On my latest computer (a tiny one the size of a paperback book which I plan to take on whatever new summer adventure I choose) I've decided to try to use only open source stuff on this nifty computer... so I have the Linux operating system, Firefox as the browser, the Sun programs for word processing and spreadsheets etc...
So far I am FAR more impressed with the open source programs that I am with Bill Gates' stuff.. it is leaner, meaner, faster and easily used. Why have I PAID for stuff that is worse than this free stuff? I may change all my computers over...
P.S. Just in case you are tempted to download Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8. (Beta) like they keep tempting us to do... I'd say WAIT as long as you can... On one of my other computers installed it and at least half the time it doesn't present most pages right.. then to boot when I tried to revert to 7.0 it wouldn't let me go back.... typical of the sort of Microsoft arrogance that makes me want to go completely open source.
8 comments:
stick it to the man!
I love my MAC... oh, yeah it does run on a Linux-like architecture.
Funny to hear a slam on Microsoft from the only guy left on the planet who still makes fun of Mac! ;) Dang applesauce...I believe is the phrase. BUT you do have me wondering about your open source stuff. I tried NEOOFFICE for a while but it was way too slow and cumbersome. If you think it is fast and slick I need to check it out...
DAVE WARD, Well you Appleheads have convinced me to at least date her... my new ocmputer on the way here as an office computer is a Mac--does that make me trilingual?
Way to go! I have been using linux on an older laptop and love it. I like the price and there are so many distro's that I can pick one that I like without paying for something I cannot return. Currently, I am using MacPuppy on an old Dell P2 400mhz and using open office and, a program called Bible Desktop that has tons of downloads, all open source. I use this laptop to go to a local bookstore and work, and the neat thing is the people don't care what OS I am using. I have given new life to a bunch of old computers laying around the house.
I almost went with the Eee PC but went with the new Acer Aspire One model... 400 bucks including tax! Linux, Mozilla, Sun Microsystems... same as yours!
Plus if you get handy with it all you can customize it however you want. It has been great for class and the webcam is great since I put skype on it and have even used it to video-chat with a friend in England.
And of course you've forgotten the best part (the Tony Campolo in you will jump for joy): by using open source you are contributing to an economic system that allows wealth to grow locally. In other words, because the source code and patents aren't locked in some vault in the USA, local technology industries are able to develop in emerging markets. In the proprietary world (which includes Apple), becoming an entrepreneur requires larger seed funding than open source. The end result of prevalent open source usage is that economies in developing countries are actually able to build indigenous industry.
Pays less, get more *and* fight poverty; it doesn't get much better than that!
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