A comment was made that went something like "Yes, it is free, for the stuff you get free." .... or something like that.
I interpreted the comment as implying that, to really get anything of value, you needed to pay $.
In my usual curmudgeon way, I said, "Not true, my crusty OM!"
I run Ubuntu Linux and have made a vow to shy away from commercial operating systems that I have to pay $ to use.
In the last few months, I've discovered ( http://www.libreoffice.org/ ), an open source free application that rivals Microsoft Office.
I knew it had the equivalent of Microsoft Word but, later, discovered that it has Microsoft Excel. But, what really blew me away was that it, also, has the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint!!!!!!!!
Being the paranoid prepper anti-government anarchist that I am, I like to be "off-the-grid" as much as I can. To that end, I have stopped using Google Drive (cloud storage) in favor of storing locally. When the Internet craps out, I'll still have all my stuff, thank you very much!
There is a free application called WINE that enables one to port many Windows apps into a Linux environment It works fairly well. For example, I run Airmail (a PACTOR/PACKET) based TNC interface that is Windows-based under Linux with no problems.
So, the bottom line for me is:
- I think Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office are great products and, for a business, I think worth the investment.
- However....
Having reached the ripe young age of 63, I have decided that I will no longer, on an annual basis, face north west and kneel on one knee, to send tithing to Mr. William Gates (may He be blessed).
Joking aside, I run Ubuntu Linux in the shack and for my business 95% of the time. The only time I need to revert back to the True Gospel is when I need to run Quickbooks for business or do software development for my Windows-based server product (where I get my bread). I do this by running a dual-boot machine - easy as pi.
See:
a. http://www.libreoffice.org/
b. http://www.ubuntu.com/
Unless bent upon the rack, I shall no longer pay Mr. Bill Gates (may He be blessed) any more money!
