I know nothing about Linux. Other than it’s free. And nifty. And Xubuntu supposedly runs great on crappy machines such as mine. But I’m told the Ubuntu based distros (like Xubuntu) are great for newbs like me because they are easy to install and use.

So I downloaded the latest version (Gutsy Gibbon or some other adjectived animal) , burned the image to a CD and plopped it in my drive ready for free OS bliss.