[Office-commits] r10055 - trunk/campaigns

[sysadmin]

Author: www-data
Date: Wed Oct  7 21:27:31 2009
New Revision: 10055

Log:
web commit by tal82k

Modified:
   trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn

Modified: trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn
==============================================================================
--- trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn      Wed Oct  7 20:44:50 2009        (r10054)
+++ trunk/campaigns/osfreewhy.mdwn      Wed Oct  7 21:27:31 2009        (r10055)
@@ -14,10 +14,14 @@
 
 So what is the alternative?  There are Free Software operating systems.  The 
most common of these is GNU/Linux, more commonly known simply as Linux.  
GNU/Linux is very powerful particularly because it is free.  
 
-You might wonder, "If everyone has access to the source code, doesn't that 
make it vulnerable?"  Actually, the availability of source code allows for a 
more secure system.  When a vulnerability is found, anyone can fix it, and 
distribute their fix.  You do not have to wait for an update from the company 
or a new version of the software.  Often security fixes for GNU/Linux systems 
are out the next day after a vulnerability is discovered!
+You might wonder, "If everyone has access to the source code, doesn't that 
make it vulnerable?"  Actually, the availability of source code allows for a 
more secure system.  When a vulnerability is found, anyone can fix it, and 
distribute their fix.  You do not have to wait for an update from the company 
or a new version of the software.  Often security fixes for GNU/Linux systems 
are out the next day after a vulnerability is discovered whereas it might take 
even a few years for an update on non-free systems!
+
+Security is not the only advantage of a Free Software operating system.  
Non-free software is prone to absolute control by its publisher.  This means 
that if Microsoft or Apple wanted to insert a backdoor in their software to 
monitor everything you do, they could do so based on the license you agreed to 
for the ability to use the software.  This is able to happen in non-free 
software and you would never know because the source code is not released.  
This could never happen in Free Software because the contents of the program 
are transparent; you can see exactly how the program works.
 
 Does it upset you that Microsoft and Apple take your freedom, your rights, for 
granted?  It should.  But, how can you fight back?  There are so many ways.  
You can learn more about our campaign  to show the problems with Windows 7 at 
<www.windows7sins.org>.  Another really big way to fight back is by refusing to 
use a non-free operating system.  GNU/Linux is a great way to do that.
 
+Some people are concerned that in switching to GNU/Linux, the programs that 
they are used to using will not be compatible.  While this is true to a certain 
extent, it is not completely the case.  While Microsoft Word does not work 
under GNU/Linux (and why would you want it to, since it is non-free?), there 
are alternatives that do.  For example, OpenOffice.org is a fully-powered 
office suite that can read Microsoft Office files.  It can even save them to 
that format!  In most cases, there are Free alternatives to the non-free 
software that you are used to.
+
 There are a lot of distributions of GNU/Linux.  A distribution is sort of like 
a flavor.  Each distribution has its own look and feel.  Some are easier to 
use, and some more difficult.  Some are more free and some are less.  Most 
distributions are free-of-charge, which is another advantage over non-Free 
systems.  You can get free updates for life.  The FSF maintains a list of fully 
Free distributions at <http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html>.  There is 
also a list of common GNU/Linux distributions that are not fully endorsed by 
the FSF with reasons why.  That is available at 
<http://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html>.
 
 To better understand the relevance of Free Software through analogies, please 
watch the Freedom Fry 
[video](http://www.gnu.org/fry/happy-birthday-to-gnu.html) or read the Car 
Analogy [[thecaranalogy_bullet_style]]