Recently I've been playing around with Linux, namely the Ubuntu flavour; Ubuntu means "Humanity to others". I've found it to be a real contender to both Windows and OS X, although I have to say if you're planning to do anymore than surf the web, email or basic office tasks you may need an intermediate computer knowledge as third party software installation can be a little involved.

Virus protection NOT REQUIRED! No more AV subscriptions to pay for every year as well as system resources being eaten away by security software due to the fact that you simply don't get virus's on Lynux.

No such thing as a FREE lunch? Well it's official... now there is! Ubuntu is 100% FREE and available to download from http://www.ubuntu.com as well as being available via a FREE CD in the post if you're prepared to wait.

The following is courtesy of the Ubuntu website;

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you'll always have the the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.

Everything you need on one CD, which provides a complete working environment. Additional software is available online.

The graphical installer enables you to get up and running quickly and easily. A standard installation should take less than 25 minutes.

Once installed your system is immediately ready-to-use. On the desktop you have a full set of productivity, Internet, drawing and graphics applications, and games.

On the server you get just what you need to get up and running and nothing you don't.