This is the alternate title of 2007 Hollywood film Diehard 4.0 starring Bruce Willis. But, in this technical world, it has got a different perspective. Either you can live (and think) freely using open source softwares or be a diehard user of proprietary softwares.
Open source softwares have many advantages over proprietary ones. The major one is the cost. Usually open source softwares are free of cost. One can download it from net and install in one's computer, and are encouraged to spread it. Operating systems like Ubuntu even ship you a c.d ABSOLUTELY FREE OF COST!!!! (Isn't it too tempting an offer?). Proprietary softwares, on the other hand, cost you money (and your freedom). Also, they are designed for a single use. You can't simply borrow your friend's software and install it in your system (legally). Ofcourse, they may design it for many users, but the cost too will be manifold (exponentially!!).
If you are well versed in programming, and you feel that your existing software doesn't have a feature you want (or it has a bug), then you can modify (or debug) it in open source softwares ONLY. Because, only they come to you with their source code. You can alter it, spread it. You can't get the source code of a proprietary software.
The major drawback of a Windows (a proprietary software) system is, it is prone to virus attacks. These harmful little programs can affect your valuable data. But Linux systems are unassailable to Windows viruses.
One major setback to the open source softwares is “THE COMMON MAN'S ATTITUDE”. For most people, Windows is synonymous to computer. Most people are under the impression that Linux is like a command line O.S, that is not user friendly, lacks technical perfection etc. Gone are those days. Modern Linus O.S are beautiful, user-friendly, technically advanced et al. There are various Linux distributions, like,
UBUNTU, REDHAT, SUSE, FEDORA, MANDRIVA and even LINSPIRE (which is not free though)
One more advantage of Linux O.S is that it comes with an office suite (openoffice.org), an image editinf software (GIMP). But in Windows, you have to buy these additional ones. Also, it has Firefox as it's browser (a major browser software and a major threat to I.E). Also, if you need a software for a particular purpose, you can simply download it, install in an instant, get going. (as simple as 1,... 2,.... 3)
Linux is not without some limitations. If you are looking forward to install Linux, sit back and enjoy some music, or watch a video, you may be disheartened at first, because the inbuilt media player can't play them. (due to proprietary limitations of formats like mp3, wav etc.) But you can (of course, you will) download the required codecs from the net , WITHOUT PAYMENT (of course, excluding the nominal data charges) and ROCK ON..... So in Linux, there is always a way. You just need to log into a community website, post the question, get the answer, implement it. Simple!!!
So, you have two options- to LIVE FREE or be DIEHARD. The choice is upto you....
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