Bible Verse for the Day

Monday, November 29, 2010

Ubuntu - A alternative to Windows. Thinking Loud!


IT in India (and thus IT for India) was always a concern for me. After about 7 years, so it was exciting to come back to work in that area. Yes, I do believe that time to work and improve productivity of companies outside my homeland come to an end at least for now. In this new role, one thing which striked me was the extent of pirated softwares in Indian homes and small offices. That set me thinking if there is any alternative. Many says TINA (There Is No Alternative). Microsoft softwares is too expensive and my next door computer vendor is happy to install pirated software and advise me to forget it then.

Is there any real alternative? Yes, is the resounding answer.
Linux is the open source implementation similar to rock solid Unix operating system. Over many years, Linus's effort to make a free alternative is reaching the maturity in terms of ease to use for the common man. One of linux implementation is Ubuntu (supported by Canonical) and the latest version is 10.10 (released in 2010, 10th Month).

Over a month I am using Ubuntu and very happy with it and I hope more people will switch over to Ubuntu over time or pay for (as against pray for not to get caught) their softwares to Microsoft. Any one serious to switching over to Ubuntu, I am ready to help as well :). Happy spread of IT in India for India. I believe that rural india yet to completely enjoy the advantages of technology.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

James,

Thanks for the post. I will definitely get in touch with you on this.

gracesudhi said...

I too believe Linux is great. I am very happy to see someone using OSS to support such good work.

Recently we used the open source software GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) software to design poster and hand invits for the IIT D Christmas program. It came out really good.

I wish you the very best.


regards
Sudheshna