[ILUG] Open source software

[Nick Murtagh]

Hi there s105541328!


You're asking questions which have long answers. Hence you will get
mostly smart answers and people telling you to use google on this list.


> I was
> wondering what different packages ye have as compared to
> windows. Also what different internet browsers ye have and

It's not a choice between open source software and Windows. Lots of open
source software runs on Windows. For example, the Firefox web browser
and the Thunderbird email client.


> windows. Also what different internet browsers ye have and
> price ranges? What do you think the advantages of open

Although open source doesn't imply any particular price, most open
source applications are freely available for download on the Internet.


> price ranges? What do you think the advantages of open
> source software are over Windows? an email back would be

There are lots of advantages. Off the top of my head:

   * Price - open source software is usually free to download

   * Support - communities such as ILUG will often help you out for free

   * Security - because anyone can see the source code, open source
     software can often get more peer review than closed source
     equivalents. And this can lead to software with less bugs and
     security issues.

   * Cost sharing - if a company shares their software with the
     outside world, they can often get other developers to help them
     develop it for free.

   * A warm fuzzy feeling that comes from sharing and helping people.


Hope this helps,

Nick