for those who don't know what open source software is then these are applications or services, so us the end users can see code (programming behind) and modify it for our needs. Usually those projects are community driven and some got quite good quality. Most important those are free.
Few years ago i would never advice basic PC user to move to Linux and use all software in it simply because it was hard and buggy which required advanced pc experience. Nowadays anyone can operate Linux such as Ubuntu which already comes with bunch of free and sometimes good software fir regular computer user. I'm not part of Ubuntu team or other group related to them, my advice of Ubuntu came from known ease of use.
Let's start who shouldn't even consider a move to Linux, these would be gamers. Linux rarely supports new games due to some complicated issues and Microsoft's monopoly. Professional who uses software that known not working on Linux ie. most of Microsoft's, Autodesk and Adobe software. Professionals should know these brands.
So if you using PC to surf internet, watch movies, listen to music, play around with cool free stuff, Linux is the answer...
Reason why i post it is that i've seen here and there ppl ask for software they don't know to use or never would use 10% even that they download pirated one. Linux and all open source software packs coming with it are just enough,,, unless you know exactly what you need.
again, i'm Windows user because i'm MS/Adobe user which have no fair comparison item in Linux,,, maybe you should try...
www.ubuntu.com or
www.linuxmint.com would me my checked advices for newbie Linux user. Both easy to install and could be downloaded directly from their home sites.
so Ubuntu and LinuxMint are Operational Systems (OS) like Windows, if you want to keep Windows as your OS but would like to try Open source Software here small list i use or/and know to be fine.
all of these work both for Windows and Linux and 100% FREE
jZip (
www.jzip.com ) - like WinZip WinRar WinAce
inkscape (
www.inkscape.org ) - like Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand
gimp (
www.gimp.org ) - line Adobe Photoshop / Corel Draw
AVG ( free.grisoft.com ) - Antivirus, better than being without one or using pirated one which can free pass to viruses anyway
Aptana (
www.aptana.com ) - like Adobe Dreamweaver
Open Office (
www.openoffice.org ) - like Microsoft Office
Audiocity ( audacity.sourceforge.net ) - like Sony Sound Forge
Scribus (
www.scribus.net ) - like Abode Indesign
i use Open Office, AVG and 7zip (non GUI version of jZip)
