2. Take the test drive

Once you've obtained a CD or DVD, installing Ubuntu couldn't be easier. You don't need any prior knowledge of programming or Unix. The distribution disc includes a point-and-click, graphical installer that takes care of most of the hard work for you. If you've ever installed Windows, the process should be very familiar.

Because not all hardware vendors make their specifications available to open source developers, some PCs may contain components that are not well-supported by the Linux kernel. If your video card or your network controller won't work, you'll want to know it before you go to the trouble of installing the OS to your hard disk.

Fortunately, Ubuntu makes it easy to check your hardware for compatibility. When you boot from a Windows installation CD, all you get is an installer. Ubuntu's installation disc, on the other hand, boots to a full desktop environment, complete with system tools, office applications, and a Web browser. You can take the system for a thorough test drive, then, when you're satisfied everything is running properly, you need only double-click the installer icon on the desktop.

3. Install and enjoy

The Ubuntu installation process is straightforward and should leave your existing Windows installation undisturbed. It's not completely without risk, however. Before you proceed, it's essential that you make backups of any irreplaceable files.

Compared to some Linux distributions, the installer asks very few questions and requires few decisions. You need only select your language and time zone and provide some basic information for the account you will use to log in to the system. Where to install the OS, however, demands some thought. If you plan to wipe your hard drive clean and start fresh with Linux (erasing Windows in the process), then you have nothing to worry about. Installing to a spare hard drive is another easy option. On the other hand, installing Linux onto the same drive as Windows requires some care.

By default, the Ubuntu installer will try to shrink your Windows partition to make room for Linux. Doing so requires sufficient contiguous free space on the drive; if it is very full, resizing the Windows partition may not be possible. Defragmenting your Windows drive is a good way to free up the maximum amount of free space before you run the installer.

If all else fails, the installer also offers manual partitioning capabilities, but be careful -- managing the partition table by hand requires significant technical skill. Use caution, also, when resizing partitions loaded with Windows Vista. Anecdotal evidence suggests that modifying Vista partition tables using non-Microsoft tools can render Vista unbootable.

Once the installation is under way, it requires no intervention. The installer will copy the necessary files to your hard drive and then restart your computer to complete the process. When the computer restarts, you should see the Linux boot menu, called "grub," which gives you the option to boot either Windows or Ubuntu. Choose Ubuntu, enter your chosen user name and password at the prompt, and you're ready to begin your adventure in the world of Linux.