Book - 18 continued ...

This is called open source software. In short, one can get it without paying any money, however one has to pay for services.

Linux is open source software and is a Kernal of a operating system with different desktops (Gnome, KDE etc) and distributions (like Red Hat, SuSe, Mandrake etc.).The book 'The Joy of Linux' not only talks about historical backgrounds, its relationship with GNU project and why some people call it GNU/Linux but also explains different desktops and distribution.

Many say that Linux cannot have viruses. This is not true. There can be viruses in Linux  too but there aren't many. It also explains the reasons why is it so.  One of the fears in adopting Linux is that, as no one owns it, no one is responsible for it and no one might remove difficulties if one comes across them. The book tries to dispel this fear and explains why it is not true.

It is easy to have Linux and Window on the same computer; you can have dual boot. One can always see window partition and the data on the window partition can be accessed from the Linux side. However it is not possible in the reverse  direction. The book also explains the reason and how to auto-mount the window partition.  

Today Linux is no longer for geeks; it has GUI. It is as easy to operate as is Windows. It has everything that we normally require in a computer, except perhaps the games that windows has. One can play audio CD or watch Video CD in Linux. The other open source software relating to applications are as good as any proprietary software. Openoffice.org suite  is similar to and is as good as Microsoft office suite; it works in Linux as well as windows. Mozilla   is an Internet explorer as well as manages ones emails; it works in windows as well as in Linux.  If you want only internet browser then firefox (from Mozilla) is as good (if not better) than any; it also works on Linux and windows. Ximian evolution is an electronic manager and also manages one's email. However it works in Linux only. It is similar and  in many ways superior to Microsoft outlook.  The best part of the book is that one does not have to be a geek in order to understand it. Try Linux, its worth trying: well, it is better to use it than to use pirated software.