Open Invitation To OpenSource

This is a testament to the flexibility of Open Office Write and other OPENSOURCE applications.

You know that I am a fan of Open Source software. The Research Triangle of North Carolina is the home of Red Hat. From just about anywhere in the world you can access a powerful or even a light and quick PC OS just by downloading or borrowing a CD or DVD.

The hefty Mandriva or Unbuntu for consumers and Edubuntu for educators are three leaders. Others, like Red Hat, Fedora and Debian and many other forms of Linux OS will fit and flourish on older PCs who lack hard drive space and RAM to run the hole-in-the-wall OS.

They also flourish on RAM-ONLY e-netbooks which work where power is scarce.

With any PC and any OS you are open to a world of open source applications. Users are also application writers and tweakers who make the “open” meaningful. If there is a Windows or Mac application, there is or will be an open source application to follow. You don't have to run Linux exclusively to benefit from Open Source advancements. Of course you can go dual-boot, just for fun.

For Windows users there are fine applications from open source. Open Office is the equivalent of MS Office and many of its components are more powerful. There is no cost for Open Office. Free. Tell your friends.

The Gimp is a strong image processing package that rivals many Adobe and Corel products. Tell more friends.

Don't let me mislead you. I do use and enjoy my relationship with Microsoft. I use their products and do not begrudge the work they do. However, if patches and fixes were made of Duck Tape (that IS the original name) how much would Vista weigh? Now we're rolling out “7”.  ( ... of NINE if the packaging is right ... )

Their ONECARE is one of the most solid, least invasive utility and anti-virus packages. Their technical support is astounding. But this is a challenge that Corel and MS could not meet.

I have some ancient document and data files from the early 80's. Neither Word nor Wordperfect could open them. I did not want to lose to lose these files, so I threw them at Open Office Write. The little diskette hummed and the screen asked if I would like the documents in the same format in which they were created – or would I like them in ODF format? WRITE, on! The data files? Excel? Nope. BASE? Yep!

SURPRISE!

Files saved and safe.

These BLOGS are first crafted and saved in Write. Pretty mundane stuff – but Write is also close to a publishing package.

Little victories? Tiny steps? Yes, taken on the backs of giants. Bless the programmers!

Many people who cannot buy a brand new system can easily find an older PC for virtually no money, have a free OS and these good tools and more. With a phone line they can have very inexpensive web access.

It is so cool to see this sort of technology bringing many people in remote areas into touch with the world. Solar-powered eBOOK pcs with Linux or XP and satellite uplinks are bringing thousands of people into touch with libraries, medical resources and education that was out of touch just a year ago.

Let's hope that the Open Source will be met with open hearts and minds.    © Tim      www.timjohnsonphoto.com