Are Ubuntu and Other Linux Distributions Free?
Posted by: Timothy Tibbetts on 01/17/2014 07:50 AM
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Shadetree on our forums asked "I have XP. In the event of the end of support, what about Ubuntu. Why not? I saw where it was very light and would fit on a blank CD. I have been using MSE, SAS, and Malwarebytes. What free antivirus would be used with it? I am looking for FREE options."
IMO, you're wise to be doing this NOW, instead of waiting to see what "bad things" might happen at the end of XP support. To answer your question succinctly, yes, Ubuntu is free...completely free, as in "free of charge" as well as "freedom of choice." I've been running Ubuntu since 2009; I've since converted nearly every machine in my house to Ubuntu. I LOVE Ubuntu and I think it's awesome!
However, with that said, Ubuntu isn't for everyone, and Ubuntu isn't for every computer. More on that later. With respect to anti-virus for Linux distros...forget about it! You wont need it, as Linux rarely has an malware or virus issues, which are mostly targeted at Windows systems. Even if you receive a virus/malware, AND purposefully grant permission for the installation (Linux/Ubuntu won't install ANYTHING unless you specifically authorize it do so...NO BACKGROUND STEALTH INSTALLATIONS!), your system will not be affected, as the Linux filesystem is vastly different from the Windows file system. If you simply MUST have an anti-virus, ClamAV is available for free. I installed it on my system in an effort to be a conscientious user, so that I wouldn't be a "carrier" who accidentally forwards or sends an infected file to a Windows user. In 4 years, I've only caught 1 or 2 instances of malware that I received from others, but it had no effect on my system whatsoever; and I was able to notify the sender for them to scan their own system. Bottom line, AV isn't necessary, but free options are available if you simply must have it.
In a similar manner, nearly ALL Linux programs are free and are easily installed from a master "Software Center", very much like an Apple Store or Google Play. There are "paid apps" if you absolutely must have something in particular, but in the past 4 years I haven't needed anything that I couldn't find for free in the Software Center. Alternative Browsers, e-mail clients, video players, music players, scanning software, Skype, remote administration software...ALL available and ALL free!
With software concerns addressed, let's talk about potential hardware issues with specific machines. What machine are you looking to install Ubuntu on? Do you know your processor speed? RAM? Graphics card/GPU? Depending on your answers, Ubuntu may run amazingly fast on your machine...OR it could be somewhat sluggish. As far as Linux desktops go, Ubuntu is one of the "heavier" distributions in terms of system requirements. But even if your machine is a lower-spec machine, there are MANY Ubuntu-derivatives that are even lighter. Bottom line, there's a Linux distro for everyone; but since you started out asking about Ubuntu, let's start with that and then work in some alternatives for your consideration?!
You mentioned fitting on a CD. What you're describing is a LiveCD, which allows you to "test" Ubuntu on your machine without making ANY permanent changes whatsoever. If everything works as anticipated, you can play with the system until you have formed an opinion. If you like it and want to keep it, you can install directly from the CD, or you can move on to another selection.
I'm guessing your WinXP machine is 32-bit, as most WinXP machines are. IMO, you should stick with the 32-bit version of 12.04 LTS as 32-bit is universally compatible with 32 & 64 bit machines, and the 12.04 LTS version is a "long term support" release, with 5 years of security patches/updates. You can try 13.10, as that's the latest & greatest, but it will only be supported for 9 months after October 2013 (hence the version 2013 (13), October (10), or 13.10). Ubuntu releases a new version every 6 months; and every 2 years, a new LTS version is released, with the next release due in April 2014, or version 14.04. Here's a link to download Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
After downloading the version of interest, you'll need to burn the downloaded image to a LiveCD. Here's a link to create a LiveCD for Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows
And finally, instructions on how to boot from a LiveCD in order to "test" on your system:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/install-desktop-long-term-support
If all goes well, you should be able to boot into a "LiveSession" of Ubuntu, in order to "Try Ubuntu" before you install Ubuntu. Try to remember you're running from a CD, so the system MAY be a little slow and sluggish, compared to what you're used to. If it runs okay from the CD, I promise you it will simply FLY upon permanent installation! That's really all there is to it! Play with the LiveSession as much as you want, until you're comfortable making a final decision for a permanent installation.
