Why opensource?

Some of the techs over at SouthernPhried have been using Linux SuSE with positive results. Ashby Rhett Culpepper, III, Esq., is implementing the latest version of FreeBSD. While working on other machines I've been downloading and installing Linux Mandrake 10.1 (an older version of Linux Mandriva) on an older PC built from parts of several different junked computers. This machine is running a 400 Celeron processor and the RAM had to be increased to 256megs before it responded at a comfortable rate. I use Linux SuSE 9.2 daily on my laptop. It dual boots with Windows XP. I like it. I like it a lot. Mandrake looks promising as well. BTW, these alternatives have been around for years. Why all this fuss?

Stability and security. Check out LinuxISO for a great explanation of Linux. Please let me say that most folks don't need to run out and start trying to REPLACE their favorite version of Windows with an opensource operating system. Too many applications won't run natively in the Windows alternatives. It does bear some consideration though. Here's an interesting article about opensource advantages -> OpenOffice vs Microsoft Office. FreeBSD and most Linux flavors have a GUI (graphic user interface) called KDE. Their browser is called Konqueror and the spyware cretins haven't started their abuse there. Hopefully laws will be enacted that will put a bounty on anyone in the spyware business. This will alleviate many problems.

Beware that any of these non-Windows factions can turn like a worm and go enterprise. Linux Red Hat did exactly that back a few years ago. Disappointing. It looks like Linux SuSE (owned by Novell) may be headed that way and Mandriva is practically there. Hence, my constant quest for different flavors. FreeBSD seems to be the most likely candidate to stay "free." It is more difficult to install, but it does offer a lot once up and running. Also, FreeBSD will run on older Pentium I CPUs. So don't trash that old Windows 95/98 PC just yet. Most versions of these operating systems can be downloaded from the internet and CD/DVD sales are offered at minimal prices on many sites. If you decide on an opensource adventure it is best to start with a second machine dedicated to the new operating system. Dual booting with your present Windows machine is NOT a good idea for the non-initiated.

My next "fun" project is to download and install Linux Debian. In the meantime, it's back to work and maybe watching the antics of Arnold, opossumus germanicus austriabodicus, for a few days.

"Who is General Failure, and why is he reading my hard disk?"
-Steven Wright