as you can see in
this recent online article. Ubuntu, or any Linux version, will not put Microsoft out of business because so many schools, websites and businesses require MS for access to their systems.
Any OS must have a file system (the format of the hard drive) and drivers (the software that actually runs the hardware). Since *all* OSes need that, none of the OSes are a problem, even Ubuntu Linux - as long as you can live with the Linux format (there are several) and have the drivers for your hardware (some hardware does not have a driver). You have to dual boot because MS and Linux leave each other alone. It's kind of like Apple and MS file systems and drivers/apps.
Ubuntu Linux can read the Windows NTFS file system but not write to it without problems. Ubuntu Linux has the drivers for my Asus 901 and 1000HE so it runs well. I put Ubuntu on a 4GB series 6 SD card and boot from it. I can then read the NTFS files to copy them to a flash drive. That's kind of handy if my Windows OS won't boot and I need to get data off the drive.
Ubuntu has a number of apps like a browser, word processor, and puzzle/card games. Just make sure you get the drivers for the wifi module, ethernet, DVD and other gear in your computer or attached to your computer like cameras and scanners. That's why there is a list of computers that have been found compatible with Linux. There is the same kind of list for computers compatible with Apple. If you are on the list, you will have fewer problems. If you're not on the list, Linux will keep you busy.
