I had the good fortune of discovering the ‘Microsoft Genuine Advantage’ about a year ago, and I'm pleased as punch. Why? Because the "Genuine Advantage" caused me to take a closer look at GNU/Linux operating systems. Specifically, Ubuntu
and Debian.
Ubuntu's current release, the Hardy Heron, has been in use for just over six weeks, and
the silence in the media is deafening.
In any other line of business such silence might be construed as less than favorable, but
in this instance, silence really is golden. - How could anything
like this ever be allowed to see the light of day. And how did such a
complete operating system materialize in four short years?
Ubuntu is not just
a basic system, but a state of the art, full-featured operating system for work, study, and play.
Based on Debian Gnu/Linux (the Gnu component of which just celebrated its 25th birthday).
The newest Long Term
Support (LTS) version, the Hardy Heron, is available for downloading
from Ubuntu.com,
and IT reviewers are reporting another success for Canonical
and the Ubuntu development teams.
Are there bugs? Heck Yeah! It wouldn't be a computer OS if there
weren't any. Are there any critical bugs? One! The screen won't rotate to the left on a particular video-card/motherboard combo!
The Hardy Heron is awesome! But
beware, (Caution! Danger! Turn Back!), Linux is not for everyone.
Not dissuaded? - Download a free copy of this great OS from Ubuntu.com. No CD-burner? Go to Sourceforge.net and get WUBI. Can't download? - Order a free copy of the Hardy Heron from Shipit. Want it sooner rather than later? Order CDs or DVDs from the Ubuntu Shop, and get some extra copies for your friends while you're at it.
The great feature, (for those stuck in an MS Windows environment), is the new WUBI loader, which installs Ubuntu as if it were a Windows application. This means no hard drive
partitioning, and the system operates from within MS Windows as a Windows file. (Note: This method works quite well, but in my humble opinion is not as good as a direct install to hard disk).
P.S. If you're having a tough time with the idea that something this
good is free, for $12.99, you can order the Sazeit.com "I don't believe in Free" edition of Ubuntu. [Donate a 12.99 or more to this site, and receive a Hardy Heron CD or DVD. - Include your shipping information and preference for CD or DVD on the donation form.
Alternately, if you're the (wo)man who has everything, get ye to the Ubuntu store, and order their new 4 Gigabyte Ubuntu USB memory-stick. Ubuntu-live is pre-loaded, so you can run the OS from the stick without installing ($21.20US).
Who should use Ubuntu, or any other ‘Free’ operating system, and why?
“ I am what I am because of who we all are. ” - Definition of Ubuntu
Ubuntu and other ‘Free’ operating systems are available to everyone.
With Free/Libre software, you’re allowed to own, use, distribute, and modify your system and software as you see fit. (All of which is a big no-no with proprietary software). Until recently, use of Free operating systems required a minimum level of technical know-how, but modern systems, such as Ubuntu, are as consumer-friendly as Windows or Macintosh, and on many levels out-perform proprietary software. Want another opinion? This Ubuntu testimonial sums it up nicely.
Open Source and Free software development embodies free-market ideals at a base level, encouraging innovation and constant improvement.
Through liberal licensing, open source and Free software vendors encourage learning, knowledge, and ability; - A fantastic ethos.
The Ubuntu operating system is released in several versions, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, Kubuntu and Edubuntu.
The Edubuntu version is intended for younger users and educational environments. A variety of educational applications, some in the form of games, as well as more sophisticated programs intended to introduce learners to a full range of subjects from reading and writing basics to higher level maths, and sciences.
Lisa Hoover's write-up on Linux.com details some of her experiences with home-schooling and the use of Edubuntu.
The Ubuntu operating system is inherently safer than its proprietary counterpart, MS Windows. The default install provides such a high level of protection from viruses, trojans and malware, that no additional security programs are required. I suppose it's paradoxical and slightly ironic that the proprietary OS locks the user out, and allows cyber-crime in, while the Free/open source OS is locked-down to intruders and completely transparent to its owner/user.
Ubuntu
is a full featured open source operating system that's being described as “the Human-Friendly OS”. Ubuntu is available as a free download, and has become the No#1 choice for desktops, and Laptops.
Open Source
is a term referring to software licensing agreeements, by which applications, and their source code are publicly and readily available for study, modification, and development. Though it is not a requirement of the agreement, open source applications are frequently made available for free (gratis) to the public, 'Free', in the context of the open source licence, refers to 'free' public access to the source-code, and not 'free' as in “free-beer”.
Mark Shuttleworth
is the founder of the Ubuntu project. He is actively involved in the on-going development of the Ubuntu operating system.
Canonical Ltd
is Ubuntu’s commercial Sponsor. Based in Europe, the company provides technical support and helps ensure Ubuntu’s availability and accessibility to the public.
The Debian Project
is an organization of individuals with the common goal of creating a ‘free’ operating system, (Debian GNU/Linux). GNU usually refers to applications for Linux systems, and Linux the operating system. There are several variants, or derivatives, of Debian GNU/Linux, Ubuntu being one of them.