What is Linux?
Linux, or more correctly, GNU/Linux, is an operating system that
runs on most known types of computers, including (of course) the
popular Intel-based PCs that most people use, and Macintoshes, right up
to large mainframes and supercomputers.
GNU/Linux is sweeping
rapidly throughout the computer world, from individual users through to
small companies, large corporations and government departments.
GNU/Linux
is based on Open Source software - software for which the source code
is freely available. The license conditions for OSS allow you to view
and modify the software, and share your changes freely.
Amongst the many advantages of OSS are:
- Price - total cost of ownership of GNU/Linux based systems is less than half that of proprietary systems like Windows. Often, it's even a quarter or less.
- Security - GNU/Linux systems are far less vulnerable to crackers than proprietary systems.
- Versatility - with GNU/Linux, you have the freedom to mix and match software as you choose, also to change any software as you see fit.
- Transparency - with the source code available, you can satisfy yourself that your programs are not doing anything undesirable without your consent (not always true for proprietary Windows systems - for example, Windows keeps secret records of everything you do on your computer)
- Empowerment - with GNU/Linux, no company can gradually encroach onto your rights and privacy.
There are thousands of excellent websites relating to GNU/Linux around the world. I list just a few of them here:
- New Zealand Open Source Society - www.nzoss.org.nz
- New Zealand Open Source Vendor Group - www.openz.org
- Linux.org
- Linux for Newbies
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