I have mentioned before that I use Linux, specifically Ubuntu, as my computer operating system. This post is not intended to “convert” you. It is not to teach you how to use Linux, but just to give my impressions and reasons for using it.

Probably the biggest asset of Linux, and open source software (OSS) in general, is that it is written by users for users. A couple of posts back I linked to a pyramid of the fine art market. At the bottom level it talks about artists making art, not for money, but for the love of making the art. Open source software is somewhat like this. While there are some big companies producing OSS (IBM and Redhat among others), these companies make money almost in spite of the love/need for producing a specific software. What does this mean? There are a number of results. The software tends to be customizable to an extent that commercial software can’t even dream of. For example, in Microsoft Windows, can you move the “start” button to the right hand side of the screen if you so desire? Software also tends to improve very quickly, but it is rarely change for the sake of change. Much commercial software tends to get bigger, and more bloated. Commercial software has to justify itself so people will upgrade. Open source software tends to get better because people request features.

Of course OSS has its warts. Because the software is generally written by volunteers, it can be lacking polish, and often, especially with smaller projects, there is a feeling that parts are just “good enough”

Overall I find the workflow matches my though process. And at the end of the day, that is all that really matters… getting work done…

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