Check that you have enough memory and disk space on your laptop to installa second operating system


Utilities to create bootable thumb drive from which you can run Ubuntu without
     installing or choose to install it

     https://unetbootin.github.io/
          can make persistent (i.e., settings are saved to thumb drive)

     https://rufus.ie/en_IE.html
          faster than Unetbootin, but can't make persistent


Downloading the .iso from a Ubuntu mirror
     https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
         click "see our alternative downloads" to find nearest mirror site
         http://ubuntu-releases.cs.umn.edu/

     long-term support vs. newest release 
     different flavors 
     64-bit PC (AMD64) desktop image (unless you have a 32-bit laptop)


Creating the bootable USB stick
    https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-windows#0

Trying out and then installing Ubuntu
    Must boot your laptop from the USB thumb drive
          It may do that if you insert the thumb drive while the laptop is turned off and then turn it on
          If not, you will have to set the boot order in the BIOS involves turning the laptop off, then pressing the appropriate key just after you turn it back on
              Esc, Del, F10, F11, F12 are the most commonly used

    https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-install-ubuntu-desktop#0


Accessing UI Linux network from Linux laptop

    ssh -X -C -p 40 <hawkid>@linux.divms.uiowa.edu
           gets you to a fastx gateway machine
           -X      forward X windows (so you can use graphics)
           -C      compress transmission
           -p 40   come in through port 40 instead of default port 22