- Ubuntu Server 8.04 is extensible enough to be used in enterprise-scale implementations as well as personal use. Its slowly catching on and replacing Debian systems at my company.

- Long Term Support (LTS) means it will have security updates for at least 5 years, which means it will be supported at least until April 2013.

- There is only one version of Ubuntu Server, which is completely free for enterprise as well as personal use. Optional paid support is available through Canonical.

If you need a stable operating system for either your home or business Ubuntu is the system of choice. But why? you ask well Ubuntu detects most existing hardware on todays desktops and laptops. Ubuntu also has a number of bundled software applications such as OpenOffice, Gimp, Rhythmbox music player, FireFox and many more. Ubuntu is also very easy to use and to learn. It is also extremely stable and secure like all versions of Linux. Sure Ubuntu does have it's faults since it does not use Windows designed software but even this too has a solution in Ubuntu which has software alternatives or applications such as WINE to help most users in this area. Also the best part of all is the great community it has around it. If you need tech support or simply how to get things done someone in the community is always willing to help. Now all this applies to both Home and Business users. But the best part is that businesses can benefit from this because Ubuntu offers a wide range of solutions that are already part of the vast Linux server ecosystem. A few examples I can think of are email server applications, collaboration tools, desktop and network administration tools etc... So give it a shot! I use it for work and home on a daily basis.

it is my favourite os, it has revived gnome and today is very friendly

I have liked everything about Ubuntu in my recent tries with it.

My only problem has been that it needs access to the internet to download and install the proprietary apps/packages.

The install will not be an issue, but there must be a simpler or offline way of installing the packages. If only these same online downloads could be packaged in a single CD it would be easy to install them on systems which cant or are not connected to the internet.

Any ways of doing it?

I use Ubuntu 7.10 as my primary web server distribution. Packages are modern and kept nicely up-to-date - no sitting around on PHP4 without popular extensions because someone hasn't gotten around to adding things to the package repository.

Installation is quick, and even easy with the well-constructed installer coupled with apt-get once you're done. I did experience issues with a SCSI CD-ROM drive, but had the same issue with other Linux distributions. Thankfully, Ubuntu's Minimal CD let me install by booting and downloading all the packages of Ubuntu's servers - nice!

Thus far it has been rock solid and very pleasant to work with.