Linux Desktop - Sunday, August 10, 2008 22:38 - 0 Comments

Open source free operating systems – Windows alternatives

Open source Operating Systems – Windows alternatives

Open Source software is a computer application, a suite of applications released with source code available.  The idea is that access to the source code of a program should be a right to the users of the programs.  This makes it much easier for someone to write companion software, or add-ons and plug-ins that enhance the basic software.  There are several versions of computer OS (Operating System) available, usually for a free download, including Linux and Open Solaris, which are briefly discussed here.

Open Solaris is primarily a med to high-end OS, designed with ISPs and other vertical integrators in mind.  Because Open Solaris uses the CDDL license instead of GPLv3, there’s little or not communication between the Solaris designers and those who write for Linux implementations.  On the other hand, Open Solaris is the only OS with publicly available current versions, so the general public can see where the code is going and contribute to its production.  It uses the same interface as the Ubuntu Hardy Heron release providing a clear, familiar working environment. Open Solaris also handles sound, video, and images smoothly and efficiently.  Sponsored by Sun Microsystems, Open Solaris is a truly top-end operating system.  It runs on the Solaris 10 kernel, which powers some of the largest of the Sun boxes, lending that same monolithic stability and scalability.  In this respect, Open Solaris excels over even Linux servers which already leave Windows Environments far behind.  Bring able to draw from Sun’s long-standing command of high-end enterprise computing give Solaris a performance edge, but it still lags far behind Linux packages in overall compatibility and availability of support products.

The king of Open Source OS, Linux is available in several different varieties, known as distributions.  Linux can be found operating computers from mainframes all the way down to cell phones and PDAs.  Most Linux packages are interchangeable from one distribution to another, and offer a suite of desktop interactive tools and utilities to increase the productivity of the users.   Migration from Microsoft to Linux is simplified by the availability of several GUIs that mimic Windows XP, and allows a smooth experience for the user.  Linux is both free and Open Source.  Anyone is welcome to install it, or even modify the distribution to fit their owns needs. It is widely used for network enterprise solutions because of its ease of use and scalability.  Perhaps the most common workplace distribution is Red Hat Linux, featuring the LAMP package and other networking tools.  Linux itself played a critical role in development of the Open Source software community. It is supported by Corporations such as Novell, IBM, Red Hat, and even Sun Microsystems.

Article written by MyComputerAid.com