Woohoo! Canonical just released Ubuntu 8.04! Ubuntu is one of the most incredible free pieces of software that I have ever encountered.

Ubuntu is basically a free alternative to Microsoft Windows. While it doesn’t allow you to run Microsoft Office, it does include OpenOffice.org. A completely free, robust alternative to Microsoft Office. It even comes with a great instant messaging client - pidgin and a web browser that is much more secure than Internet Explorer - Firefox.

For a huge portion of individuals, Ubuntu will do everything you need your computer to do out of the box. For everyone else, you may have to do a bit of work, but you’ll be glad you did. :).

If you want to try it without messing your computer up, check out wubi. It lets you install Ubuntu while leaving windows completely intact, and is incredibly easy to do. Then next time you buy a computer avoid paying the Microsoft Tax and buy a cheap laptop or desktop from Dell with Ubuntu pre installed.

—Zach

Well, I ran across a blog post from Mr. debtbeater about a new money transfer service called “Revolution Money Exchange.”

It seems interesting, after a bit more reading it turns out that their running the business as a loss leader for their RevolutionCard, a visa/mastercard alternative. Basically they think that if people use their service for money transfer, they’ll be more apt to use their Credit Card, and the more people use their credit card, the more $$$ they make.

Basically I’m signing up, connecting it to my bank account, and transferring the $25 signing bonus to my personal bank account. Free $25 ;). If other people start using this, then I may actually use it to send/receive money. As it stands now it’s a free $25.

If you want to sign up, follow my referral link which gives you a free $25, and me a free $10.

—Zach