Even experienced computer users can have a "bad day". Two weeks ago I managed to modify my desktop operating system when something hiccuped while downloading several updates to the networking software. Panic in the kernel. The CPU has reached 100%. The system would not shut down. To condense the next few minutes of troubleshooting into a single sentence, it seemed like the easiest way to quickly fix the problem was to spend 15 or 20 minutes reloading the operating system. It's not as drastic as it seems. First of all, I made a new backup of the home directory from the day before. Even better, since the home directory and all current files were on a separate partition, so I could reformat and reload just the partition with the operating system without damaging the other working files. I may not even need backups. Once I got past the decision to reload, the next question was: what version of the operating system should I install? The desktop was originally running Ubuntu 9.04 when the confusion began, which was about a year old. I could have reloaded it with Ubuntu 9.10, released in October 2009, which runs very well on my laptop. I had already heard good news about the next Ubuntu release, 10.04, dubbed Lucid Lynx. Ubuntu 10.04 is still only available as a Beta version for testing and is not recommended for a production computer in daily use. Having had good experiences with previous Ubuntu Betas, I decided to take the plunge and move forward, not backwards. Downloading Beta 10.04, I burned a copy of the operating system onto a CD and within 30 minutes I was looking at the trial version of Ubuntu's "latest and best operating system". It booted right up and seems to have given my old desktop a dose of vitamins. The new version 10.04 launches noticeably faster......middle of paper......ntu, it can be a very rewarding experience. If you're willing to invest in yourself, then the learning process can be as much fun as the feeling of accomplishment as you master any new skill or operating system. From my experience, this new version of Ubuntu, 10.04 - Lucid Lynx - may be the version of Ubuntu that changes my mind about the minimum skill level most people need to use Linux. The Ubuntu system of regular improvements, delivered on schedule, has provided great advances in usability. This LTS version was created for stability. Throughout the process, the Lucid Lynx version of Ubuntu has been easy to use and shows great potential for wider acceptance by hardware manufacturers and consumers. I may be a little behind in updating the three websites I help maintain, but I have a new stable computing platform that I can use to catch up.