(This is part II of my Crossover series on my blog. Read the rest of my series at http://blog.gaelicmysts.com)

In part one I addressed the introduction of the Crossing Over series, with regard to escaping dreaded proprietary systems. In a way this series is about self-reliance to some degree and the ability to sustain oneself over time with something completely foreign from a technological standpoint. However this should not bring to mind the self-reliant in the mountains, with wild-eyes, and boot-leg gin pouring out of shotguns.

An OS By Any Other Name: The first thing I needed to decide on was a good operating system from which to build my 'Ultimate Web-Devers' engine. Now while I want to address these decisions as one who knows very little about computers, I need to clarify that I am indeed trying to make a professional decision here as well.

Open-Source is not nearly as risky as it once was. As a matter of fact, its hardly risky at all. Consider the following;

Does Microsoft provide REAL customer service via the phone?
Does Microsoft troubleshoot your computer when things go wrong?
Does Microsoft provide any REAL support for doing the things you would like done?

Probably not. This is no different than Linux. With Linux you get;

A stable operating system:
What does this mean? It means no blue-screen-of death. Linux is built stronger by default. In fact, the very reason why Steve Jobs left Bill Gates and Microsoft was over the OS stability issue. (aside from Gates 'stealing' his stuff) Steve Jobs decided to leave Bill to start a company called 'Apple'. Perhaps you have heard of them? In any case Gates started his new company based on a different approach to the Operating System. After seeing some real struggling times Apple and Jobs begain implementing/working with a version of the Linux Kernel. In fact Linux had gained and is still gaining such popularity that it is being fully supported by IBM, Novell, OpenGL, HP, and Sun Microsystems. Linux is known for its stability.
Community Support:
There can be a lot said for support, but what is important is what is unsaid. People generally feel more comfortable knowing they can call someone for help or assistance. The latest rage is to send these call-centers over to India, and pay them $1 an hour (this is not a fact an embellishment) to speak to you in a form of English you barely even knew existed. What Linux has, Windows doesn't have and will never have. Windows

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Is Ubuntu the best Linux distribution?
We want to hear your view. Write now!