Ubuntu in Action

Since its release in 2004, the open-source, Linux-based operating system Ubuntu has received a lot of positive feedback as a free alternative to Windows and Mac OS X, having garnered a reputation for being fast, stable, and well-supported by the Linux community. Yet while its developers reassure the public that Ubuntu is designed for end users, many still don’t know what it’s like in practice and are reluctant to try it.

A screenshot from an Ubuntu screencast.

To show what Ubuntu is capable of, Canonical, the company that sponsors and offers commercial support for Ubuntu, produced a series called Month of Screencasts: 30 screencasts to demonstrate how to use the operating system. Some of the most useful ones include:

• Intro to Linux: If you’re looking for less technical information, this one is a good way to learn what Linux is, its history, and how it’s used.
• Tour of the Ubuntu Desktop: Shows how the Ubuntu desktop looks and feels. A great way to understand what using Ubuntu is like from the desktop perspective.
• Tour of the Ubuntu Applications: Walks through the default applications that come with Ubuntu, offering brief demonstrations of how they work. Familiar applications include Firefox and OpenOffice.

Ubuntu could be the right choice for some organizations, but it’s not a decision to be made lightly. Read TechSoup's Introduction to Ubuntu after you’ve watched a few of the screencasts to learn more about Ubuntu, and if you’re interested download a CD to burn so you can try the live version.