Hi peeps, I'm soon going to be making the switch to linux (probably Ubuntu) but I am a little worried about the future updates. I know there is support for up to 3 years available with the initial download, but what happens after that? Will I need to "upgrade" to a newer distribution? (ie Inbuntu 7.07 or whatever) If so, will I be risking all my data on the HDD? If not, then . . . what? Sorry - but as I say, I'm a noob. Thanks in advance Craig

In windows, you really should format the hard drive with each upgrade. Example Windows 95 to Windows 98. With Ubuntu I have not had to do that. I started (think it was) some 4.x version. I just click upgrade, when new versions come out. Have made it all the way to 8.04 with out a problem. Their was one version that bombed. Think it was 6.10. I might have formated and and gone back a version for that. If you are ever worried, just store your data files in your home directory. That way, you can just copy that folder to your jump drive. Then format, install, and copy your data back to your new home directory.

Thanks very much for your help, thats put my mind at rest. I am switching my laptop to Ubuntu 6.1 (or whatever the latest will be) in July / August, and I will probably go dual boot on my pc (gaming needs XP) around the same time.

Another way to save your home data is to create a separate partition on your hard drive for the directory /home. All user files will be stored in there. Then you can install, re-install, upgrade, or install multiple Linuxes, on other partitions and not worry about your user files. Never a bad idea to backup your data occasionally though!

Thanks Proopnarine - I have seen that mentioned in a magazine today, so it seems like the sensible thing to do. The support on here is fantastic. I have spent hours just reading through peoples queries in the hope that I might learn something!