Hello Linux

I just received an email from Xandros.com with details on how to buy their deluxe edition. If I order it tomorrow and send the money I could have it next week. WOOHOO!

I researched Xandros on the Internet and read the reviews at DistroWatch.com. I liked what I saw and my hardware is compatible according to the list on-site.

I will still need Windows to play computer games. I will set up a dual boot system and save the Windows partition for games and do everything else in Xandros.

I am doing this for basically three reasons:

1.I have wanted to try Linux for years but I was hesitant because many distributions are difficult to set up properly. Furthermore, I couldn't afford boxed versions and didn't have a cd burner to burn downloaded distributions. I have some money now and I am ready for change. Windows 98 has it's own list of bugs and annoyances that have irritated me for years. Now I won't be dependent on Windows.

2.Windows 98 is old and soon to be unsupported. If I can keep my Windows use to just games there won't be as much need to keep tweaking the system with updates and fixes – all of my Internet use and email will be through Xandros.

3.I have always liked to try new things and experiment a bit. I may eventually try other Linux distributions so I can learn more and play a bit. For now I want something newer and more stable than Win 98 that will run on this computer. I also like the idea of not being so dependent on Microsoft.

Another more personal reason may be that all of my computer's have been second hand. This is not a bad thing in itself but when it comes to game technology – which is in part governed by changes at Microsoft – the issue becomes problematic. The companies call for bigger, faster, and more expensive computers. To buy a P4 with equivalent gaming hardware would cost me about $1100 cdn. I am still paying off this computer. I can still play many games and will be able to use some of the new ones.

By using a newer Linux distribution I can keep abreast of some of the technology. Changes not related to games can be ignored because my other OS will take care of everything else. Now I won't feel 'left behind' by everyone else. In some ways I will be ahead.