I have been using windows for a long time now, it has given me the worst it could give. I always thought that i had to change my OS but then i had lesser choice. I remember when i asked people about Linux they said "Linux is more secure... but its not an OS for home PC" (4 years back). Not only this i heard many stories about it but then i thought to try it myself.. I got Red Hat CD (i don't know the version). I installed it but was disappointed i could not access my files on windows drive, i could not install any applications. I had to remove it.. After few months i installed Mandrake Linux.. same thing no apps, no files... But i never kept quite i tried so many more distros.. some of them could access my windows files but could not play music, could not open my documents.. Windows had so many problems but it looked so good, I appreciate MS for the UI and integration with MS products. I always wanted an alternate....
Then one day when i had been to my cousin's house i saw Ubuntu CD.. I thought of trying it but could not. Then i got an ISO image of it along with a magazine. I installed Ubuntu and believe me i just loved it so much that i don't use Windows now. i have everything here... i can access my windows files, i can play music, i can chat, browse, i can open MS Office files with OpenOffice, i can edit my photos, write programs. I get free updates, free softwares, i feel more secure moreover i feel comfortable to use it.
I did not know anything in Linux but then thanks to Ubuntu community based help those guys helped me for all my queries. For all who have been using windows for a long time and probably not satisfied with it, i recommend switching over to Ubuntu.
If you are using a pirated copy of windows then remember that u will not be able to receive any more updates. Slowly but surely MS is going to fight piracy, MS will release updates only for activated copy of windows. The next version windows vista will burn a big hole in your pocket (both H/w and S/w). Before u get into more troubles its better switch to free, better, faster, safer OS and i meant Linux.
