Linux

Linux is the operating system for computers that makes it into something useful. It connects the hardware to the programmes that play games, do accounts or whatever. It was started by Linus Torvalds, a Swede who wanted Unix but could not afford that kind of money. He collaborated with a lot of other programmers to get something they liked.

It comes in different dialects or perhaps flavours is a better word and the flavour of choice for mere mortals is Ubuntu. One satisfying thing about Ubuntu is the price. It is a lot less than Windows in fact it is 100% less than Windows. At $0.00 per copy the price has to be as good as it gets short of paying people to take it away.

Now it has been written up by the New York Times so it has really arrived. The Times tells us that:-
QUOTE
Microsoft had an estimated 10,000 people working on Vista, its newest desktop operating system, for five years. The result of this multibillion-dollar investment has been a product late to market and widely panned.

Canonical, meanwhile, releases a fresh version of Ubuntu every six months, adding features that capitalize on the latest advances from developers and component makers like Intel. The company’s model centers on outpacing Microsoft on both price and features aimed at new markets.

“It feels pretty clear to me that the open process produces better stuff,” Mr. Shuttleworth said. Such talk from a man willing to finance software for the masses — and by the masses — inspires those who see open source as more of a cause than a business model. 
UNQUOTE
Not a bad endorsement. Gates is widely loathed by men who understand his offerings; shoddy goods, grossly over priced and an abuse of monopoly power. Yes Vista is vile. A write up from Peter Gutmann who is seriously in the business tells us that it might be the longest suicide note in history
PS Vista is on the skids. Microsoft are selling Windows 7 on the basis that it be like XP.
PPS You can now buy laptops with XP and Linux so you can ease your way into the operating system of the future.
PPPS Gates is down to his last $50 billion or so.

 

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Updated on 15/08/2009 08:20