So far...so good..

[stevejr]

I played with the "live" capability for a little while and liked it, so I installed to my second hdd. Ubuntu has different ways to get to more or less the same applications that Windows has and it will certainly take some time to get familiar with where everything is, but I really like it so far.

And faster...lots faster than IE....opening web sites with Firefox is very fast, and I am doing this thru Ubuntu.

I haven't had a chance to try much else...like the cd/dvd burning program and other stuff.

If I can do the basic kinds of things with Ubuntu that I currently do thru Windows....then I hopefully have found a way to save $140.00 on an O/S, but I will have to see how all the different programs work to determine that.



But...I am wondering about security. Do I still need a firewall ( am running behind a router), anti-virus, the other basic defenses that most of us have for Windows?

[Teknophobia]

Here's a good place to start: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=510812

TEk

[jmtjet]

But...I am wondering about security. Do I still need a firewall ( am running behind a router), anti-virus, the other basic defenses that most of us have for Windows?

I have the ClamAV and Firestarter(firewall) running just for some extra security. Neither is totally necessary. I have ClamAV installed just so I don't pass on windows viruses to my Windows running friends via email. If you want to install either or both of these look for them in your Synaptic package manager. (System>administration>Synaptic package manager) Enter your root password and use the search function to find them. Then mark them(one at a time)for installation. They will run silently in the background, you won't even know they're there. If they aren't present in your package manager you'll need to add the universal repository.

http://www.ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory/components

http://www.ubuntux.org/node/71

Hope this helps. Have fun.

[stevejr]

Thank you...both of you...I will check out those links and do some learning....

I had a frustrating time trying to figure out why, when I went into Bios to change the hard drive boot priority to switch from running Ubuntu on one hdd to running XP on the other hdd, why the change didn't work.... Well...what I was doing was using the arrow keys to highlight which hdd that I wanted to use...and it wasn't working. I finally noticed at the bottom of the Bios screen to use the page up/down keys.... ! It works great now....sure felt dumb, but relieved!!

[jmtjet]

I use a Trios hard drive selector switch to change between hard drives. Unfortunately, they are no longer made. This link will give you an idea what they were:
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/revie...rios/print.htm

I've held off building myself a new box because Romtec switches are no longer available. But I'm going to give in and build this winter. This time I'll use a hard drive caddy to switch drives. This is what they are:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817122108

I don't like dual booting on the same drive. Sooner or later GRUB will s--- the bed on you and leave you with a mess. Changing drives in the BIOS is a chore also. So I'll go with the rack kit and caddy system for my build. The Ubuntu forums have a beginners forum were you can get a lot of expert advice pertaining to the Ubuntu Linux OS.

[jdc2000]

Currently available hard drive selector switches:

http://www.industechnologies.com/

[stevejr]

Yea...having to access the Bios is a bit of an annoyance, but risking a dual boot on the same drive and having it mess up everything, or paying $200.00 for a selector switch, which would certainly be nice, but rather expensive for me, leaves the Bios option a lot more appealing to me...and besides, it only takes a couple of minutes...well worth the surety of a good hdd operation...at least for me.

[jmtjet]

Thanks for the heads up on the IDEX Switch jdc. I know about them but had forgotten them. The old Romtec Trios switches were inexpensive running about $40.00 dollars each, cheaper on eBay. I'll check of the IDEX.

[DVOM]

I've never run anti-virus or a firewall on linux and I've never had a problem.

[jmtjet]

The only reason I run ClamAV is so I don't pass on a Windows virus to my windows using friends. Otherwise, I wouldn't either.