Way OT-
Ubuntu is a Gnu/Linux operating system designed for the home desktop user and completely free in terms of money and philosophy. This is by far one of the easiest linux distos to use while also being able to grow with you as you learn more.
The desktop linux scene is in something of an evolution with new software like beryl/compiz(OSX/Vista style visual effects) a plethora of great music players, fluendo proprietary gstreamer plugins, and a number of great distros(Suse, Ubuntu, Fedora, etc..) promising to make the linux desktop experience on par with that of OSX(many feel that linux has surpassed windows)
Ubuntu is an african word that, I think, means "humanity towards others" or something like that