If it won??™t run where you want it to, chances are that you, or someone you hire, can
port it to the computer you want. (Porting refers to modifying an application or driver so
it works in a different computer architecture or operating system.)
Downloadable applications??”If the applications you want are not delivered with your
version of Linux, you can often download and install them with a single command, using
tools such as apt, urpmi, and yum.
No settings hidden in code or registries??”Once you learn your way around Linux,
you??™ll find that (given the right permissions on your computer) most configuration is
done in plain text files that are easy to find and change. Because Linux is based on openness,
nothing is hidden from you. Even the source code, for GPL-covered software, is
available for your review.
Mature desktop??”The X Window System (providing the framework for your Linux
desktop) has been around longer than Microsoft Windows. The KDE and GNOME desktop
environments provide graphical interfaces (windows, menus, icons, and so forth) that
rival those on Microsoft systems. Ease-of-use problems with Linux systems are rapidly
evaporating.
Freedom??”Linux, in its most basic form, has no corporate agenda or bottom line to
meet. You are free to choose the Linux distribution that suits you, look at the code that
runs the system, add and remove any software you like, and make your computer do
16
Linux First Steps Part I
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