|
|
Linux Applications
GNU/Linux has taken
the world of computers by storm. At one time, personal computer
users were forced to choose among proprietary operating environments
and applications. Users had no way of fixing or improving these
programs, could not look "under the hood," and were
often forced to accept restrictive licenses. GNU/Linux and other
open source systems have changed that—now PC users, administrators,
and developers can choose a free operating environment complete
with tools, applications, and full source code.
A great deal of the
success of GNU/Linux is owed to its open source nature. Because
the source code for programs is publicly available, everyone can
take part in development, whether by fixing a small bug or by
developing and distributing a complete major application. This
opportunity has enticed thousands of capable developers worldwide
to contribute new components and improvements to GNU/Linux, to
the point that modern GNU/Linux systems rival the features of
any proprietary system, and distributions include thousands of
programs and applications spanning many CDROMs or DVDs.
|
