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Linux
Open Source Software is software developed by a worldwide community of programmers. The source code for these programs is openly shared and no single person holds exclusive rights to the programs. Most of these applications are protected by the Gnu Public License (or similar licenses), a license that protects the users right to use the source, alter the program, and copy and/or redistribute the program at will.
That means that if you are in possession of one copy of the software, you may copy it and install it on as many machines as you wish and even share it with others, without any need for concern over additional licenses. Most opensource software packages can be freely downloaded over the internet, yet many are also available for purchase on CD. To clarify, the software is never for sale, but developers and distributors may offer to copy the software to CD for you and ship it to you, and some distributors will offer manuals and paid support for their products (whereas, one can usually find adequate free support online through the community of developers).
In effect, if you make such purchases, you are paying for the media and the distributor's labor and expense of packaging and shipping. Linux is a Unix-based opensource computer operating system and a free or low cost alternative to costly proprietary (ie. MS) products. Once thought to be the sole domain of bespectacled computer geeks, Linux has now developed to the point of user-friendliness, and richness in available software packages, that it is used on home, school, and business computers around the world.
Also, because of its greater stability and security (it is not vulnerable to windows viruses), Linux is widely used on web servers. It is also used in embedded devices, cell phones, atms, point of sales systems and other computer systems requiring stability and security.
For more information and informative links see the School-Library.net Linux info page.
That means that if you are in possession of one copy of the software, you may copy it and install it on as many machines as you wish and even share it with others, without any need for concern over additional licenses. Most opensource software packages can be freely downloaded over the internet, yet many are also available for purchase on CD. To clarify, the software is never for sale, but developers and distributors may offer to copy the software to CD for you and ship it to you, and some distributors will offer manuals and paid support for their products (whereas, one can usually find adequate free support online through the community of developers).
In effect, if you make such purchases, you are paying for the media and the distributor's labor and expense of packaging and shipping. Linux is a Unix-based opensource computer operating system and a free or low cost alternative to costly proprietary (ie. MS) products. Once thought to be the sole domain of bespectacled computer geeks, Linux has now developed to the point of user-friendliness, and richness in available software packages, that it is used on home, school, and business computers around the world.
Also, because of its greater stability and security (it is not vulnerable to windows viruses), Linux is widely used on web servers. It is also used in embedded devices, cell phones, atms, point of sales systems and other computer systems requiring stability and security.
For more information and informative links see the School-Library.net Linux info page.
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GeneDouglas |
Latest page update: made by GeneDouglas
, May 4 2007, 9:50 PM EDT
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Keyword tags:
computer
GNU
Linux
open source
software
technology
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| abaldwin | Ubuntu | 0 | May 4 2007, 6:58 AM EDT by abaldwin | ||
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Thread started: May 4 2007, 6:58 AM EDT
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Linux has become popular enough that Dell is now offering systems with Ubunut Linux pre-installed (no windows).
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