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Introducing GNU/Linux Via Applications

Posted by kdawson on from the in-the-side-door dept.

An anonymous reader writes "A common problem with GNU/Linux for new users is not the operating system, but the switch in applications they must undertake to use it. Many who try to make the switch have little experience with the common open source applications available under GNU/Linux. The Kutztown GNU/Linux User Group, in Pennsylvania, is helping to change that on a large scale by distributing open source applications to faculty on Microsoft Windows machines first. Instead of selling GNU/Linux, the group is selling open source. Faculty at the school have been provided discs containing a number of popular open source applications compatible with Windows as part of a larger program to get more users to consider switching operating systems."

4 of 223 comments (clear)

  1. KDE 4 by javilon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    When KDE 4 is released, many of its apps will be compiled for windows. There are some of them like amarok and k3b that are the best in their class, including closed source ones, and there are others that are as good as the closed sourced ones like krita, krusader, scribus, kivio and some others.
    When they are available for windows, and if you also consider firefox, thunderbird and openoffice you will be able to run a windows system with most of the applications open sourced.

    --


    When his defense asked, "Which computer has Jon Johansen trespassed upon?" the answer was: "His own."
    1. Re:KDE 4 by pavon · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The tenative release date for KDE 4 (unix) is around the end of October. The developers hope for the Windows port to be runnable (technology preview / alpha quality) at that time. I know, I am chomping at the bit myself :)

  2. At KCLUG, we called it the 'Gateway Drug' by The+Monster · · Score: 4, Interesting

    We handed out CDs with Windows versions of FOSS apps. If people find that they can do their jobs just fine with those apps instead of Windows-only apps, then the OS doesn't matter to them anymore. Then Ubuntu came along with a combo live CD and Windows installer for several FOSS apps as an added bonus, so we've settled on that as our new sampler. I do get a kick out of the fact that Kubuntu has Firefox for Windows on the CD, but not for Linux. (Not that synaptic can't add it in a hurry.)

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    [100% ISO 646 Compliant]
    SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.

  3. Re:Good start... by dvice_null · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was a newbie with both Photoshop and Gimp. Here are the results:
    - With Gimp, I could draw some images, but I couldn't draw lines with it (later I learned how to do that)
    - With Photoshop, I couldn't draw anything. Never figured out how to do this.

    So I think that both are complex and not intuitive enough. But because other is free and the other is not, I would certainly choose Gimp and learn using it.