Ubuntu! *clap clap clap*

I have been avoiding this post for a long time, but it is finally time that I tell you about what I believe to be the most promising future of computers. If you know me personally, I have probably already talked your ear off about this subject, but I avoided posting about it here in Double Stamp because I wanted some more time to get my facts straight.

Before we go any further, ask yourself these questions:

• Would you rather pay hundreds of dollars for your computer system (software), or get it for free?
  
• Are you tired of buying a Windows computer, only to find that your new system already has a bunch of crap installed that you never wanted?
• Do you get really annoyed when it takes 5 minutes for your computer to completely load, even though it seemed to work fine 3 months ago. Are you tired of all those automatic start-up programs taking over?
• Are you tired of having to buy, install and run anti-virus and spyware software?
• Are you tired of being manipulated into using only Apple products, just because you bought an iPod?
• If someone offered you a solution to all of these problems for FREE, would you be interested??? Read on.
  

Most of you have probably heard of Linux before, but haven't had much experience. In the past, Linux was an operating system used mainly on servers (computers that run in the background), or on computer geek machines. Over the past 5 years, however, Linux has become very user friendly and powerful for both the geeks and typical users.

Linux comes in all shapes and sizes, and each variant of the system is called a distribution. It's like a hand in a glove. Linux is the hand, the part that is the core of the motion, and the distribution is the glove. You choose a distribution based on what you need to do. If your objective is to stay warm, you choose a warm glove, and if you want to hit a hole in one, you use a golf glove.

Ubuntu (pronounced "ooo-boon-too") is the name of my favorite Linux distribution. It's purpose is to be very user-friendly and powerful for people like you and me. With Ubuntu, you can basically do everything that you can do with another operating system like Windows or Mac. For example,

• Browse the internet
  
• Create/edit office documents for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, etc.
• Use email, calendar, task lists...
  
• Edit your photos: crop, resize, fix colors, contrast, etc.
• Play games, chat online via IM, and much, much more.

Now, why would you even want to try Ubuntu?

• It's is legally 100% free and always will be. So are all the programs you need. No more paying hundreds for Windows or Mac software! There are thousands of great programs to choose from in Ubuntu; it's like a free shopping spree for software.
  
• You can do basically everything that you can do with Windows or Mac, and there are many things that it can do exclusively.
• It runs very clean; no problems with programs automatically loading on start-up and hijacking your memory.
• No need for anti-virus or spyware software that slow your computer down and cost money.
• It is extremely easy to use, and is very secure.
• It is easy enough for a beginner to use, yet powerful enough for computer geeks to love it. My mom, who just started using computers, can use Ubuntu with no problem.
  

You are hopefully starting to get the idea. Now that I have talked it up, how about a little tour of the computer I am using to write this article. Let's begin by looking at the desktop.


Check this out, I will now "flip" my desktop and work on a fresh space. When I want to come back, I'll just flip back. It's like working on the sides of a 3D cube. This allows me to manage my windows without getting too cluttered.


Where did that one window go? Oh, let me just flip through them visually.


Now I want to download a new program. I'll just open the automatic software installer that allows me to simply place a check mark next to the programs that I want. It then downloads and installs for me! If I want to get rid of the program, I just un-check the box.


Are you "sold" yet? If so, you don't have to pay a dime for this system. You can download or order CD's to install Ubuntu for free. Just go to www.ubuntu.com and look for the download links. If you want to try it out, you can do so without even actually installing it on your computer by running it from the CD. You can also install it in a way to keep your old operating system intact, enabling you to choose which system to run when you boot up. If you want to try it out, but need some help getting started, post up in the comments and I will help you personally.

Ubun-tu *clap clap clap* Ubun-tu *clap clap clap* Ubun-tu *clap clap clap*

The Open Source Revolution

If you use the internet and new software frequently, you have probably come across the term “open-source.” If you haven't heard of it, you need to know so keep reading. Some people think that “open-source” means that you can download and install software for free, without ever having to pay money to use it, while others think it means that anyone can change a piece of software at their will. While there is some truth to both of these concepts, this article will teach you the essence of open-source software and why it's good news for you as an end-user.

Most companies keep the computer code used to create their programs (called source code) secret. By keeping their source code proprietary and secret, they prevent other companies or individuals from stealing their work. By locking the public and other companies out, however, these companies also lock themselves in from community collaboration.

"Open-source," means that the code for a program is freely available to anyone who would like to have it. Anyone is allowed to download the code, change it, and use it however they like, with little or no licensing issues to deal with. The trade-off is that any changes that you make to your copy of the software, must remain open to anyone as well. Some companies sell their open-source software, and others give it away for free, making money from support services. Let's look at an example:

Let's say your in the business of flying to the moon. My company, Intergalactic Programming, has been working on an open-source program to control space-ship computers. One of the features of your space ship is automatic moon landing, but my program does not currently provide that. Instead of starting from scratch, you download the code to my program, and add the automatic moon landing feature. The open-source model now requires you to make public your changes, so my company can now integrate the automatic landing feature upon my next software release (if we decide we want to)! With the open-source model, innovation is nurtured, not squashed inside the walls of one company.

Wow, that means that we both came out with benefits. You saved time by using my program, and my program became better because of you! Imagine what happens when companies and programmers from across the entire world collaborate on an open-source project, we all win. Is there a single company that would be able to keep up with this kind of growth? I think not. If you ask me, Apple and Microsoft will be in a lot of trouble in about 5-10 years, as soon as the general public starts to understand and support open-source projects.

You can already be a beneficiary of open-source programs. Here are some of my favorites that you can download for FREE:

• Firefox: The best web browser out. If you've tried Firefox, you know how great open-source can be.
  
• The GIMP: A great photo editing application. Instead of forking over hundreds of dollars for Photoshop, try this for free.
• Open Office: An office suite comparable (better, in my opinion) to Microsoft Office. Contains: word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, database, drawing, and more.
• Songbird: Great for you online music junkies. It's a mix of a music player and web browser.
  
• Ubuntu: An entire operating system based on Linux. With Ubuntu, you do not need Microsoft Windows or Apple's Mac OS.