In the event you don't like Ubuntu, or your hardware specs are marginal for the Ubuntu OS, I mentioned some alternatives that were "lighter" and would run faster. IMO, the best Ubuntu-derivative systems are LXLE and Zorin. Inasmuch as they're both Ubuntu-based, the above instructions still apply, but substitute the alternative download ISO file of choice for the alternative LiveCD versions of LXLE and/or Zorin.
I have LXLE on an Atom-powered notebook that had OEM Win7 when I bought it. I have been VERY HAPPY with LXLE, as LXLE is faster on that machine than Win7 EVER was! Here's a link to check out LXLE:
http://lxle.net/
As before, stick with 32-bit. No worries about LTS, as LXLE only uses LTS versions as a base. A caveat of LXLE is that the ISO file size is approximately 1.3 GB and, therefore, too big for a CD. A LiveCD of LXLE must be burned on a DVD. If you don't have the ability to burn or read DVDs on your WinXP machine, this distro isn't a good option for you!
Another lightweight alternative is Zorin Lite. I recently installed Zorin Lite on a Dell Mini10 that had OEM WinXP installed. Once again, Zorin Lite runs faster than the original OEM Win XP installation. Zorin was put on this particular machine because the user specifically wanted something that looked as much like WinXP as possible. After looking at screenshots of Zorin, the user thought Zorin was a "dead ringer" for Win XP, and I've had no complaints from them since installation...only "thank you"s! Here's a link for Zorin:
http://zorin-os.com/free6.html
Once again, stick with 32-bit. Again, I would recommend version 6 (it's actually version 6.4) as that is based on LTS. From there, choose Core or Lite. Again, the Core ISO hovers around 1.5GB, so the same issues apply that were previously discussed in LXLE. I typically suggest the Lite version, as the Lite ISO will fit on a CD and it's also a lighter-weight/faster-running distro. Since they look nearly identical in appearance, might as well go for the faster version!
That should get you started! A lot of information here, but try not to get overwhelmed. If you're feeling overwhelmed, let me summarize simply by stating:
1. download distro of choice (Ubuntu/LXLE/Zorin Lite)
2. burn LiveCD
3. boot from LiveCD to "TRY" distro
4. play with distro until decision is made
5. try next distro, OR "Install" from LiveCD
It really is that simple! If you're in the right frame of mind, this will actually be fun for you! (or maybe I'm just a little demented?!) Let us know what you decided and how you made out!
Good luck!
IMO, you're wise to be doing this NOW, instead of waiting to see what "bad things" might happen at the end of XP support. To answer your question succinctly, yes, Ubuntu is free...completely free, as in "free of charge" as well as "freedom of choice." I've been running Ubuntu since 2009; I've since converted nearly every machine in my house to Ubuntu. I LOVE Ubuntu and I think it's awesome!
However, with that said, Ubuntu isn't for everyone, and Ubuntu isn't for every computer. More on that later. With respect to anti-virus for Linux distros...forget about it! You wont need it, as Linux rarely has an malware or virus issues, which are mostly targeted at Windows systems. Even if you receive a virus/malware, AND purposefully grant permission for the installation (Linux/Ubuntu won't install ANYTHING unless you specifically authorize it do so...NO BACKGROUND STEALTH INSTALLATIONS!), your system will not be affected, as the Linux filesystem is vastly different from the Windows file system. If you simply MUST have an anti-virus, ClamAV is available for free. I installed it on my system in an effort to be a conscientious user, so that I wouldn't be a "carrier" who accidentally forwards or sends an infected file to a Windows user. In 4 years, I've only caught 1 or 2 instances of malware that I received from others, but it had no effect on my system whatsoever; and I was able to notify the sender for them to scan their own system. Bottom line, AV isn't necessary, but free options are available if you simply must have it.
In a similar manner, nearly ALL Linux programs are free and are easily installed from a master "Software Center", very much like an Apple Store or Google Play. There are "paid apps" if you absolutely must have something in particular, but in the past 4 years I haven't needed anything that I couldn't find for free in the Software Center. Alternative Browsers, e-mail clients, video players, music players, scanning software, Skype, remote administration software...ALL available and ALL free!
