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I was introduced to Ubuntu after buying an old $25 iMac with nothing but the OS. Useless without programs. So, I found that Ubuntu (6.06) supported the G3 processor, loaded it and got it networked, printing remotely, running an old DOS application, browsing, etc. This is one of those egg-looking machines, so if you have one, don’t pitch it.

I bought a Dell laptop, somehow managed to mangle the installed Windows XP and tried to reload XP from my bought-and-paid-for XP disk. It wouldn’t recognize my network, screen, sound.. almost nothing. I wiped the disk and tried Ubuntu (7.10). It loved everything out of the box. I browsed the internet with Ubuntu to find the drivers in needed to get XP running!

Been dual booting since, Ubuntu 99% of the time and XP for the few apps that won’t run (Quickbooks, some websites). I’ve been able to see the XP partition from Ubuntu and the Ubuntu partition from XP (a real geeky trick).

My big problem came when my wife’s Win7 machine arrived. I can see her on the network, but am prompted for a UserName and Password for access. Nothing will work. I can still access the other XP machines and Vista machines from Ubuntu (still running 8.04) and can access her Win7 machine from my laptop when I’m running XP! Same hardware!

I noticed a Microsoft MVP on here. You got any inside dope? The threads I’ve found, in the end, say MS has purposely sabotaged Samba support on Win7 Home Premium.

I have wireless “g”, but it won’t make it into one of the rooms. I’ve used three Belkin Powerline adapters with no problem. One even connects to the Ethernet port on my Dish DVR, so I don’t need to run a phone line for it to “phone home”. These are 10mps, so I envy those with the new 85mbs jobs.