Open Source as an Alternative
Linux is the basis for a vast array of other operating systems like Debian, RedHat and Ubuntu.
Ubuntu can be configured to have a similar look to Windows |
Developed since 2004, Ubuntu’s gained a significant following because of its ease of use. It is downloadable from the internet or available with a support contract for a few dollars.
Paying for free software might sound strange, but the licence under which this software is distributed does allow companies to make money out of it.
It is worth remembering that the programmers creating these open source alternatives are competing directly with Windows, so it is often worth making the desktop environment look familiar to Windows, in order to ease the transition.
Apart from Microsoft’s proprietary technology and brands, Ubuntu in particular seems to emulate the Windows experience as closely as possible.
So, if you are buying a new machine or upgrading an old one, a Linux-based operating system is well worth considering, especially if you are on a tight budget. [more...]
Source: BBC
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Debian, Linux, RedHat, ubuntu
