Building The Net

Open Source Good, Microsoft Bad…

This seems to be the cry of the hard core Linux and open source community in regards to the next release of Windows. Currently, most of the Linux camps are gearing up for all out war. Being a Linux and Open Source geek, I understand why we all seem to be bracing ourselves for a battle, but I think we might be going over the edge a bit on this one.

Choice is Freedom.

Sometimes I think we forget why we started using open source. In my case, it wasn’t the fact that it was free, and it wasn’t because it was always better, it was because I could fix it if it was broken. It was because I could ask the person who actually wrote the code what they were thinking when they wrote a line that borked my system. I got into open source because it empowered me to control my computing destiny. It gave me the choice to control my computer, which is the ultimate freedom!

Microsoft’s Windows 7 Hype.

We’ve all heard the hype about the latest version of Windows. And I quote: “It’s the best release of Windows ever! They’ve totally reworked the network security model, and have built in the highest level of security yet” and on, and on… This is the same thing we’ve heard from Microsoft every time they release a new version. You would think we would be numb to all this, but the general PC users seem to be eating it up. Now, is it all hype? We really don’t know. Past history tells us that it might be prettier, and it might crash less, but it most likely will waste more resources and require a lot more hardware power then the average user will have on their current desktop.

Open Source Hype.

Most of the computing world believes what Microsoft has told about open source. It goes something like this: “If you run open source you probably are in violation of someones patent or copyright. How can open source be secure if every line of code is available for a hacker to read through it. Who do you call if you need help?” and on, and on… Now, to those of us that live and breathe open source in our business lives, this is total crap… But, many very respected and well educated people believe this view. Why? Because they go to seminars put on by commercial vendors, spread their web of FUD (Fear Uncertainty and Doubt) to perpetuate their stranglehold on the corporate IT machine.

Making sense of the muck…

Let’s look at the real questions the the average home/corporate user is asking:

• Will I have to upgrade all my computers to Windows 7 if I want to stay with a Microsoft OS?
• If I switch to an Open Source OS, will my current software work?
• If I stay with Windows, will all my current software still work?
• What skills will I need to learn if I want to switch to Open Source?
• Is Open Source Software really free?

Will I have to upgrade all my computers to Windows 7 if I want to stay with a Microsoft OS?

Yes, eventually. As with all things based in technology, you will need to upgrade. But, you don’t need to run out this minute and do it. And, you have time to test and see what you really want to do.

If I switch to an Open Source OS, will my current software work?

Probably not. There are several ways you can use Windows based software, but in most cases, it’s better to find the “Open Source Equivalent” to the software you are running.

If I stay with a Windows based OS, will all my current software still work?

Again, probably not. It minimum, you will probably need to purchase an upgraded version. Microsoft has addressed this issue by granting purchasers of their Windows 7 OS a free license to Windows XP that would allow them to run XP in a VM (Virtual Machine) on the Windows 7 OS. This is still a bit foggy in the documentation on how this will all work. The bottom line is, you will need to spend some money to get all this working.

What skills will I need to learn if I want to switch to Open Source?

If you are a “power user” you probably have all the skill you need to switch over. If not, then you will need to learn how to “discover” how things work. This sounds a bit viege, but to use Open Source, you must be willing to click on all the menus to find what you want. You must also be willing to read a help screen here and there to navigate your way. Of coarse, this isn’t much different from the first time you run a program or OS after an upgrade… So, I bet most anyone has the skill sets needed.

Is open source really free?

Depends what you consider free. Not all open source software comes without a monetary price, but it does come with freedom. I think The Open Source Definition describes it best.

So, I want to try Open Source.

So, you want to try open source? Well, it’s pretty easy. If you want to run Open Source on your Windows Desktop, then check out the Opendisc Project. If you want to try an Open Source OS, I would recommend Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Fedora, or for you hard core corporate administrators (You know who you are) you can try a eval copy of Red Hat or install CentOS (which is a re-branded copy of Red Hat) for free!