Ubuntu, if you haven’t heard, is a Linux operating system.  It is no-frills, slimmed down operating system that starts up fast and remains fast when you’re working on it.  Does that mean you should change to it from Windows? 

Let’s look at the reasons why to switch to Ubuntu:

1. It’s free! 
2. Installing hardware device drivers is a piece of cake with EasyUbuntu, a free program that installs everything automatically for you.  Windows has you go to the manufacturer’s website and download/install them one by one.
3. Synaptic Packager Manager allows Windows users to use a GUI, graphical user interface, that is just like Windows.  Why not feel right at home?
4. Linux has new versions every 6 months and come rolled in a software update tool, much like Windows update
5. Good security with automatic disabling features so hackers cannot easily attack.
6. Wireless is a snap with its built-in wireless config tool.
7. No blue screens of death or operating system issues - it is as stable as it comes.

Next time you’re buying a new computer, see if it comes with Ubuntu.  You may save a bundle of cash and be pleasantly surprised with the results.

This question is asked several times a day:  What is the best PC to buy?  Or should I buy a mac?  This inquiry usually is asked after a computer dies.  Our answer, which is entirely subjective, is: We like Dells, Lenovos, Sonys, and Macs.  And it depends what you’re using it for.  Our favorite laptops are the Dell Latitude series, Lenovo x series, and Sony Vaio.  On the Mac end, we like the new Macbook duo Core series and are not sold to highly on the Air Book.

For PCs, we still opt for Windows XP Professional, not Vista, and recommend 2GB of RAM and at least 80GB of hard drive space on a laptop and 120GB of space, if not 250GB, on a desktop.  The rest are “nice to have” options.  We’re not big fans of Gateway, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, and Samsung.  We are ambivalent about HP as they are good laptops, but loaded with unnecessary games and do-dads.  When buying your PC, make sure the operating system CD or DVD comes with it in case any computer repairs or re-installs are needed.

Babies can be a lot of fun, and especially if they’re yours!  Sometimes though, just sometimes, Mommies and Daddies need rest to.  So, when you want to stimulate their babies’ minds while taking a snooze, you can queue of the following online sites.  They incorporate fun activities while letting the little one get acclimated to using a computer.

Here are a few sites to keep your little guy or girl busy:

1. Huggy Happy Baby Online Games 
2. Disney Online Fun
3. The Kidz Page
4. Game Aquarium

Keep in mind to have your baby work on an older computer or a computer you don’t care about so much.  That way, you won’t cry when your keyboard has spilled milk, less keys, or needs computer repair.   

If you’re bored with your standard beeping alarm clock or want to get a cool gift for your friend or family, get the Chumby.  It’s a clock that’s connected to your wireless network.  It has a 3.5 LCD screen that displays streaming radio stations, videos, news, entertainment, and weather.  You can have it pull up MTV, CBS, The Weather Channel, AOL’s Shoutcast, Scripps Networks, and MySpace.  So, you can set this alarm clock to wake you up at 6AM with the weather forecast of the day in video, or get moving with MTV videos .  You may also set it up to view your own photos and videos.

Another feature the Chumby provides is the ability to create widgets through a pre-set gallery.  You may display your Gmail, daily horoscope, Facebook updates, sports scores, latest news clips, stock quotes, eBay auction updates, and more.  Overall, it is a nice way to stay up to date right when you wake up and without having to wake up your sleeping partner.  This little device is also a nice way to view your online info where your computer typically doesn’t go (i.e. bathroom, small kitchen, etc.).  And don’t worry, you don’t have to be a computer technician to figure out how to set it up!

An anti-virus software should be reliable and not slow down your computer.  It should do its job and not even be noticed it is running.  Norton Anti-virus, especially its Internet Security suite, has been very overbearing, sluggish, and sometimes ineffective.  McAfee is a decent, slimming anti-virus software, but make sure you register online or else you might not get ongoing updates. 

Kapersky is an easy installation, and uninstall if necessary, and provides an easy interface.  Some software make it very difficult to figure out how to kick off a manual virus scan or where to find past malicious threats.  Not Kapersky - there is a minimalist, almost Google-like, interface to make everything easy to find.  It was the fastest among its competitors in scanning and installing virus definitions.  Another factor that is very important, but often overlooked, is that Kapersky is not well-known, like Norton, making it stealth-like for those viruses intended to infect more popular security software.

The iPhone has been produced all by Apple products, including the iPod and itunes.  itunes is the primary application for uploading music, contacts, and e-mail accounts.  Currently, Apple is offering an open invitation from any company to create a program for the iPhone.  So, this means that Apple is releasing some of its code so that other companies can create a program, such as a game, GPS, business application, etc., that may be used for use on the iPhone. 

This is the first attempt iPhone has made to add diversity to its product, and possibly also compete with the Blackberry devices.  There may be more business applications, such as sharing networks, remoting into office computers, and accounting software that may make the iPhone more appealing that Blackberries.  Further, iPhone is not limiting this open bid for third-party applications just to att.  Now, any provider or company may offer a partnership for products.  Time will tell what this open bid will offer.

With wireless phone competition at its strongest, att just took the lead with its newest $100 promotion.  The promotion asks for just $100 and you’ll be able to call domestically for unlimited minutes per month.  There is no roaming or out-of-area fees.  This is definitely are bargain for those chatter-boxes out there.  Keep in mind though this does not include data for blackberries, treos, and iPhones.  Data / e-mails / Internet plans are sold separately. 

Sprint has offered a $120/month plan that includes unlimited voice and data.  Cellular South  has been offering the same plan for $80.  Verizon has matched the same plan as ATT at $100/month.  Tmobile will be announcing a better unlimited plan soon also offering free text messaging and some data services.

This fierce competition is in the hopes to compete with voice over IP phone companies, such as Vonage and Comcast.  The wireless companies are hoping consumers will use their cell phones as their universal out-of-the-house and home phones.  We feel that the unlimited plans are good; however, they’ll need to kick in some data/e-mail services to make it even more appealing to the masses.  Most people who are talking a lot on their smartphones and handhelds also email a lot. 

This $100 rate is typically much more than people want to spend especially since the data service is typically $35 - 50/month.  Plus, many high-volume talkers don’t purchase many minutes since rollover minutes accumulate to the point where purchasing the higher plans are not necessary.  So, for these unlimited plans to do well, ATT, Verizon, Sprint, and Tmobile need to either decrease the $100 rate and/or kick in text messaging and data/email services for free.

The new MacBook Pro is bigger and faster.  Is it worth purchasing a new Mac though?  We think so.  It has an iPhone-like touchpad for panning and re-sizing images.  It’s wireless N speed is fast enough for hard-to-reach wireless areas.  It has a new remote capability to access files from your home Leopard Mac.  The new Leopard that comes installed on it is equipped with Time Machine, the constantly active backup. 

Connecting and networking with PCs is very easy.  Wireless printing and streaming music and movies is first nature.  You may easily stick in a wireless card to run off of cellular networks for quick and anywhere Internet access.  Need we say more.  Starting at $1,900, this MacBook Pro is a good investment.