With software concerns addressed, let's talk about potential hardware issues with specific machines. What machine are you looking to install Ubuntu on? Do you know your processor speed? RAM? Graphics card/GPU? Depending on your answers, Ubuntu may run amazingly fast on your machine...OR it could be somewhat sluggish. As far as Linux desktops go, Ubuntu is one of the "heavier" distributions in terms of system requirements. But even if your machine is a lower-spec machine, there are MANY Ubuntu-derivatives that are even lighter. Bottom line, there's a Linux distro for everyone; but since you started out asking about Ubuntu, let's start with that and then work in some alternatives for your consideration?!
You mentioned fitting on a CD. What you're describing is a LiveCD, which allows you to "test" Ubuntu on your machine without making ANY permanent changes whatsoever. If everything works as anticipated, you can play with the system until you have formed an opinion. If you like it and want to keep it, you can install directly from the CD, or you can move on to another selection.
I'm guessing your WinXP machine is 32-bit, as most WinXP machines are. IMO, you should stick with the 32-bit version of 12.04 LTS as 32-bit is universally compatible with 32 & 64 bit machines, and the 12.04 LTS version is a "long term support" release, with 5 years of security patches/updates. You can try 13.10, as that's the latest & greatest, but it will only be supported for 9 months after October 2013 (hence the version 2013 (13), October (10), or 13.10). Ubuntu releases a new version every 6 months; and every 2 years, a new LTS version is released, with the next release due in April 2014, or version 14.04. Here's a link to download Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
After downloading the version of interest, you'll need to burn the downloaded image to a LiveCD. Here's a link to create a LiveCD for Ubuntu:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/burn-a-dvd-on-windows
And finally, instructions on how to boot from a LiveCD in order to "test" on your system:
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/install-desktop-long-term-support
If all goes well, you should be able to boot into a "LiveSession" of Ubuntu, in order to "Try Ubuntu" before you install Ubuntu. Try to remember you're running from a CD, so the system MAY be a little slow and sluggish, compared to what you're used to. If it runs okay from the CD, I promise you it will simply FLY upon permanent installation! That's really all there is to it! Play with the LiveSession as much as you want, until you're comfortable making a final decision for a permanent installation.
In the event you don't like Ubuntu, or your hardware specs are marginal for the Ubuntu OS, I mentioned some alternatives that were "lighter" and would run faster. IMO, the best Ubuntu-derivative systems are LXLE and Zorin. Inasmuch as they're both Ubuntu-based, the above instructions still apply, but substitute the alternative download ISO file of choice for the alternative LiveCD versions of LXLE and/or Zorin.
I have LXLE on an Atom-powered notebook that had OEM Win7 when I bought it. I have been VERY HAPPY with LXLE, as LXLE is faster on that machine than Win7 EVER was! Here's a link to check out LXLE:
http://lxle.net/
As before, stick with 32-bit. No worries about LTS, as LXLE only uses LTS versions as a base. A caveat of LXLE is that the ISO file size is approximately 1.3 GB and, therefore, too big for a CD. A LiveCD of LXLE must be burned on a DVD. If you don't have the ability to burn or read DVDs on your WinXP machine, this distro isn't a good option for you!
Another lightweight alternative is Zorin Lite. I recently installed Zorin Lite on a Dell Mini10 that had OEM WinXP installed. Once again, Zorin Lite runs faster than the original OEM Win XP installation. Zorin was put on this particular machine because the user specifically wanted something that looked as much like WinXP as possible. After looking at screenshots of Zorin, the user thought Zorin was a "dead ringer" for Win XP, and I've had no complaints from them since installation...only "thank you"s! Here's a link for Zorin:
http://zorin-os.com/free6.html
Once again, stick with 32-bit. Again, I would recommend version 6 (it's actually version 6.4) as that is based on LTS. From there, choose Core or Lite. Again, the Core ISO hovers around 1.5GB, so the same issues apply that were previously discussed in LXLE. I typically suggest the Lite version, as the Lite ISO will fit on a CD and it's also a lighter-weight/faster-running distro. Since they look nearly identical in appearance, might as well go for the faster version!
That should get you started! A lot of information here, but try not to get overwhelmed. If you're feeling overwhelmed, let me summarize simply by stating:
1. download distro of choice (Ubuntu/LXLE/Zorin Lite)
2. burn LiveCD
3. boot from LiveCD to "TRY" distro
4. play with distro until decision is made
5. try next distro, OR "Install" from LiveCD
It really is that simple! If you're in the right frame of mind, this will actually be fun for you! (or maybe I'm just a little demented?!) Let us know what you decided and how you made out!
Good luck!
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