I need a new computer so I've just been asking around and learnt that Acer Extensa 5230 comes without a pre-installed operating system. Which would be nice. I use Firefox and Thunderbird anyway, and Open Office sometimes.

But like Michael I'd like to be reassured about particular problems: whether Ubuntu will enable me to watch and burn CDs and DVDs, look at YouTube clips etc. My biggest worry is my F&A database programme, but as far as I know that doesn't run on anything younger than Windows 98, so I'll probably have to rebuild my databases in the OpenOffice software.

Olddude, as you seem to know a lot about Linux, could you perhaps give us a little encouragement?