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For those keeping track of new/overhauled operating systems there’s Microsoft’s Windows 7, Apple’s OS X Snow Leopard and the just-released version 9.1 of Ubuntu Linux.

Linux is a free operating system based on UNIX. It’s named after computer scientist and the inventor of the Linux OS kernel, Linus Torvalds.

Linux is open sourced and community developed. In very simple terms that means you can use the software for free as well as improve upon it – as long as you share those improvements with everyone else.

In the past decade and a half Linux has matured into a stable and competitive computer operating platform rivaling the “big guys”. There are a number of different brands or distributions of Linux that are available. I’ve tried many. I’ve also found that I’ve had tremendous success using Ubuntu (a South African word which roughly translates into “community, sharing and generosity.”

I can go into much more depth about the workings of Ubuntu but what you really need to know is this: According to Wikipedia:

Ubuntu is an “up-to-date, stable operating system for the average user, with a strong focus on usability and ease of installation. Ubuntu has been selected by readers of desktoplinux.com as the most popular Linux distribution for the desktop, claiming approximately 30% of Linux desktop installations in both 2006 and 2007.”

I like it because it just plain works. And, it works well on older computers. Early versions of Linux may have sometimes had problems with certain PC and PC components. But, I’ve been using Ubuntu for years now and it NEVER has a problem with anything. As a matter of fact, it seems to be compatible with every computer I’ve tried it on, laptop, desktop or Netbook.

Ubuntu Linux refreshes and updates the OS every six months. In between it prompts you to make minor updates every week or two. The newest full version is Ubuntu 9.1 codenamed Karmic Koala (take that Snow Leopard!) The next version (Ubuntu 10) has been codenamed Lucid Lynx.

Ubuntu 9.10 comes with just about everything you need to work and play on a PC – from Web browser (Mozilla Firefox 3.5), office applications (Microsoft Office-compatible OpenOffice.org 3.1), email, chat, VoIP phone, photo, music and video programs plus more than 400 games to play. You name it – it’s probably there. There’s even the Ubuntu Software Center to download and install even more programs. Remember, all of this is free of charge.

Ubuntu now has its head in the clouds. Version 9.10 comes with 2GB of available online document/program storage in the new Ubuntu Cloud. Ubuntu’s parent company, Canonical, rents space on Amazon.com’s EC2 cloud and provides every user with a small amount of free storage. They also can help users with larger storage needs (including enterprise users) with lots more space at reasonable prices. Canonical also makes money by provides Ubuntu users with consulting, training and support services for a fee.

Ubuntu comes in 32-bit and 64-bit desktop, server and even Netbook editions. All free.

The best part is that you can download the OS and try it before permanently installing it. You download the files, burn a CD/DVD then run it in your computer to play with Ubuntu. Then, if you like it you install it. Press a button or two and the CD/DVD does the rest. It couldn’t be simpler.

If you can’t burn a CD or DVD they’ll send you one for free. Once your request is accepted it takes 5-6 weeks for the disc to arrive from Europe.

I run Ubuntu on a number of machines and can tell you that it works perfectly and is worry free. Upgrading from the last version took more than an hour (download and install) but well worth the time. My old (ancient) IBM ThinkPad now runs twice as fast. And so does the Netbook Remix version I just installed on my Lenovo. I love the new Remix desktop look as well.

You do have another operating choice. Ubuntu. Highly recommended.