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General discussion

SO YOU THINK YOU'LL GET SOMETHIN' FOR NOTHIN' WITH LINUX?

Jan 17, 2011 11:59AM PST

Free, as in the term Free Open Source Software (FOSS), means "free to do with as you want." Reverse-engineer it, modify it, copy it, whatever -- it's okay (just don't try to sell it). FOSS and GNU/Linux are also free in that money is not the cost involved. Effort is.

If lazy, Gnu/Linux may not be what you want. Linux is NOT Windows? (http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm). If willing to perform the tasks you expect but do them a little differently than expected, using Linux can be well worth the effort, however. Payoffs for doing so include a sense of accomplishment; and in these hard economic times no-monetary-cost can mean the difference between having the advantages computing makes possible or not having them available for yourself or your family.

GNU/Linux won't set you back $100 for a photo editor or $200 for a Home Basic Edition OS or $280 for an Office Suite and up to $1000 and more for a graphics program. These are not necessary expenditures. If one MUST have certain software programs or games that do not run natively on Linux, a retail program called Cross-Over (http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxlinux/) makes them possible. Anyone can easily make virtually any printer work with no effort by purchasing TurboPrint (http://www.turboprint.info/)for Linux. No need exists for home users to buy anti-virus or anti-spyware or anti-malware or registry cleaning programs, either. The savings in money and in non-productive time spent behind a computer are therefore significant.

Make a choice -- either set yourself free or remain a corporate slave.

Discussion is locked

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Cute post.
Jan 19, 2011 12:33PM PST

Every operating system has its advantages and disadvantages. No one operating system is 100% perfect.

"Corporate slave" ? That confuses me. No one's a slave to anything.
Maybe it's just me, but even though I use Linux at home 99% of the time, with the other 1% I'd rather use Windows to game rather than Linux. Probably because it's native?

You were talking about corporate slaves. If you buy your games, does that make you a corporate slave towards the gaming industry? Windows or Linux, you'll pay for that game. It won't be free on Linux.

As long as your post made you happy I won't go against it Happy

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"No one's a slave to anything?"
Jan 23, 2011 1:14PM PST

I agree that no OS is perfect and have stopped pursuing perfection since long ago; so, on this we agree. However (and for example), alcoholics and addicts are slaves to their alcohol or drugs or pleasures as long as they pursue it or them, respectively; many corporations may be considered slaves to viewer ratings (for media-oriented corporations) and/or shareholders and advertisers.

Semantics aside, using GNU/Linux only (thereby becoming "Pane-Free") frees one from a cycle of upgrades, and having to purchase software to stave off maladies which are inherent in the dominant OS but relatively absent from Linux distros for home users (as stated in original post).

Awareness leads to thought which can lead to making choices that are followed by actions, if the incentives are adequate to change from the status quo. Cutting expenses is becoming more and more necessary for increasing numbers of people in these times in which we live. Choices must be made.

Knowing the options available makes choice more efficient and informed. (And which corporations, I may ask rhetorically, seem to want to keep the hoi polloi ignorant of such choices and appear to go to lengths to foster Fear Uncertainty and Doubt about Open Source?) Just to set the record straight -- I have nothing to either gain or lose, so my motivation remains unsullied by greed or fear.

May you become Pane-Free! (BTW, this is a double-entendre -- lol)

Best wishes to all!

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Sure.
Jan 23, 2011 11:28PM PST

Both operating systems are great at what they do.

Cheers.