It was only just over one year ago that I asked those very same questions.  Although I had tried Ubuntu earlier, the day came when I asked for help in finding equivalent programmes, that is XP to Ubuntu.<br><br>I used two hard drives on my main computer to keep XP on one and try Ubuntu on the other.  Since then my XP hard drive is probably rusting away as it gets less and less use.  Because XP is such a security risk, I have denied it any internet access and all my internet requirements are met by Ubuntu. <br><br>Of the two available desktop environments, I prefer Ubuntu's Gnome to Kubuntu's KDE.  It really is a matter of personal preference.<br>You can either download both environments or perhaps buy one of the many computer magazines that have a copy of Knoppix on their cover disc.  Knoppix uses KDE. <br><br>As for Quicken as well as many other programmes, you can run Quicken 2002, 2003, 2004 quite successfully under Crossover.<br>Wine, may also work.  I run a few programmes written for Windows via Crossover.  Rather than giving you long-winded explanations of what Wine and Crossover are, I suggest that you Google them. <br><br>To log in automatically is easily accomplished so that you do not have to go through that routine every time.  If you live in a household with others, you may decide to continue with the log in procedure for security reasons. <br><br>Ubuntu and Linux are easily customised to suit your every whim.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Andre<br><br><br><br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 18/11/2007, <b class="gmail_sendername">The Wassermans</b> <<a href="mailto:dwas1@bigpond.net.au"> dwas1@bigpond.net.au</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"> <div bgcolor="#ffffff"> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">I have a spare computer and have decided to give Ubuntu a whirl on the basis that I would be prepared to fully convert if Linux can meet my home computer requirements.  My objective to simply to achieve similar functionality to what I have with Windows.  I realise that there are many substitutes for the usual Microsoft products.  But I am concerned, for instance, about emulating Quicken which I have been using for some years.</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">There is much information provided by Linux for which I am very grateful.  But I am still nervous and a bit confused eg: <font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">I have just loaded ubuntu 7.04 onto a computer.  I then upgraded - (I thought) to Ubuntu 7.10.  Now I come across information about "Kubutu" and don't know if I should be going for that?</font></font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"><u>Early observations/issues I have encountered:</u></font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">*  I don't like to have to log in with a password.</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">*  The Internet works - great!</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">*  I then loaded a USB printer.  Although it appears to have been accepted it won't print.</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">I feel a bit silly about asking but until I get a better feel I would like some one to one pointers of where to logically go from here.  </font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">Firstly, which Ubuntu would best suit my needs.  How do I find out???</font></div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS"></font> </div> <div><font color="#0000ff" face="Comic Sans MS">Dave W</font></div></div> <br>--<br>ubuntu-au mailing list<br><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com">ubuntu-au@lists.ubuntu.com</a><br><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au" target="_blank"> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-au</a><br><br></blockquote></div><br>