Why Switch? 

If you read tech-related articles and blogs on a daily basis like I do, then you already know that most computer experts continue to condemn Microsoft Windows Vista as a gigantic disappointment. Then there’s Windows’ continued susceptibility to viruses, spyware, malware, rootkits, etc. I doubt if even Bill Gates’ personal fortune could cover all of the financial damages that individuals and corporations have incurred as a result of security breaches on Windows computers over the years.

To avoid these Windows-related woes, a growing number of computer users are flocking to Apple’s Mac OS X operating system. But OS X is only available for Macs – unless you’re a skilled hacker. And despite what many Apple fanatics want you believe, decently configured Macs are still very expensive.

It’s not surprising then that the free Ubuntu Linux operating system is an increasingly-popular alternative to Windows. Of course, Ubuntu is far from the only “flavor” of Linux that’s available today. But Ubuntu is arguably today’s best Linux distribution.

Ubuntu Linux is free, and upgrading to future versions of the operating system is also free. And to your potential delight, Ubuntu is immune to computer viruses and other infections. So here’s a little guide to help you switch from Windows to Ubuntu with ease…

Create Backups of your Important Data, in the Proper Formats

Some of the different ways to create backup versions of your important computer data include: USB flash drives, CD-R disks, DVD±R media, and external hard drives. Feel free to use any or all of these methods to create your backups. They will all be readable in Ubuntu.

Let’s begin by creating backups of your office files. While Ubuntu’s version of the OpenOffice office suite is capable of opening many different kinds of office files, I suggest that you backup all of your office documents in the following formats:

• Word Processing = .doc
• Spreadsheets = .xls
• Presentations = .ppt 

If you’ve been using desktop publishing software (DTP) such as Microsoft Publisher in Windows, consult your favorite search engine to learn if your DTP program saves in a Linux-friendly format. DTP programs are often capable of exporting into several different formats. You may also wish to think about running your Windows-based DTP software in Linux. Please read the Running Windows Programs in Ubuntu section of this article for more information.