Chapter 2. Installing Ubuntu

• Choosing Your Ubuntu Version

• Getting Ubuntu

• Installing from the Desktop CD

• Installing Using the Alternate Install CD

• Post-Installation

• Summary

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, it is fairly safe to assume that you have made the decision to give Ubuntu a try. What a wise choice. Ubuntu is a cutting-edge Linux distribution with a dedication to freedom, ease of use, and flexibility. This flexibility not only manifests in creating a powerful and extensible operating system (OS) for your computer but also in how you evaluate and install it.

Trying out Ubuntu is simple. The Ubuntu desktop CD is a special live CD. You can use this disc to run Ubuntu from the CD itself, without it ever coming into contact with your hard disk. This is ideal if you are already using Windows; you can try out Ubuntu by running it from the CD, and you don't have to worry about it overwriting your Windows hard disk.