Mention open source to most computer users and you’ll receive a blank stare. Talk to a techie and his eyes will light up. For far too long, open source has been the province of the geeks, who havebeen eager to embrace its workings and improve it. But these days, open source is becoming something for everyone.
So what is open source, anyway? It’s software, available to anyone, where the code that makes it run is openly displayed, and often of much better quality than you’ll find in commercially availableware, as people contribute to improve it. Best of all, it’s free to download and distribute.
For several years, open source has been associated with Linux, the PC operating system that was the root of it all. These days, there are literally a few hundred versions of Linux, each called adistro. For a long time, loading it onto your machine was as daunting as the labor of Hercules for the average user, but the new generation of Linux has become very user-friendly. OperatingSystem If you’re a newbie, the place to go for your Linux OS is Ubuntu. The 7.04 version is freely available for PCs and is easy to downloadand set up. More than that, it looks — and is — easy to operate. Yes, it’s like having a car with a transparent hood where you can see all the workings, but don’t let that worry you. Infact, what you’re seeing is essentially just a fascia, and it’s quite easy to swap for another.
Unlike Windows, you’ll find the desktop very clean and surprisingly easy to navigate, and there’s a task bar where you can be notified about updates and security patches. Since open source is verymuch about community, there’s plenty of online help available if you need it.
Ubuntu Screenshot
Software Ok, you’ve got your Linux OS; now, you need software to use with it. A quick search will show that there’s plenty available, covering almost anything you need— and it’s all free to download. Open Office will do everything Microsoft Office can do, and you can even easily exchange documents and work with MS Office users; it’s simple andintuitive for anyone familiar with Microsoft Office (which is most of us). There’s a word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation (read: “Powerpoint”). Open Office is available from the Open Office site, and you can get it in a variety of languages.
Open Office Screenshot
Of course, you also need to be able to browse online, and for that, the open source browser of choice is Firefox. It’s become quite popular even with thosewho aren’t into open source, gradually eroding some of the Internet Explorer market share. The newest version, Firefox 2, is very simple to use and extremely reliable. The download is fast, and youcan add on a Google toolbar if you wish, or use any of the available plug-ins to customize it to your needs. With tabbed browsing and the ability to resume searching sessions, it’s a pleasure to use. To cover all the basics, you’re also going to need open source e-mail. Two excellent options are Thunderbird or Evolution. They’re both desktop, not webmail, clients. Both have great advantages over Outlook (but most things do)…and, of course, they’re free.Evolution has an integrated address book and calendar and promises it will not have viruses or worms.
Evolution Screenshot
No computer these days is complete without a media player and photo editor. And yes, open source has those, too. There are many types available, but you might start with Rhythmbox and F-Spot, respectively.
