Free Software
So, why would you want to use free software ? It is not just that it doesn't cost anything, you can forget long fine-print contracts that give you no rights at all, there is little in the way of treacherous computing (more about this below.), and it is pretty much virus free so you can say goodbye to the virus checker and the fees that go with it.
Because anyone can access, examine, explore and modify the source code, free software has transparency that allows it to be fully audited. This should be a requirement for at least some applications...like voting machines. Also, it is possible to build on software that is already written. Because it is Open, it can be peer reviewed. Hidden traps can be exposed, as long as the code is completely open.
Linux runs the fastest computers.
Massachusetts favors Open Source software
The GNU Project defends software freedom: the user's freedom to run it for any purpose, share it with neighbors, improve it for your own purposes, modify it and redistribute your modifications for the benefit of the whole community.
The Road Ahead for Open Source
Richard Stallman defines free software in this video.
Digital Restrictions Management (DRM)
"Windows Vista includes an array of 'features' that you don't want. These features will make your computer less reliable and less secure. They'll make your computer less stable and run slower. They will cause technical support problems. They may even require you to upgrade some of your peripheral hardware and existing software. And these features won't do anything useful. In fact, they're working against you. They're digital rights management (DRM) features built into Vista at the behest of the entertainment industry.
And you don't get to refuse them. ...
Microsoft put all those functionality-crippling features into Vista because it wants to own the entertainment industry. This isn't how Microsoft spins it, of course. It maintains that it has no choice...It's all complete nonsense." --Bruce Schneier, "DRM in Windows Vista"
If you are annoyed with high priced software that 'phones home', bothered by install procedures that interrupt your schedule, frustrated with the high cost of applications, unwilling to read EULAs (those long contracts that appear every time you make a change), or troubled by upgrades that disturb your actual work, you should have a look at free software. Click here.
When software is proprietary it is also not transparent or open to audit. This is a fatal flaw for applications such as voting machines. Look, for example at these links: Connecticut will be using Diebold voting machines. Check out elections.
DefectiveByDesign.org is campaigning to stop Digital Rights Management (DRM). See Bruce Schneir's website to find out who owns your computer or a guide to living a DRM-free existence.
Here is a link to an interview with Richard Stallman.
Sony BMG
on its audio CDs included computer software to limit the way you can use your
computer. They have installed what is known as a 'root kit' to hide the files that the copy protection program uses to track your
usage. It also phones home over the internet when you use the product. Serious
security holes including
virus attacks are enabled by this software and, unless you are watching closely,
you won't be aware that the program is present on your machine. If you delete
the program, your disk drive could fail and you will need to bring it to the shop.
Sony lost in court about this.
Protect your
freedom!
Applications
There is an incredibly wide range of free software applications available Some of the best include:
Graphics: Gimp, Inkscape, KPaint, Karbon14, blender,
Email: Evolution, Kmail, Kontact
Office Applications: Open Office,
Web Browser: Firfox Konqueror, Mozilla, Galeon, Iceweazel.
Web Editor: Bluefish, Composer, Quanta Plus, Screen
News Reader: Pan
Media Player: Amarok, Kino, MPlayer, Totem, Xine, XMMS, Audacity,
Music: LilyPond, Synthesizers, Midi sequencers (see Rosegarden),
Project Planner: MrProject
Telephone: Asterisk
Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL
Programming Languages: Python, Lisp, ADA, Fortran, Assembler, C, C++, Haskell, PHP, Perl, GLADE, wx, as well as support tools:
Games: a wide variety and also machine emulators that allow you to continue to run the old Atari and Commodore software.
For others see http://directory.fsf.org/
Standards
W3C
Open Formats
Free Phone
Distributions
You can try out free software without changing anything on your computer by booting from a live cd.
Download a free, live CD from these websites. To burn the CD, it is necessary to be sure that it is an iso, then run it directly from your CDROM drive without even installing. Running from the CD will be somewhat slow, but on most machines actual installation will improve performance considerably.
If you have a slow internet connection, it could be easier to buy cds from a good vendor: for example, frozentech sells them for a nominal fee.
There is a proliferation of distributions, and that is partly because there are different concerns addressed by each of them.
You need to pick just one, and do not attempt to mix any components from others unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Ubuntu may be the best distribution for the new multi-media user.
Knoppix may be the easiest live CD to boot. It has very good hardware detection and it can be an excellent diagnostic tool.
Debian I have had good experience with the stable version.
DSL: Damn Small Linux
Puppy Linux
Mepis
64Studio: optimized for audio, but a branch of Debian. There is a 32 bit version that can run on many late-model PCs. Aside from that it is a Debian derivative.
All of the above distributions have some compromises in their use of non-free software. The most freedom is from Distributions recommended by the FSF
The distributions that are most free are:
Free, in this case, means no proprietary software components. If you choose one of these distributions, some functionality may not be available (including newer media since many include DRM.)
GNULinux, click here.
Where to get help
Magazines
Linux Journal (great magazine.)
Hardware Support
Los Alamos Computers works with the FSF to offer systems preinstalled with a free operating system.
Links
Adobe AIR applications for Linux
LUG
In Norwich, CT a LUG (Linux User Group) meets monthly. Much of the software that is bundled with Linux is from the GNU project. The GNU is an initiative of Richard Stallman as is the Free Software Foundation, a tax-exempt charity for free software development. Its website has over 4000 free software packages. There is also a Boston User Group.
Videos
Zero Configuration (avahi) How to connect your local devices...with or without wire.
Bibliography
Free Book on telephony from O'Reilly: Asterisk, the future of telephony
Linux Bible, 2008 Edition, Christopher Negus
O'Reilly publishes an extensive list of Linux titles.