Installing ubuntu onto a modern machine with 256MB+ ram and a CD drive using the pretty graphical installer. is fine, its easy, its quick.
Installing Ubuntu to a laptop HD in a usb caddy with a machine with an 8800 card making sure not to modify the main PCs HD at all, using a text setup program, then botting the 8 yr old laptop with the HD back in from a boot floppy, priceless.