Switch your operating system to Ubuntu and you will never need anti virus or spyware software. I did almost two years ago and have been smiling every day since.
Second post because I did not think anyone read the first.
Seriously, I am am a long, long way from a computer expert. But even with my amateur status it has worked like a charm for me. Just shy of two years and on line every day without a hitch. No viruses, no nothing but fast response to every thing I ask of it.
Well, I use Linux, Macs & PCs at work in a corporate environment, but Linux (Ubuntu flavour) is what I recommend for most home users, so I guess you could call me a
Linux pimp.
![[Linked Image]](http://linuxpimp.com/pimpasstux.jpg)
I think it is at least 8 times that I have had friends or family about to drop the money for one of those overpriced Macs when they got frustrated with Windows. However, I got them to test Ubuntu on their old PC hardware first -- and all but one (who bought a PC to play silly games!) stayed with Ubuntu (some eventually bought new hardware to run it, but most found they did not need to).
Anyway, anybody thinking of a Mac would do well to at least try Ubuntu first if they have an old Windows PC that can boot at all. You can run Ubuntu from a CD or USB memory stick without disturbing your present operating system on your hard disk, so you risk nothing and it is quite easy.
Download Ubuntu
HERE. and follow the step-by-step instructions.
Ubuntu setup is usually very easy. Some laptops may need a few special drivers to operate some hardware (e.g. Bluetooth) but almost all will be perfect net surfing machines with even the default Ubuntu installation, so give it a try.
Ubuntu even on very old PC hardware is smooth and fast too, so almost everybody who tries it turns into an enthusiast like Scott F. Ubuntu is no more difficult to use either: when I have put a user in front of a Mac or a Ubuntu machine for the first time, it does not seem that either one is harder to get going with.
Burn a CD or put Ubuntu on a USB memory stick and try it for an evening and you may be hooked too.
I own quite a few shares in Apple so I do like to see them sell computers, but I hate to see
friends paying the "Apple tax" for their overpriced hardware (or for overpriced service later) when cheaper PC hardware and Ubuntu is really a better choice for most home users.
John
