The Ubuntu Problem

...is that I think I've accepted it as my default OS now days but it'd causing me problems that I don't want to have, and they are mainly work ones.

I've been using Ubuntu at home now for several months and am very happy with it. The only exception is that I can't watch Arsenal highlights on http://tv.arsenal.com, damm content protection + WMV crap! That means my 'media' machine is Windows; it's the computer with my video and music which is also hooked into my living room TV (sweet!).

However work is another problem. My work machine is a HP Compaq NW9440, a monster of a laptop, and these are the issues I'm facing:

1) Graphics card seems unsupported - this results in the computer freezing from time to time, resulting in the need for a restart (feels like Windows 95 again sometimes). This isn't a problem on my personal Ubuntu based laptop.

2) Microsoft Exchange, mail server - this is used at work, and let's be honest, Outlook is the best companion for Exchange, and the webmail through Firefox sucks. It requires a mixture of Evolution mail client, web mail and Outlook in a virtual. All compromises. No GMail for work unfortunately.

3) No Linux VPN client - means I have to use a virtual to VPN into my work network, again sucks.

4) When I plug a projector/monitor into the laptop, the whole thing barfs, needing a restart. I need to give a presentation next week and I can't do it using this machine - will I need to partition and install Windows just to do a presentation?

5) Livemeeting and Windows Conferencing - both heavily used amongst peers, neither work on Linux.

I want Ubuntu to work for me at work, but I'm struggling at the moment.