Opening’s in Technology

Well now, there’s a thing …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m a technology fan, I really am … !

And one that’s on something of a budget, like many of us.

So I’ve, like many others, fallen back on what’s known as open source software.

Just in case you DIDN’T know, Open source software is computer software that is usually given away freely.

And, unlike many bits of proprietary software, the underlying code — the actual text that makes up the software — is readily accessibly those those who wish to change it, improve it, study it …

Or just plain have a look at it.

Now you’re PROBABLY thinking that’s a BIT geeky, aren’t you … ?

But if you reading this vis Firefox or Chrome … ?

They’re open-source web-browsers.

If you, like me, have used OpenOffice.org, or a version or it … ?

That’s another piece of open source software …

Or you’re using Ubuntu, or another Gnu/Linux distribution to work your PC … ? Or Android, in the case of an android phone … ?

They’re whole open source operating systems …

And usually, they’re NORMALLY handed out for free.

All the likes of you and me have to do is pay any company that’s made such a thing for technical support …

Unlike, for example, the case of any given version of Windows, or Mac OS X — or any other piece of closed source proprietary software — where you’d be paying twice over: once for any technical support, and once for buying the software in the first place.

»»~««

For many of us … ?

Well, for many of us, that mean’s that there’s a LOT of free software out there, that’s certainly on a par with it’s commercial equivalent.

Given the choice, I personally would go for an Ubuntu equipped PC, if I couldn’t afford another: although I realise that’s not going to please everyone.

If for no other reason than the fact that iTunes isn’t available on the platform.

However … ?

While I’m not surprised that more home users don’t know about open source software — mostly because of the way the shops that SELL us computers work, and the lack of a Linux version of iTunes is a big hindrance to its uptake — I AM surprised that local and national governments don’t make more use of it.

Near enough exactly what this little article I found says, if I’ve understood it correctly … ?

Can I be honest … ?

I’m thinking that good old fashioned inertia seems to be wider spread than people think …

Setting a mind to rest …

Hmmmm …

You know, I’m thinking that unfamiliarity is a frustrating thing.

At least, when it’s on the outside, at any rate.

I do know I’m getting familiar with the look of mild panic that comes over people’s faces, whenever I mention Ubuntu.

Mixed with curiosity, it must be said.

I do know I’ve had my kid sister swear absolutely, she needs Microsoft Office for work!!!!

You can imagine what I said, can’t you?

Mind you, saying that, I do know that — for many companies — having the various Entourage sharing features that come with MS Office is vital to how they do business.

But it’s not necessarily the case for the rest of us.

I think for most us, the simple fact is we don’t know how — or IF — the functionally identical OpenOffice or NeoOffice will be able to handle MS Word or Excel files.

Which — as you can possible guess from the pictures — they both can. In fact, if you’re familiar with MS Office — which I was, when I started OpenOffice — making the switch is fairly easy.

As you can see, both are capable of opening, as saving in, the relevant file formats!

Including recent versions of .doc and .docx.

And, as I’ve mentioned before, both OpenOffice and NeoOffice can export a given document to the ever popular .pdf format.

I also know — from chatting to, if all people, my mother, this morning — that a big worry is “Can it do email and the net??”

Which I also know Councillor Chilvers admitted she tended to rely on her computer for.

I know from experience, however, that both OS X and Ubuntu have on-board apps to deal with. Both have an email client — Mail.app for OS X, and Evolution Mail for Ubuntu — that are easy to set up and use, and both can be connected, wirelessly or otherwise, to a router, and thus to the ’net.

Overwhelming amounts of detail?

Maybe.

But, these day’s, knowing this stuff is as handy as knowing how to drive …