I had the chance to study Unix during college.  I got to use Unix in some of my previous jobs but it was always ready to use.  I tried to install Red Hat Linux years back but even as a computer science graduate, I had a difficult time figuring out how to install and configure it.  I had to tweak and calculate the correct swap disk space, make the correct partitions, type in several cryptic command-line parameters and so and and so forth with the end result of a failure.  

It was really frustrating knowing how to use Unix but couldn't install one myself.  I tried various flavors of Unix and Linux, like KateOS, Debian, Knoppix and Red Hat and the closest I was into actually using the OS was booting from CD and using a live session.   At the press of the power button, all goes back to zero.

Fast forward to 2008.  I've been hearing lots of good reviews about Ubuntu.  I figured I'll try it out again.   Installation was straightforward and a breeze.  I didn't have to go through the myriad of screens, questions, confirmations and manual configuring that I used to endure years ago.   

For an open source operating system, Ubuntu sure beats Microsoft in terms of cost for value.  I gradually learned tips and programs on Ubuntu.  Then I found out that there are several flavors of Ubuntu like Kubuntu and Xubuntu suitable for all kinds of needs.