The Open Learning Centre

To support the many organisations currently running Windows™ XP, The Open Learning Centre has a special offer to deliver an alternative to the expense and pain of an upgrade to Windows 7.

It is very difficult to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 according to Microsoft. The process is something like this:

• Spend lots of money for Windows 7 for every computer in your organisation,
• Then take very careful backups of everything (not just files but emails, favourites, settings etc),
• Format your machine's hard disk and install Windows 7 as a fresh installation,
• Then find all those drivers for your hardware (if they exist) and install them,
• Re-install all your application software (if it still works on Windows 7 and you have the CDs and license keys etc),
• Activate and register your computer on the network (providing the network connection is working of course),
• Copy back all that carefully backed up data and make sure it goes into the right places.

Alternatively, you can try another modern desktop operating system which is free from all known computer viruses, doesn't crash unexpectedly, has an exciting 3D graphical interface and includes most of the typical business applications we all use on a daily basis.

Ubuntu is also free.

The Open Learning Centre will arrange with you to visit your premises, install Ubuntu on a suitable computer and provide approximately 3hrs of training and advice on using Ubuntu. All for the price of a Windows 7 Ultimate license here in the UK. Please use our Contact Us form to book your visit or to discuss further.

Overview of Ubuntu Training

End User/Everyone (Approx 1hr)

• Introduction
• What is Free and Open Source Software?
• What is Ubuntu?
• How is it similar to Windows?
• How is it different to Windows?
• Key Applications
• Nautilus (File and Network browsing etc)
• OpenOffice.org (Office Application Suite)
• Firefox (Web Browser)
• Evolution (Email Client)
• Gimp (Image manipulation)
• There's More!
• Packages
• Add/remove Programs

Sys Admin, IT Staff (Approx 1hr)

• An introduction to:
• Software Repositories
• Synaptic Package Manager
• Automatic Updates
• Windows Networking Configuration
• Where to get further information

The remaining time will be available for questions & answers etc.

Suggested Minimum PC Specification

Ubuntu should run reasonably well on a computer with the following minimum hardware specification. However, features such as enhanced visual effects may not run smoothly.

• 700 MHz x86 processor
• 384 MB of system memory (RAM)
• 8 GB of disk space
• Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
• Sound card
• A network or Internet connection

To discuss the suitability of your hardware for the installation, please contact us using this form or you can telephone us on +44(0)844 3576000.