Ubuntu has become the most popular Linux distribution for new Linux users. It's easy to install, easy to use, and usually "just works." But moving to a different operating system can be confusing, no matter how well-designed it is. Here's a list of tips that might save you some time while you're getting used to Ubuntu.

Linux, just the mention of that word can spark an endless debate between Microsoft Fanboys and Linux Junkies. This debate or as it has more appropriately been called, war of words, has been going on ever since the inception of Windows, and will most likely continue until one completely abolishes the use of the other. Alas, this article isn’t about the age-old war of Microsoft vs. Linux, instead it is meant as more of an introduction to the world of Linux and what it can and can’t offer.

Since dumping Windows I have learned a lot about Linux. Ubuntu to be specific. You should really try it if you are still using Windows.

Free software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can also do these things. To make these acts possible, the human readable form of the program (called the source code) must be made available. The source code may be either accompanied by a software license saying that the copyright holder permits these acts (a free software licence), or be released into public domain, so that these rights automatically hold.

Recently, a few of us had a discussion about translating the book to Malayalam. GNU/Linux is now available in a lot of schools - and a local language version would be a boon to many smart kids who are capable of learning things by themselves. I suggested that we have a go at writing an `orignal’ book - mostly because I was having this pet idea of writing a book for kids for a long time.

This is the year I kiss Windows good-bye. Well, maybe not entirely, but the writing is on the wall for Microsoft's flagship operating system, and all other desktop bloatware: The future of PC software is open source. (I'll add that the future of PC applications is on the Web, which I'll cover once we've got Ubuntu in place.)

"I consider myself a beginning Lisper. I’ve been developing my software in Emacs for 8 months now. At first, I was clumsy at it. Emacs can be difficult and daunting. The terminology is different from what I’m used to, the key bindings are different, and there are just so many commands, configurations, and modes. But I’ve persevered and I now find myself quite nimble with key bindings and structured editing. And yet there’s still more to learn.

The subject of what to learn is treated in many online tutorials and printed books. But here, now, I thought I’d share some tips I use to keep the key bindings in my head from being garbage collected..."