I was a complete beginner when I began playing around with Ubuntu Linux about three and a half years ago. I started with Version 6.06.1 (Dapper Drake) and recently migrated to the newest version, Lucid Lynx 10.04.  It's installed on what started as an old computer running on my home network.

I've upgraded that "old" computer a bit since I first threw it together. Linux does not require state of the art processors and gobs of ram.  I believe Ubuntu will run just fine with 256 MB. 

I built a Ubuntu Server that runs Ubuntu 8.04 Server Edition that serves music that I've ripped from my entire collection of CD's. I also have a few movies on the machine. The server also backs up files on our home network that includes a couple of Windows computers, an Ubuntu laptop and a Macbook Pro laptop.  

I find myself using my Linux machine most of the time now. With the addition of Sun Virtual Box running Windows XP for the few Windows only apps I use this is the most perfect computer I've ever owned. Ubuntu 9.10 is by far the best version of Linux I've ever run. Anyway, the specs of my Ubuntu desktop computer are as follows:

• Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L motherboard FSB 1333 MHz
• Intel Core 2 Duo 3 GHz CPU E8400
• 250 gig Seagate SATA 7200 rpm hard drive
• EVGA Geforce GT 240 1 GB DDR3 Nvidia Video Card
• 4 GB G.Skill PC2-8500 DDR2-1066 Dual Channel Ram
• Onboard 10/100/1000 NIC
• Lite On CD/DVD RW Combo Drive
• Microsoft Wireless optical mouse
• 22" Acer X223W Widescreen LCD monitor
• Klipsch speakers
• Networked HP5 printer
• Cooler Master Centurion 5 case
• Thermaltake Purepower 500W power supply
• Networked with a Ubuntu Linux server running Ubuntu Server 8.04 Version

Ubuntu Software Center

Ubuntu now includes the Software Center. It's now easy for anyone to install programs from the Ubuntu repositories. Just search the categories and click to install. Couldn't be easier!

Ubuntu One

Also new is Ubuntu One. Ubuntu gives all users 2 gigabytes on remote storage on their servers for FREE. Additional storage can be purchased. You can back up any sensitive files you might have to this secure remote storage.  Places>Ubuntu One.  Looks like a local folder.  Just drag and drop.

AWN (Avant Window Manager)

If you happen to like the looks of Apple's Application Dock you can have your very own dock in Ubuntu.  If you've seen Apples dock you will noticed the similarities.  AWN is an add-on for Linux that is available from Ubuntu through the repositories.  It's highly configurable and actually offers more options than Apple's dock. To install the path is System>Administration>Synaptic. You can also install via the new Ubuntu Software Center.

If you'd like it to start when you log on add it to your Sessions menu.  The path to Sessions is System>Preferences>Sessions.  You'll get a window that looks something like this;

As you can see, I've already added AWN to my Sessions menu. To add a new program, simply click the Add button.  A second window opens up.

Just fill in the Name and Command as shown and when you restart your system AWN will automatically start. The same process is followed for any program you want to start up when you boot.

Conky Hardware Manager

Conky is a lightweight hardware manager that runs on your desktop. It's available either in the Ubuntu Software Center or in Synaptic. It's highly configurable. Like AWN, it can be configured to auto-start at boot. Here's the link to the Conky homepage with much more information.

Sun Virtualbox

Sun Virtualbox is a program that allows you to run other operating systems on your system within what is called a virtual box.  I am currently running Windows XP Pro. This website is done with Microsoft Front Page I am able to do updates to this site from Linux running Windows in a virtual box. For more on Sun Virtualbox please follow this link. There is a version of Virtualbox supplied by Ubuntu in their repositories but I've found the newer version directly from Sun to be superior.  Just make sure you get the version that matches your Ubuntu release. You can download the users manual in pdf form from here.

Ubuntu Brainstorm

Brainstorm is a new site where everyone can submit and vote on ideas for Ubuntu. It's inspired by Dell's Ideastorm. By default, you see the ideas submitted by the community sorted by popularity. Each idea is accompanied by arrows so you can vote it up or down (you have to log in first). You can only click once per idea. So this is an easy way to submit ideas and see what people are really wanting.

Network Printer Set-Up

I had trouble setting up my HP 5P network printer that runs on a HP Jetdirect 300X print server.  I was able to fix this with the help of some folks on the Ubuntu Users Forum. I'm running Ubuntu 8.10. To start with, under "Printing"  I checked "detect LAN printers" and then add new printer. Then I selected UNIX printers LPD.  The host is the fixed address of my printer 192.168.1.XXX, for queue name I entered the name of my print server, HP Jetdirect 300X.  I then selected my HP printer in the next dialogue box, then applied.  Works perfectly!

Ubuntu Tweak

OpenDNS

OpenDNS is a service providing free, fast name servers. By default, most users are using the name server of their ISP. These name servers can be slow. I wholeheartedly recommended using OpenDNS to speed up your internet. Not just for Linux but for any operating system. The service also provides phishing blocking. Complete installation instructions provided at OpenDNS.

Want to Play Online Poker in Linux?

The best software I've found is Poker Stars. It's runs great. It installs and runs with Wine. You'll need to have Wine installed on your system. In Ubuntu, Wine is available through the Add/Remove Software applet or Synaptic.