Why Try Linux ?

Depending on the pros and cons of Linux should you try it out ?    There are various stories of myth of computer experts whose parents or friends told them to install the newest Microsoft operating system (O.S.) on their computer - either Microsoft (Windowed) Vista or Windows XP whereupon the young person installed  a popular Linux distro - Ubuntu Linux or something similar.   The users were reported to have marveled at the beauty and simplicity of the operating system at how bright and smart Bill Gates and the Microsoft team were.

The question becomes - how long would this situation last if there was not tech support in terms of the neighbor / relative / teenager or other family member geek.  Would the linux continued to run smoothly and troublefree without 24/7 support.  Windows may not be perfect but at least its meant for the masses in terms of overall durability and the numbers games.  That is most of the windows components be it the wireless utlity or whaterver are like vanila and very scaled down.  1/10 of 1 % of windows users is more than a deluge of calls.  It only took the smallest , insignificant problem in a car line to be tranferred into real life statistics of auto users to be called a lemon.  Its similar to microsoft windows .  Its been field tested to a great degree- often users , who purchase the product , are beta testers to the greatest extent.  By the time most computers users receive and use their copies of Microsoft windows its been battle tested and in most cases will run - or if not in most cases its the knob behind the keyboard.

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Linux - the Open Source “Free” Operating System
Linux Multi Platform
The Concept of Open Source Software
The Beauty of Being Able to Rework the Linux Code
The Linux Community
Flexibility , Customization in Linux
Help and Support within the Linux Software Communities
GNU General Public license of Linux
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Why Try Linux ?

After all - What is the Linux Stuff ?



GNU General Public license of Linux

Linus Torvalds owns the specific “Linux” trademark itself.  The kernel of the Linux computer operating system is distributed under the GNU General Public licence.  This document has been written  by the “Free Software Foundation” and prevents anyone from prevents anyone and everyone from restricting the use of any and all software to which it applies.  You can charge a fee or give away such licenced material, but you cannot prevent anyone from giving it away.  Another very important condition of the liscence you are legally obligated to include or provide the actual source code on request or as a matter of course.

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Help and Support within the Linux Software Communities

The operating system of Linux and its distos ( distributions or flavors)  , and as well the related software is updated on a regular and ongoing basis.   If something does not work , or needs to be tailored to your specific purposes then  there are no shortage of places where “experts”  or “Linux advisors”  can either point you in the direction of a fix or even point you to actual manufacturer or supplier of the specific Linux distro involved.

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Flexibility , Customization in Linux

The freedom to copy and customize is one of the most popular aspects of the Linux computer operating systems.  For those who like to tweak , or who are involved in software development Linux offers tremendous potential and greatest flexibilities.  There is also the support of a large Linux community online and often in your own neighborhood.  The whole basis between open source is the concept of sharing leading to product development , enhancement and cutomization for particular or even general purposes.   There is always someone in the Linux community to help you and guide you towards proficiency in Linux or a solution to your specific needs , problems and concerns.

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The Linux Community

The “freedom”  to copy and customize is one of the most popular aspects of Linux and Linux based operating systems and software.  For those who like to endlessly tinker and tweak with software , or for those involved in software development Linux more than offers enormous potential and challenge.  There is also a large Linux community that offers  as well as shares its knowledge freely.

The operating system  and related software of the Linux community is updated regularly and consistently  .  However if something does not work , there is a bug  or a specific problem or glitch in the combination’s of software that you are using ,  then there are no shortage - indeed many different places that  you can go to seek a “fix”  for the issues , problems and concerns.  This is as opposed to only being only to go or being hamstung by one official group or department.  Cannot get the answer in one place.  Then simply go to the next one or another.

There is more than one way of looking at the availability and resources of the Linux community.

Some will say  that a commercial operation can provide a level of and depth of support that a network of part time hobbyists will never be able to match.  Yet on the other side - its often the expertise and differing viewpoints that make all the difference in solving software problems and developing new features.  It is as if there are whole new software departments of the companies , not hamstrung by bureaucratic  as well as corporate policies , committee approvals to persevere with or limit release.  In addition the developers are not held with legal niceties.  Its at the risk of the user to try and evaluate the software.  Its not as if a company can be held liable for bugs or production delays from software.

There is a case of one company of ill repute.  Ace Employment Services headed up by one moron  - a Mr. Kirk Stephens.    In one case Mr. Stephens refused payment to a more than reputable vendor , all because, and only because Mr. Stephens tried to hold the vendor responsible for the delays of his business.   Talk about a lack of gratitude or blaming others for one’s own actions or lack of action.  Mr. Stephens went as far to insist “Hey, we had someone here check…… 58 copies of remote access VNC software….”.  All that can be said is “what a moron and stupid person”.

Getting back to the benefits and depth of product development support with the “Open Source
community versus standard commercial software.  Early on in the development of open source software a situation developed where IBM , the market leader itself , became involved with the Apache project - the Apache web server project. Indeed when the leader of the IBM ecommerce web developer team first was informed and explained of the Apache project - all he knew of Apache - was the Apache of cowboys and Indians.  How does it work he asked - who supports it ?   The answer from the software engineers of the IBM project was that “it just seemed to work”.

When the IBM software engineers were asked to meet and evaluate the non -corporate software developers of Apache they reported back that “these fellows are good , real good”.  Interestingly the first batches of software developed and written by IBM , then the computer software leader with the greatest amount of resource s behind it were “sent back”  due to not meeting the accepted standards of quality and integrity of software product.

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The Beauty of Being Able to Rework the Linux Code

Try being able to rework or add to some leading operating system software.  It is unlikely the owner and trade mark right holders are going to give you the ability to monkey under the hood with the software.  To add to it , to add certain features or rework the software.  They cannot be blamed - not only from the stance of the profit motive.  By doing you will you will a measure of inconsistencies , and a changing of standards.  Standards cannot be assured  or necessarily maintained for the use or advice of other users of the software.

Not so with linux.  The Linux operating system and much that has been written to run under it , has been supplied to users,  complete with its ’source code”.  What this means is that anyone with the skill, skills , time and inclination can “tweak” or rework the software for their purposes or use.

These changes or additions to the software must be made “freely available” to all.  That is the deal.  It can be at no charge , or a reasonable charge but it must be provided under the open source software agreements.

In the opposite case of “commercial software”   the licensing agreement will commonly and usually state , that  changing the source code is “strictly forbidden”.    These terms will apply to most or all of the commercially available software that you have purchased or that will come with your computer that is not “Linux”

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The Concept of Open Source Software

What is open source software and why is having such an important influence in the software and computer industries ?
Open source means that the original code ,written in a programming language that anyone with the knowledge of that programming computer language can read and is known as “the source code” , and is available to anyone .   The significance of this and what this means is the code can be examined and even altered by anyone.  There are no legal limits on this and is strictly allowed.

However “open source”  does not mean “free’ of charge”.  In many cases the software is available at no charge - but not always and every time.  There are strict conditions which apply to the specific software .  The conditions will be listed and detailed in the license which accompanies the software.  These conditions hold legal weight and must be adhered to , by penalty of law.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=a6E&oi=definer&q=define:open+source+software&defl=en

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