UBUNTU A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM - FEBRUARY 2013
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UBUNTU A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM FEBRUARY 2013
Table of Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................................... 3
What is Ubuntu?.................................................................................................... 3
Does Ubuntu cost anything to purchase?.........................................................................................3
If Ubuntu is free, how does it compare to a paid OS such as Microsoft Windows?.................................3
I am worried that learning how to use something different to Windows or Mac OS X will be time
consuming and frustrating. How can you address this?......................................................................4
Are there any additional costs for security software, for example, antivirus software?.........................4
How well will Ubuntu perform on my existing computers?................................................................5
How easy is it to find and install software applications for Ubuntu?....................................................5
Are there any support costs I have to pay for Ubuntu?.......................................................................5
Ubuntu sounds promising, but I can see situations where I would need to run a Windowsbased
application, such as Microsoft Word. Is this possible?........................................................................6
I am hearing a lot about cloud computing. What cloud computing features does Ubuntu offer me?.......6
Conclusion............................................................................................................ 6
For more information..............................................................................................6
UBUNTU: A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM
2
Introduction
Your work and home desktop and laptop computers run an operating system ("OS")
which supports the software applications you use (for example, word processing and
web browsing) and the devices you connect to (for example, printers and broadband
modems). For many people, the OS they are most familiar with is Microsoft Windows.
For others, the OS of choice is Apple Mac OS X. While both of these products are
popular, they are burdened with restrictive licensing terms that can quickly turn your
information technology ("IT") planning into a costly exercise. They may also contain
security vulnerabilities or other deficiencies that can have a severe impact on your
business productivity.
For business who want the maximum amount of flexibility and performance in a
computer OS while making considerable cost savings, a compelling alternative can be
found in Ubuntu.
What is Ubuntu?
The Ubuntu OS (referred to from here on simply as "Ubuntu") is a professionalgrade
desktop operating system equivalent to Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS X. Virtually
any common office task business owners would perform using Windows or Mac OS X is
supported on Ubuntu with equivalent or better performance, security and stability.
You can visit the official Ubuntu website via the following link:
http://www.ubuntu.com/
Does Ubuntu cost anything to purchase?
No. Unlike Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X, Ubuntu is free to download, install
and use on as many computers as you like. There are no license fees for its use (i.e.
$0.00).
For comparison, a single copy of Windows 7 Professional an equivalent product from
Microsoft costs NZ$450.001, and this can only be installed on a single computer.
Additionally, there are no complex licensing issues surrounding bulk license purchases
for small businesses. You simply download, install and run Ubuntu on as many
computers as you like for as long as you like.
Compare this with Windows. Small business owners will have to spend precious time
navigating through the appropriate licensing scheme to purchase multiple software
licenses. This will be followed by an extended period of time ensuring that the business
is complying with the license terms.
If Ubuntu is free, how does it compare to a paid OS such as Microsoft Windows?
Ubuntu is a product based on open source technology. A worldwide community of
developers and some of the biggest names in IT today are contributing to the
engineering underlying Ubuntu. The result is a beautiful, fullysecure professional
desktop environment. Ubuntu enables you and your employees to carry out the same
range of common office tasks you would perform on Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac
OS X with equivalent or better performance and stability.
1 Price is based on a popular New Zealandwide retailer at the time of writing.
UBUNTU: A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM
3
Figure 1 The Ubuntu Operating System.
For more information on what is open source, please visit this link:
http://www.apertura.co.nz/whitepapers/APOpenSource.pdf
I am worried that learning how to use something different to Windows or Mac
OS X will be time consuming and frustrating. How can you address this?
Ubuntu is an extremely easy to use OS. If you are already familiar with Microsoft
Windows or Apple Mac OS X, we anticipate it will only take a couple of hours to
familiarise yourself with its basic operation. This is in part because the designers of
Ubuntu have taken the best ideas present in the proprietary alternatives and
implemented them in open source form, often with subtle and intuitive improvements.
We are pleased to offer a paid familiarisation session service for any customers
wanting a more personalised introduction to learning the basics of Ubuntu.
Please contact us for more information.
Are there any additional costs for security software, for example, antivirus
software?
No. Not only is Ubuntu totally impervious to the many security exploits affecting
Microsoft Windows, the cost of an antivirus solution is also zero. This translates into
significant savings for your business because the initial purchase cost plus ongoing
maintenance and updating costs of antivirus software are eliminated.
The fact that it is risky to use a proprietary OS such as Windows without an antivirus
product installed is a good example of the hidden costs of proprietary software. The
additional cost of requiring antivirus software is not included in the initial cost of
buying Windows. When this is multiplied out across many computers, it becomes
apparent that even in a small business venture the costs involved can balloon
significantly.
UBUNTU: A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM
4Additionally, your business will benefit from increased computer uptime. The frustration
of having a laptop rendered useless because of a virus infection is all too familiar to
Windows users, and the cost of the resulting lost productivity should not be
underestimated. Ubuntu is a secure OS, and the common scenario of virus infections on
employee computers can be drastically reduced.
How well will Ubuntu perform on my existing computers?
Generally exceptionally well. Additionally, Ubuntu will run better than Microsoft
Windows on older hardware. If you want to save money by not having to upgrade your
computers simply to run the latest version of Windows, then Ubuntu is the ideal
desktop OS for you.
We are pleased to offer a nocost assessment service for any existing
computers in your business to ensure they will run Ubuntu smoothly. Please
contact us for more information.
How easy is it to find and install software applications for Ubuntu?
Exceptionally easy. Ubuntu features its own builtin app store, for point and click
browsing and installation of thousands of quality applications.
Figure 2 The Ubuntu Software Centre.
And if you can't find something that suits in the app store, you have the freedom to
choose from thousands of applications available on the web.
Are there any support costs I have to pay for Ubuntu?
No. You are free to use Ubuntu without having to enter into an expensive support
contract. Much like proprietary OS products, support is an optional extra cost.
If you prefer the safety net of professional support, then we are pleased to
offer affordable and personalised support packages for Ubuntu. Please contact
us for more information.
UBUNTU: A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM
5Ubuntu sounds promising, but I can see situations where I would need to run a
Windowsbased application, such as Microsoft Word. Is this possible?
Yes. There are two approaches to this, each with pros and cons and a potential
additional cost attached. Please contact us for more information.
I am hearing a lot about cloud computing. What cloud computing features does
Ubuntu offer me?
Ubuntu features builtin, seamless integration with the Ubuntu One cloud storage
service. You can save critical working files and folders into your Ubuntu One folder
where they will be automatically synchronised and accessible from any other computer
or mobile device2. This includes computers running Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X as
well as mobile devices running Android.
Conclusion
For small businesses and startups with limited funds, the advantages of the free and
open source Ubuntu OS are considerable. With Ubuntu, you and your employees can
expect to benefit from greatly reduced or eliminated licensing costs, superior security
and stability for your computer systems, and better use of existing hardware.
For more information
Contact:
info@apertura.co.nz
2 https://one.ubuntu.com/
Apertura Designs Ltd Auckland, New Zealand
www.apertura.co.nz
© 2013 Apertura Designs. All rights reserved. UBUNTU: A FREE DESKTOP OPERATING SYSTEM
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