[SLUG] Possible handout?

[john at johnallsopp.co.uk]

Hi ppl.

At last nights meeting I volunteered to produce a handout about Open
Source and Linux, explaining the basics.

It's long, I know, but here's my first draft for your comments:


What Is Linux?

Linux (pronounced with a short i, like 'tin') is an alternative to
Microsoft Windows, providing arguably a more stable, less costly yet
more capable system.

How is that possible?

Linux and most of the software that runs on it (word processors, chat
clients, music composition software), is developed and tested
collaboratively by unpaid volunteers. It doesn't sound likely does it?
The secret is partly in numbers. Thousands of people just like you and
I watch applications as they are developed, run the latest versions,
and submit bug reports. Sometimes that happens every day. Software
developed this way can evolve very quickly, and it's more robust (it
crashes less often) and easier to use because it's been tested in real
life, right through its development, on real-life computers.

Interested and skilled users who want to get more involved can, unlike
'normal' software, see the software code, change it, and return their
amendment. Software that allows this is called Open Source. Many eyes
make light work.

Why do people put their time and effort into Open Source, without
payment?

If you put yourself into some geek shoes for a second, what really
matters to them is peer recognition. They do it to see their name on
the software. Open Source is an Internet based revolution, so when
they put your name in lights, they're BIG lights.

How much did your last Windows upgrade cost?

Also, Open Source software is generally free of charge, or at least
inexpensive. After a while using a free operating system, free office
tools, a free browser, a free music player, free video editing tools,
free games and free graphics applications it occurs to some people to
put back into the community they are benefiting from. Many very
skilled older developers find purpose here, paying something back to
an industry that's paid them well during their working life.

So, in the geekiest of geekworlds, there's humanity. A community of
people helping each other, backed by the principle that software is
just a collection of free ideas that should be shared for the benefit
of all. A modern version of communicating knowledge through stories
and song.

The strange thing is it all works. Linux is renowned for its ability
to work for years on end without a reboot. IBM has embraced Linux in a
big way, and because Open Source software comes from the ground up,
whatever you want software to do, it's likely you'll be able to find
the very best quality software, free of charge, here.

Despite all that, it's not so different after all. You still use a
mouse, a keyboard, click menus. You can still read your word processor
documents. If you can use Windows, you'll be able to use Linux.

The reasons for using Linux aren't so different either. It's reliable,
effective, usable, saves money, and it's more secure. Why pay more for
a worse product?

Where next? Join us (http://www.scarborough.lug.org.uk/), buy a copy
of a Linux magazine or download Tux (a magazine for the new Linux
user, now on issue 2, from http://www.tuxmagazine.com/). Change your
browser to Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/) for your
first taste of Open Source software. Try Open Office
(http://www.openoffice.org/). Then make the leap .. perhaps when you
get a new computer, try Linux on your old one. Or you can dual boot so
you get the choice when you boot up. You can even boot Linux from a CD
and try it out without installing.