Open Source software seems to be gaining more and more traction in the computer world as budgets start to tighten in an uncertain financial climate. This week, OpenOffice.org released the newest version of their Open Source office suite software. I've been using the beta version of the software for a couple of months and find it to be quite good. OpenOffice is considered one of the bright lights in the Open Source software world and for good reason. It offers an extremely]]> http://helpmerick.com/what-is-open-source.htm/feed 0 http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:24:47 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2260 If you would like or might even need a new computer, but aren't crazy about spending $500-1500 in our current financial environment, consider upgrading your computer for free. Yes, I said free. The only investment you will incur is some time. "How", you ask? By upgrading your computer's operating system to one of the many Linux options. As many of you know, I started dabbling and learning more about Linux a little more than two years ago. Linux offers a secure, completely functional, modern operating system for free. Linux falls under the guise of Open Source software (available for free and developed by a collaboration of many programmers) and has spawned many different versions to suit all sorts of users.

The most popular version of Linux the past few years, and the one that hooked me, is Ubuntu. Ubuntu has risen to become, arguably, the leader in Linux operating systems. Ubuntu's popularity stems from the solid community behind the product that supports and develops it, the incredible array of software that comes installed automatically including full Office compatiblity, networking, photo and multimedia tools, and even games. To get the equal functionality that Ubuntu gives users upon installation, a Windows user would have to shell out nearly $1000 for software alone. Ubuntu throws the knockout punch by offering all this for not only free, but also in a package written well enough that it installs in under 20 minutes and runs on hardware that would buckle under the weight of]]> http://helpmerick.com/get-a-new-computer-for-almost-free.htm/feed 6 http://helpmerick.com/linux-growing-rapidly.htm http://helpmerick.com/linux-growing-rapidly.htm#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:07:39 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2041 I never thought I would write about or like Linux as much as I do. If you search HelpMeRick.com for Linux or Ubuntu, you will get a plethora of information.

Today, I received an email from Bill in Kentucky, who is an avid listener of our web show. He sent me links to stories of major organizations from all over the world describing the exodus from Windows to Linux. Cost is definitely a factor, but the functionality, safety and stability of Linux also ranks very high for the switching organizations. Listed below are the articles for you to read for yourself....thanks Bill in KY!

Although Evolution comes with Ubuntu automatically, I still recommend using]]> http://helpmerick.com/ubuntu-client-update.htm/feed 0 http://helpmerick.com/possible-ubuntu-alternative-freespire.htm http://helpmerick.com/possible-ubuntu-alternative-freespire.htm#comments Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:46:13 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=1771 http://www.freespire.org/ Freespire is the free version of Linspire (which used to be Lindows before Microsoft sued them). They started releasing a free version a while back to try to get some more community development going. I recommend it because they start their codebase with Ubuntu version 7.04 (so underneath the hood, it's completely Ubuntu), but they add in a bunch of really useful stuff.]]> http://helpmerick.com/possible-ubuntu-alternative-freespire.htm/feed 3 http://helpmerick.com/introduction-to-ubuntu-linux-september-2007.htm http://helpmerick.com/introduction-to-ubuntu-linux-september-2007.htm#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:01:01 +0000 Rick http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=1721

I have written much about Ubuntu over the past six months, but today was my first public presentation of this fantastic operating system. Because it is different, many computer users tend to look upon it with eyes of confusion, but after discussing the possibilities and the opportunities with Ubuntu, those confused eyes turn to eyes of intrigue.

Getting people to think about an alternative to Windows and computing as we know it today were My only goals for today's user group presentation. If you missed it, or you attended, here are some links to Ubuntu articles here at HelpMeRick.com and elsewhere:

• Best place to start with Ubuntu: My 5 Minute Video Tour of Ubuntu
• How to burn the Ubuntu file you downloaded
  
• Ubuntu Documentation from Ubuntu web site
•  All of my Ubuntu Tips in one list
• All articles Adam or I have written about Ubuntu
• Wikipedia article on what "Open Source" is and means.
  

OpenOffice programs are completely compatible with Microsoft Office programs and allows you to read, edit, and create Office documents without owning the Microsoft Office suite. Here is a list of the programs and their functions in Open Office: