Ubuntu Linux is Desktop Ready

I'm not a Linux superuser, so I try to stick to the quick-to-install distributions that set themselves up without much help from the user. Of course, they also have to be completely free.

Ubuntu Linux definitely fits those needs -- its a full-fledged desktop operating system with most anything needed for business computing.

Download the LiveCD, and try it out without installing it -- if you like what you see, start the installation right from that same LiveCD. The only other thing you'll want is a broadband connection so Synaptic can download and install whatever additional software not on the LiveCD.

If you're looking for a Windows Vista alternative, Ubuntu Linux is definitely worth a look, and I recommend it for users switching from Windows to Linux as a good first-time-Linux distribution.

If you'd like a system pre-loaded with Ubuntu, contact Indigo Computer for pricing and options.

More Worst Buy Woes ...

... and Lawsuits. Here's a link to a story about a woman who brought her laptop in for service at her local Best Buy, only to have her laptop stolen from 'Geek Squad' service. Best Buy and Geek Squad didn't tell her it was stolen for 3 months, all the while her personal information was out there in a stranger's possesion. She's now suing Best Buy and Geek Squad for $54M.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330659,00.html

You can always trust Indigo Computer to take care of your equipment and your data. We even pick-up and drop-off, for the busy professional.

Romanians Adept at eBay Scams

Here's a link to a story on FoxNews.com about a poor Romanian town that's suddenly grown rich thanks to Internet access and eBay fraud.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,328966,00.html

I'm an active eBay user, have been for 4-1/2 years now. I can atest there are scams-a-plenty that begin on eBay -- but there are also millions of successful transactions completed each day with both parties very satisfied.

Scams require the victim of the scam do something unsafe. Here's a quick list of ways to avoid an unsafe transaction that could make an eBay user a victim of a scam:

1. NEVER pay for an eBay item with a personal check or e-check.
   
2. NEVER pay for an eBay item with a Credit Card.
   
3. NEVER pay for an item with a wire transfer or a Money Order.
   
4. Never send payment information through an eMail message.
   
5. Never pay for an eBay item outside of eBay.
   
6. Don't deal with anyone in another country (except, maybe Canada).
   
7. Never respond to any eMails that come from eBay an eBay User -- go to eBay Message Center and respond there.
   
8. Always check feedback when you're dealing on eBay -- use extra caution if there's little or no feedback, avoid users with negative feedback.

It's safe to pay with a Money Order or Cashier's Check for small items, as long as you can stand to lose the money you send. It's also safe and convenient to use an online service like PayPal. You can use PayPal with your Credit Card or an e-check to pay for an item and still keep your sensitive financial info hidden from the other party. For large transactions you should pay in person and record the other party's ID, home address and telephone.

These are just a few points to make eBay safe to use -- for a complete list of all eBay security tips, visit eBay's 'Security and Resolution' page at
http://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/index.html.

Best Buy is The Worst by ...

... far to purchase technology or have it serviced.

They've a reputation for shady dealings, been investigated various State Attorney Generals for various alleged fraud, and ticked me off with their "we'll match any competitor's price (unless our competitor's price is lower)" policy.

Here's a posting over at M$NBC about a gentleman who had Best Buy replace the hard drive in his computer, wouldn't return the drive with his data to him, assured him that the data would be safe, then proceeded allow his hard drive to be sold to a stranger in another town with all his personal data still on it! Scary!

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2006/06/one_year_ago_ha.html

Read some of the comments -- there are a number of people who posted similar stories after having their PC serviced at Best Buy.

This simply isn't a possibility at Indigo Computer -- we realize the awesome responsibility of protecting our customer's sensitive information, and we treat your data as if it was our family's. We use Department of Defense standards to erase all data from all failed hard drives and media before destruction and recycling.

You can trust Indigo Computer with your sensitive personal information.