FOSS News

[th1b.taylor]

Demise of Windows XP is boon for Open Source adaption
Indeed end of Windows XP support from Microsoft has been a driving factor in the decision to switch for Open Source software, along with sluggish economy, of course. Director of Information Systems, Sandro Golzio, estimated that it would cost the city 22 million for the next five years between licenses, new equipment, technical assistance and installations. And if opted for Linux and Open Source alternatives, it will save the city some 6 million euro in the same time period.

Keeping the savings in mind, administration has decide to go for Open Source and has selected Ubuntu Linux distribution for desktop OS, Apache OpenOffice office suite and other programs such as Firefox and Thunderbird. City of Turin has 8,300 PCs that will undergo this change. The estimated time of completion for this switch is one and half year.

This news is a little special to me as I lived in Turin for a year where I attended MS in Communication System course at Politecnico di Torino. I am glad to see this city switching for Open Source. These kind of stories are coming out from various parts of the world. Few states in India are migrating to Open Source along with Spanish and German cities. Altogether, this trend is encouraging for a FOSS lover.

 

[tim-from-pa]

That is good news, and even China wanted to make Linux it's official operating system. Now, I don't necessarily think it's good to outlaw Microsoft -- we have to complain about something. But if whole cities and countries use it for desktop and laptops, then even more resources will be devoted to apps for Linux.

As it now stands, Linux (i.e. at least the kernal) is already in our devices, Android, Google Chrome, etc. which runs just about every smartphone, tablet and other gizmo out there. MS only dominates the laptops and desktops yet, and I think that's largely from corporate glut and lag and people who prefer PC's and laptop's yet.

But the same people, and most of the kids also use the Linux based OS's and also Apple. The younger crowd don't get into the computers as much. They are always on their smartphones in place of the computer. If MS losses the desktop and laptops, they might as well start going into basket-weaving.

 

[th1b.taylor]

I have bad news, Tim. I over clocked my quad core for over two years but if fried! Being bed ridden most of the time my wife and techy daughter bought me an HP Pavilion Slimline 400-224 powered by windoze 8. Remember the Foxconn All=In-One units? This HP has one of those Mainboards and was designed for 8. In six months the Linux Kernal will be handling this board and all in one APU (not CPU) but until then I am stuck with windoze worst system ever. Even VBox is having issues with this system but I know for a fact, Oracle is busy finding the cure. WELL SPIT!!!

 

[tim-from-pa]

I feel sorry for you brother that the Lord has chastened you for over-clocking sins by taking away your Linux computer and laid a heavy burden on you with a Microsoft computer. But the bright side of this all is:

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.



I should watch, maybe my day is coming, too.

 

[th1b.taylor]

True Tim but I nearly fell off my bed just now,,, shame on you... causing that much joy in an old man!