My Ubuntu Rave

UBUNTU!

What is it?  Ubuntu is a FREE and open source operating system for personal computers and servers.  It can be downloaded from http://www.ubuntu.com

It is gaining popularity due to the fact that it is:

• FREE
• Easy to Use
• Tons of FREE Applications that run on it

Why Mention Ubuntu on My Site?

First of all, I am a Microsoft Windows System Administrator.  I have been involved with Microsoft Products (Desktop Operating Systems and Server Operating Systems) for over 20 years.

Why not plug Microsoft?   Being a computer professional, I get a LOT of questions from people regarding their home machines. 

• What kind of PC should I buy?
• What software should I buy?
• How do I get on the Internet?
• etc.

HERE'S WHY!  Since the release of Microsoft Vista, software prices are through the ROOF!

I recently visited a local office supply store and went to the shelf where the new Microsoft products were on display.

WHAT A SHOCK!

• Microsoft Vista Ultimate Edition - $399.99
• Microsoft Office Ultimate Edition - $699.99

OUCH!

I must admit, that Microsoft Products are excellent.  And if you can afford $1,100.00 on software (or if you are running a business where you can expense your software) it is still an excellent choice.

BUT - If you could find other uses for $1,100 (like me) you should take a look at Ubuntu Desktop with Open Office.  They are totally free.

OPEN OFFICE?  What is it?

1.  Word Processor - A decent word processor.  Can open/edit/change/save Microsoft Word documents.

2.  Spreadsheet - A decent spreadsheet.  Can open/edit/change/save Microsoft Excel documents.

3.  Presentation  - Can open/edit/change/save Microsoft PowerPoint documents.

4.  Database - The open office product currently does not support opening Microsoft Access databases in their native form.  Fortunately, you can export the data from Microsoft Access into MySQL - the open source database in Ubuntu (and Open Office).

5.  No HTML Editor! - The open office product currently does not have an HTML editor/Site Management tool like Microsoft FrontPage.  FrontPage only ships with the Ultimate Version of Office 2007.  Prior to the 2007 release, FrontPage was licensed separately from the Microsoft Office suite.  Fortunately, there are several free HTML editor alternatives available via Synaptics package manager.

DISCLAIMER:  NOTE - I have been using a Linux desktop operating system for less than 2 years (on and off).  I have been around Linux servers for over 10 years and have found them to be stable and usable.  You can consider me a newbie in the Open Source and Linux Desktop Operating System world.  However, with Ubuntu, you don't have to be a total Linux geek to reap the benefits of Open Source.  It is extremely user friendly.