Ubuntu Linux 8.04

Can anyone here give me the pros & cons of this system?
Can it be used as a stand alone operating system?
Is it compatible with most external devices,camera,printers, scanners ,etc ?
The reason that I'm asking is I have a older computer that has a slower processor, and I am trying to get more mileage out of it. I have installed more memory and WIFI to link it to my main computer and DSL .This computer is going to be in my wife's sewing room so she can do all of her sewing stuff on the net . .........and not on the main computer!
Thanks in advance.
Kenny

http://www.ubuntu.com/

I run Ubuntu 8.04 as my main OS. I do have Win Xp also but it almost never gets used. as far as compatibility with devices.. it is compatible with most everything, and most any printer from HP, will be set up when you plug in the printer and turn it on.

to get the WIFI to work, you will need to plug the computer into an ethernet cable and connect to the internet. then run synaptic and search for broadcom drivers, install them. then go into the restricted drivers application ( on the administration tab ) and activate that driver.. and it will work then.. oh you will need to add the medibuntu repository before synaptic will find the broadcom drivers.. just go here, the instructions are right there http://www.medibuntu.org/... also when installing, make 2 partitions, use EXT3 file system.. 1 has to be / for the root partition, and then the other ( this is actually optional, but IMO a nessesety ) make /home, and what that does is makes the user and configuration files on the seperate partition.. so when you upgrade to a newer version, nothing is lost.

the only cons I can think of, is, when using WINE for windows software. some fonts are not recognized by linux, so they come up as a jumbled mess sometimes and the software is unusable in some cases

I use 8.04 Ubuntu, but I have installed KDE 3.59, which is nicer but GNOME desktop will work better on a older system. you might even be interested in Xbuntu, which uses XFCE desktop, which is even smaller and better on a slower machine

Ubuntu is a good operating system for most people. However, there are a few issues that you might want to consider. Driver support is not as strong as with windows. Cameras can have issues, sound drivers, ect. Also, Wine is sketchy on some programs, especially games. There have been advancements, but its not 100%. However, as for virus resistance, spyware, ect. Its better than MacOS. And if you hate paying for software, welcome home:D