__/ [ Penguiniator ] on Monday 31 July 2006 01:30 \__
> casioculture@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>>
>> I'm using ubuntu and I sure am feeling that it's a lot safer
>> than windows
>>
>> 1- permissions
>> 2- software comes straight from ubuntu repositories
>> 3- software is open source
>>
>>
>> What else?
>
> No anxiety over spyware in the form of "critical updates" that
> phones home to verify that your copy is legit. No danger that
> your software is tied to a company's fortunes. No clandestine
> third party programs that disable your hardware when you
> "misuse" "their" music CD's. No malware that turns your computer
> into an email zombie or that harvests contacts from your address
> book. No mysterious changes in your computer's settings. No
> extra charges for bug fixes that are labelled as upgrades. No
> help files that are sprinkled liberally with marketting drivel.
> No need to reboot every time a new program is installed or
> updated. No artificial limitations placed on what you can do
> with your software, such as automating tasks, giving away your
> software, installing it on as many computers as you want, using
> it for commercial and non-commercial purposes. No need to
> relearn everything you knew about computers when your software
> vendor decides to replace the user interface with one that it
> promises will make you a more efficient user. No need to upgrade
> your applications just because you decide to upgrade your
> operating system. No need to upgrade your operating system just
> because you decide to upgrade your applications. And no need to
> look over your shoulder while you desperately try to stay ahead
> of rapidly approaching hardware obsolescence in the process.
>
> When you learn a program, that knowledge remains valid for a very
> long time. File formats and communications protocols are open.
> Competition between developers is usually friendly and benefits
> everyone, especially end users. Availability of software is
> limited less by the financial resources of the user than with
> proprietary software. Users have direct access to developers and
> can influence the future development of their software.
> Technical support is more accessible and better organized than
> with proprietary counterparts via FAQ's, how-to's, Usenet, Web
> forums, wiki's, IRC channels and email. Help files are more
> honest about a program's shortcomings, listing known bugs and
> work-arounds for them. And it's fun.
Excellent. I have saved it somewhere from which I can pull it when friends
show reluctance/resistance. I hope you don't mind me blogging about it (with
attribution, of course).
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