I wanted to take a few minutes to tell you about my conversion to Linux. No, I am not talking about leaving Christianity. I left the land of Microsoft and installed Linux on my computers. For years, I was a Microsoft biggot. I made some serious money as a computer consultant, helping customers get their Windows computers running and keeping them running. After spending untold hours, days, months and years patching my Windows systems and then patching the patches, I decided enough is enough. That's been over a year ago and I have never regretted my conversion to Linux.

Here's why.

My Windows laptop had two anti-virus programs, a pop-up blocker for my browser, an anti-spyware program, a personal firewall and a myriad of other gizmos to protect me from the bad guys. Those programs were susceptible to daily updates. My Linux system is running right out of the box, with no anti-virus software. I don't need it anymore. The firewall is built in as is the pop-up blocker in my browser. Spyware doesn't concern me now. I chuckle at email viruses, browser exploits and security holes in office software. They can't hurt me anymore. Yes, I can read and write Microsoft Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets and the like with Open Office. Unlike MS-Office, my package was free. In fact, so were my graphics and CD burner programs. Even my operating system is free. My desktop even looks like Windows. MP3 player? Got that. MIDI software? Got that too. Games? Ditto. ? Yep! Instant Messaging? AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC and more. You name it, I have it and it didn't cost me a dime and unlike most people's computers, my system is completely legal. I can't think of anything I could pirate if I wanted to because most software for Linux is f-r-e-e. Unlike Windows XP, my operating system does not regularly connect with the motherland to verify my license. I don't worry about someone slapping me with a huge fine for running pirated software. I don't concern myself with the financial cost of keeping my system current and secure. Yes, there are periodic patches for Linux and they don't cost anything. They are released immediately if a problem is detected. In fact, most are released before problems arise because millions of people around the world work together to make the operating system and programs better. They do this at no cost to the community. Everyone has the source code. Maybe that's why they call it "open-source", ya think? It took little time to get used to the new programs, mostly because of the appearance, because they all do virtually the same thing. Face it, email is email and a browser is a browser. Instead of Notepad, I use Kedit, which works the same. Instead of Outlook, I use Kmail, which is actually faster. If you simply must have an Outlook clone, use Evolution, also free and it will even connect to an Exchange server. Instead of MS-Word, I use AbiWord. Instead of WsFTP or CuteFTP, I use gFTP. Most of these are bundled with the operating system. Evolution comes with SuSE Pro ($29 in my area), but you can download it free if you have the SuSE Personal edition, which is also free. Documentation is installed with the operating system. You can download the operating system and programs from SuSE and burn your own CD. To install Linux, boot with that CD and follow the directions. In a very short time, you will have a fully operational, completely legal, secure operating system complete with programs. If you simply can't live without your Windows system or would rather be sprinkled than immersed into Linux, the installation program will automatically detect your Windows system and ask if you want to keep it. If you elect to do so, it will install Linux, using available space on your hard drive. You can then boot your computer into Linux or Windows, depending on your needs. You will find you boot into Windows less and less. When you install, choose the KDE desktop. This will make your computer look and feel like Windows. From there, you can tweak it to look like 95, XP, or whatever you want. Another desktop offering is Gnome, but it's a little to "tupperware" for my taste. Don't be afraid. Dive into Linux. The water's fine and you'll sleep better. If nothing else, do it to get a legal system...and you'll sleep better. Rod Disclaimers: I am no longer a computer consultant. Please don't call me. My conversion went beautifully, but hair may sprout from the palms of your hands. Contents may have settled during shipping. Your mileage may vary. Professional driver on a closed course. Backup your data first. Backup your data first. Did I say, "Backup your data first?" You will lose your Windows applications. Only some will run under Linux. Linux apps are better anyway and may import your old data.

• Topic: Public Service

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