I've sent away for the new version of Ubuntu 8.04, not the Beta version, the complete new version. Will I encounter any problems inserting the CD to update my present Ubuntu 7.10 version and not affect my updates and present additional programs already installed? I get the feeling that when I install the CD, it will start up like a new install and format everything or am I incorrect on that assumption?

As always with an upgrade like that, do a complete backup first!

I've sent away for the new version of Ubuntu 8.04, not the Beta version, the complete new version. Will I encounter any problems inserting the CD to update my present Ubuntu 7.10 version and not affect my updates and present additional programs already installed? I get the feeling that when I install the CD, it will start up like a new install and format everything or am I incorrect on that assumption?
Do you have an internet connection? You could have run a dist upgrade instead of ordering the CD. Though having the CD is definitely a good thing. I'm sure that you can still run the dist upgrade and point it to the cdrom instead of the repositaries on the net using the "apt-cdrom" command. Check the official forums, this is your best bet for everything ubuntu.

Thanks guys for the replies. I already ordered the CD. They say it will be 4 to 6 weeks. Thats OK. I have been reading different forums on Ubuntu new version and there sure are a lot of problems. I'm going to wait a bit before I do anything. I may just do a complete clean install as oppose to just upgrading. I don't want to download the ISO. I heard how long that took for some people. It appears that there are more problems then i ever anticipated. I will just stand by and watch the circus.

Well, you can update directly from ubuntu 7.10. without using the live cd.