Weren't computer supposed to make our lives easier? Shouldn't your computer do what YOU say, and not vice-versa? Why should you have to spend your hard earned cash on a computer that doesn't do what you want, when you want it to? You probably shopped around before buying most of your other household appliances, why not look at some alternatives to Microsoft Windows?
Whether you're looking for simplicity, security, or just peace of mind, something brought you here. Operating systems aren't only developed behind closed doors of Redmond. There exist quite a few alternatives to Windows and some of them you've probably heard of. Before getting into the specific alternatives it's necessary to give a little background information - mainly on Unix and Open Source Software.
Unix was an Operating system originally created by AT&T's employee's in the 1960's. It was meant for portability, security, and clarity. The Unix philosophy splits tasks up to be accomplished (and accomplished well) by groups of smaller programs rather then a large complex kernel. There's a familiar filing system for Unix based Operating systems; files that configure your computer are editable in plain text. Unix was made to be simple, and usable. The Open Group that sets the standards for computing defines Unix with the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) standards.
When software is free, it can be free as in "FREE BEER!" or free as in "Free to distribute, edit, reproduce, and use" (Open Source). Microsoft Windows is not free in either sense of the word. Much of Windows is closed source and they take great pains to insure their software is not pirated. Some Versions of Linux are Open Source - but you have to purchase the software.
