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Linux: what is free software and why can it be better than installing Windows

2021-08-15T12:58:35.247Z


A new book explains what the different 'distributions' of the free operating system are. Guide for beginners.


John brodersen

08/15/2021 8:01 AM

  • Clarín.com

  • Technology

Updated 08/15/2021 8:01 AM

Linux

is a free and open operating system that consumes fewer resources than Microsoft Windows, the most used OS in the world.

However, it still follows the idea that it is something for programmers, experts, and very advanced users.

Something that, with the passage of time and the different versions that exist, was changing.

The problem is often that a lot of technical terminology is still spoken and the end user can get lost in it.

How do you get started with Linux?

What are "distributions"?

Which one is convenient?

What is free software?

This type of question was answered by 10 disseminators, mostly teachers, in the new book "Brief guide on distros" (abbreviation for "distribution" used in jargon).

“It is usual that when starting with free software they recommend you use this or that program (for example

Libre Office

instead of Microsoft Office,

Gimp

instead of Photoshop,

Audacity

to edit audio) but at some point you find the little word that" Linux "And other questions are opened,"

Matías Bordone Carranza, a graduate in Computer Science and Professor in Computer Science

, tells

Clarín

.

Here, the teacher answers some key questions to understand why in many cases using Linux may be a better option than Windows.

Linux, an operating system based on free software.

Photo;

Shutterstock

─What is a "distro"?

Why are there different "distributions" of Linux?

A distro is a version of Linux.

GNU / Linux is an operating system, that is, the main program on computers to which other programs are installed on top to do other things (an internet browser, games, various applications, etc). For example in cell phones as an operating system some use Android, others use Iphone (IOs). When we buy them, the first thing we do

is install a messaging program

, social networks, etc. In the case of computers it is the same, Windows is an operating system, another is Mac IOs and another is GNU / Linux. In the case of Linux,

the usual thing is that we have different "versions"

with different names, that is why we never see a "Linux" installed, but rather an

Ubuntu

, a

Debian

, etc, each with a set of programs and their differences.

In fact,

Android is a version of Linux.

─In the collective ideology Linux is an expert thing for programmers or to install on servers.

Why did this idea clot?

Is this still the case?

─I think it is not going to affect the free software community to assume that in the 90s most versions of GNU / Linux were not very friendly to the most general users, which led to the belief

that Linux was "difficult".

An attempt, for me successful, to bring Linux closer to users was precisely Ubuntu under the slogan

"Linux for human beings"

.

What they did was build on another version called Debian, tweaking and tweaking the Gnome desktop environment (sort of like the graphical interface, which the screen shows) to make it as user-friendly as possible.

Much water passed under the bridge and today there are many more "friendly" distributions.

─Why use Linux?

─Everyone has their reasons for doing it, but I can share with you why I use Linux and I think it is a good idea to share it. My computer is

more fluid and stable

(fast and without hanging up, bye hang up).

I forgot to have problems with viruses as there are almost no viruses for Linux

.

The installation of programs is much easier in general since all GNU / Linux distributions have a kind of Play Store where you search for programs and install them directly.

I can customize the look of my desktop completely in a simple way (well, easier than in Windows).

The updates not only update the system but also all the programs, it also lets me do it when I want and not when "the system" wants.

It is not necessary to install extra programs since Linux comes with many programs already incorporated

Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions

─It is also free, this is not minor.

─Of course, although we do not mention it many times, free software is usually freely available, legally and without viruses, so this is no less reason to use it.

In fact, some companies and

educational institutions use free software to reduce licensing costs

, pass legal controls, in addition to becoming independent from provider (anyone can support free software).

─There are also more philosophical reasons behind the use of free software, they tell in the book.

Sure.

Free programs are programs made by a community of people thinking of people, in turn that is available to everyone to use, modify and share.

This collective way of experiencing technology is the first thing that caught my attention and in fact I say collective because there are also many people willing to help.

─In which cases do you recommend using Linux?

─Using free software in general and Linux in particular meets the needs of any average user for everyday office or home use.

After all, most use the internet mainly for this, in Linux you have Firefox browsers and you can even install Chrome (from Google), although I do not recommend it

, Zoom, Skype and many other programs

that many people use can also be installed. on Windows.

Even the most famous game store

Steam

has a version for Linux too.

Free software and the Clementina Group

The Clementina Group created the Linux distribution manual during the pandemic.

Photo Sol Vassallo

Groups that disseminate free software often have foundations to support an alternative use to that which the logic of the market and, in particular,

copyright

, usually dictate.

However, many times the importance of having, at least as an alternative, a “free” option that can not only also be free, but much more than that, is not entirely clear.

─Why is the concept of "free software" important?

─In general, when a program is created by someone (individual programmers or a company), these creators decide what the users can or cannot do with the program.

That is what is known as a program license.

In other words, the license is what the author says that we can and cannot do with that program (or book, or video, or ... etc).

For example, if I buy Windows,

the

Windows

license says that I have permission to use that copy on a single computer

and that I cannot share it with anyone (among many other things / restrictions).

─Free software breaks with this traditional idea that is used in the computer industry.

How?

─In the face of these types of conditions, there is a group of people who believe that programs should allow 4 things: the freedom to use the program, for any purpose (use), the freedom to study how the program works and modify it, adapting it to one's own needs (study),

the freedom to distribute copies of the program

, thereby helping other users (distribution), and the freedom to improve the program and make those improvements public to others, so that the entire community benefits ( improvement).

─And this translates into programs like the Firefox browser.

─Of course, programs with licenses that respect these four freedoms are called Free Software.

There are many programs that are free besides

Firefox, such as LibreOffice, Linux, Obs studio, Audacity.

Not every program that is downloaded from the internet for free is free, you have to respect these freedoms.

To get rid of the doubt, it is best to go to the Wikipedia page of the program and see what license it has.

Conectar Igualdad comes with Huayra, an Argentine Linux distribution for educational purposes.

Photo Juano Tesone

─Why does the book say that it is better to use free software on computers for education like Connect Equality?

─There are rivers of ink on this question, but it could mark some of the most important ones.

First, its affordable price: although free is not necessarily free, most of the free software used in education is, so costs can be reduced, while students can download and use it. program they see in class.

On the other hand, a question of values:

the school has to teach students values ​​and lifestyles that benefit the whole of society.

The free software proposal presents a group of values ​​about what it is to produce and share knowledge and that benefits us all.

─The book also explains that free software adapts to the needs of users.

─Of course, using free software allows you to see that there are program options to solve problems, so you can speak, for example, of a "Word Processor" instead of Word, and in this way also show that you choose what you want use in a way that best suits your needs.

In addition, free software helps students learn how computers and the software itself work.

─Any example?

─Yes, when the Peruvian state wanted to give computers to its students they found that

Word does not come in Guaraní

(one of the official languages ​​of the country) so they decided to use Libre Office, a free Office and modified it to add the Guaraní language.

This modification was later incorporated by Conectar Igualdad

to use Office in Guarani

with students who have that mother tongue.

Android is based on Linux: it is one of its many distributions.

Photo Bloomberg

“Brief guide on distros” is prepared by members of the Clementina Group: Valentin Basel, Matías Eduardo Bordone Carranza, Barbi Couto, Iris Amalia Fernández, Delfina Sofía Martín, María Eugenia Núñez, Lila Pagola and “Rikylinux”.

It is downloaded for free here.

SL

Look also

Juana Manso Plan: they presented the first free operating system developed by the State, Huayra 5.0

Córdoba inaugurated Serafín, a new supercomputer that pays tribute to Fontanarrosa

Source: clarin

All tech articles on 2021-08-15

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