1.Installation
The previous versions required a clean install by downloading a iso file(700Mb) and burning it to a disc but with the version it can be upgraded from 9.04 to 9.10 directly. You can download it from http://www.ubuntu.com/
While installing it displays a overview of what you going to experience while using ubuntu similar to the one which we encounter while installing xp.
er.o
My advise is to install via WUBI so that you need not have to back up any data or go through the partion problems it installs inside windows like any other software you can remove it from add/remove programs later on if you don't like it. You need to specify the amount of space required for ubuntu the minimum is 5Gb. The best thing about ubuntu is that you need not have require a new computer having a better system configuration.
It takes about an hour or so install no need to install drivers later on:)
When you restart the system it gives the option of windows and ubuntu select which ever your want and proceed
2.Improvements
It comes bundled with firefox 3.5, Openoffice 3.1(equivalent of Ms office ),and a software center from were you can download which ever software or remove it also.
Here is a wonderful link about what softwares you need to install it depends on
your interests
There is a big myth that windows favorite applications won't work in ubuntu
MY Recommendations and Alternatives
Web browsers: Nothing Beats Firefox 3.5.3 in terms perfomance and speed and variety of different plugins. You have Epiphany Web browser based on Gnome and you can install Google Chromium web Browser. You can download them from Synaptic manager ,Software centre or from websites.
Players:Ubuntu offers wide variety applications that will blow away your mind in terms of video and audio editing so throw away your windows media player
Video files
You can install Vlc for ubuntu as it plays wide variety of formats with ease. Mplayer is another player which can play all formats this player has won many awards in Europe. Pitivi Video Editor is the best for editing some videos or making as short film
Audio Files
Audacious ,Xmms ,Banshee are the best players for playing your music
collection
These players will give Winamp a run for there money.
Internet applications
Chat : Pidgin 2.6.3 is the best Messengers software if you have differnet accounts (gtalk,facebook,yahoo,twitter,Windows messenger etc etc) it runs different protocols in one window.It has a wide variety plugins.Gtalk looks outdated if you start using it. It supports differnet protocols
Empathy is default messenger software program in ubuntu 9.10 eariler pidgin used to be there.
Twitter Applications : Gwibber is used widely for updating your tweets or messages to your facebook,myspace and twitter accounts
But if your are a big fan of tweetdeck then Seesmic is the best version of tweetdeck Here are the download instructions for Seesmic
Bitorrent Torrent applications and Download mangers
Kget is the Best download manager available they are many but kget offers the best interface and download speed. So forget IDM and FDM
Deluge Bittorrent in ubuntu is closest to Utorrent(popular version) in terms of usage.
Archive Manager is used for Zip files and compressing them
Cloud Computing
Ubuntu One offfers to store a space of 2gb free. It is similar Drop box
Graphics
Gimp and Inkscape are the best Picture editing tools in ubuntu so can leave your Adobe photo shop
and there is no fee or cost to use ubuntu it is absolutely free
