A Linux and Open Source Software Primer for Philippine Journalists 1) What is Open Source? Open Source is a collaborative way of developing software whereby the software and its source code is made freely available. There are four aspects to this freedom:
i. the freedom to use the software, without restriction as to purpose or group; ii. the freedom to study the source code to see how the software works; iii. the freedom to redistribute the software and its source code; iv. the freedom to improve the source code. It is also a kind of license which governs the use of software so as to guarantee these freedoms. There are several open source licenses and each one is crafted to suit specific situations or philosophies. However, their underlying principles meet the criteria above. This, however, does not mean that open source software is non-commercial. In fact, commercial development and distribution of open source software forms part of the ecosystem of software development. For more information * http://www.fsf.org/licensing/essays/free-sw.html * http://opensource.org/docs/definition.php 2) What is Linux? Linux is an open-source UNIX-like operating system developed and distributed under the GNU Public License. It is one of the most prominent examples of free software and of open-source development. In the narrowest sense, the term Linux refers to the Linux kernel, but it is commonly used to describe entire Unix-like operating systems that are based on the Linux kernel combined with libraries and tools from the GNU Project and other sources. Linux was originally developed for Intel 386 microprocessors and now supports all popular computer architectures, including the Intel EM64T, AMD64, and PowerPC. It is deployed in applications ranging from embedded systems (such as mobile phones and personal video recorders) to personal computers to supercomputers. For more information * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux 3) What is a Linux distribution? Linux distributions are customized and reasonably complete compilation of Linux with other useful applications. It also provides a more user-friendly installation process. This term is sometimes shortened to "distro." There are dozens of Linux distributions available, owing largely to the customizability of the operating system as well as to the freedoms guaranteed by open source. Each one was built to meet a specific need. However, the major distributions in circulation now are: Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Novell SuSE Linux, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Fedora Core, Debian, and Knoppix. For more information * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution * http://www.distrowatch.com 4) What is the Philippine Linux Users' Group? The Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) is a non-stock, non-profit organization that advocates for the adoption of the GNU/Linux operating system and free and open source software in the Philippines. It is composed entirely of volunteers from many sectors of society such as businesses, the academe, government, medical sciences and other non-government organizations. PLUG works in conjunction with other Linux users' group across the country. Founded in 1994, PLUG is also the oldest Linux users' group in Asia. For more information * http://linux.org.ph - for news and updates about local Linux and open source activities * http://linux.org.ph/about/ - about PLUG * http://linux.org.ph/lugs/ - for a full listing of Philippine LUGs -- Dominique Gerald M. Cimafranca http://villageidiotsavant.blogspot.com Dumaguete City _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List [email protected] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
