Bob Pearson Computer Services

In a world without walls or fences, who needs Windows and Gates?

What is Linux?

Linux is a comuter operating system originally designed to replace the Unix operating system for servers (see the links to History of Linux and GNU Home above for more information). With the Gnome or KDE Graphical User Interface (GUI)) integrated for use on a personal computer it becomes similar to Microsoft™ Windows™ but with some advantages and some disadvantages (see below). There are a number of different implementations of Linux, known as "Distributions" and each distribution generally has a number of versions. Linux can be installed on any personal computer designed for Windows™ without any modification to the computer hardware, but some modification may be required to achieve optimum performance.

Advantages of Linux

1. It is much more stable than Windows and only very rarely requires rebooting following a system update or the installation of a new program and it almost never "crashes" or "hangs" because of a software error.
2. It doesn't generally require expensive antivirus software to be installed, (Please go to our Linux FAQ page for more details) and it also doesn't need anti-spyware software to be installed.
3. It is a free operating system, there is no license fee to pay.
4. Most devices will be detected and will work without having to use installation disks as you do for Windows™ and Mac.

Disadvantages of Linux

1. There is less commercial software available for Linux than for Windows™ or Mac.

About Our Distribution

Our distribution is based on Ubuntu, a version of Linux itself based on the Debian distribution, and developed in South Africa with the Gnome GUI integrated into it. In our opinion it is the easiest version of Linux for the home computer owner to install and use. It is available from us on 1 or more CD's depending on your requirements. If you just want the Ubuntu distribution it is also available for download entirely free of charge, just click on the Ubuntu Downloads link at the top of this page, but note that unless you have a high speed Broadband connection (8 Mbps recommended) it will take several hours to download. If you would like some or all of our enhancements then you can order the 2 or 3 CD set. We do not charge for the software, just for the cost of making and testing the CD's plus packaging and posting.

Tux - the Linux mascot

Ubuntu versions available from us on CD

Desktop versions: Ubuntu 8.04 'Hardy Heron' i386, Ubuntu 8.04 'Hardy Heron' AMD64, Ubuntu 9.04 'Jaunty Jackalope' i386, Ubuntu 9.04 'Jaunty Jackalope' AMD64
Server versions: Ubuntu 8.04.

Which version should I choose?

Ubuntu 7.10 is now quite old, and end of life is April 2009, but is free of the 2 bugs mentioned below. 8.04 is the latest release with long term support (Desktop - April 2011, Server April 2013). The latest Desktop version Ubuntu 8.10 has more support for wireless networks added.
Bugs in 8.04 and 8.10: 1. Floppy Disk drives aren't always detected properly at install time and can't always be used.
2. On a mixed network of Ubuntu and Windows™ computers it is not possible to to see the shared folders on the Windows computers via the File Browser. We have a workaround for this which we will be publishing shortly.

Prices: Any 1 CD £1.95, each additional CD £1. Prices apply to UK mainland only, for prices elsewhere in the UK and europe please email linux@bob-pearson.net

Additional software available from us on CD

1. Flightgear - a very realistic flight simulator which is as good as a certain expensive one we could mention.

2. Additional aircraft, UK and European scenery, flight planner and world atlas software for Flightgear.

Minimum System Requirements

For Ubuntu i386 distributions with Gnome 2.x GUI: 800MHz processor, Pentium 3 or AMD equivalent, 384MB RAM. For Kubuntu i386 distributions (available for download, not available from us on CD) with KDE 3.x GUI: 1GHz processor, Pentium 3 or AMD equivalent, 512MB RAM.