I get emails offering me unbelievably low prices on top shelf software. Imagine buying Adobe Photoshop, a $600.00 software application, for only $199.00! Wow! Or how about Window 7 Ultimate (regularly $400.00) for only 80.00! Want MSOffice Professional ? Why pay $600.00 when you can pay $60.00?!
Well, all these email offers and web sites are suspect. This is a case of “if it sounds too good to be true…”
However, there is a legitimate, low cost, powerful alternative.
Linux is free. All the software for Linux is free.
Simply choose a Linux distribution, install it on your computer, get involved in the community, and…that’s it! With Linux, you’ll have a nice clean desktop, hundreds of cutting edge software applications, and a more secure computing experience than Windows. (Linux is immune to windows viruses.)
A few years ago, Apple did an ad campaign that was widely imitated. It was called “Switch.” The commercials showed former PC users standing against a white background talking about why they switched to Mac.
Well, this commercial was hugely popular and brought about a lot of parodies. Some of the most creative parodies involved ads showing people who switched to Linux. Which, in my opinion, has always been the better choice.
My favorite comes from Chris at dangercollie.com. (The ad is below. Simply click the link to play). Not only is it a neat parody of the original Mac Switch commercial, it’s quite informative. Chris gave me permission to run it here on my blog. Listen to the ad and what is being said. It’s all true. Linux installs easily, finds all your hardware and Internet connection and starts running with a nice clean display and wonderful software already installed. And the cost (and ownership under the GPL) can’t be beat! So, what do you want to do? Spend a bundle of money on a Windows system, or simply Get Linux (and save a bundle)? And sometimes, the best way to get Linux is to buy a new system with Linux pre-installed.
But, the best part is, you won’t be tempted to buy into a “too good to be true” Windows software offer. Linux already has everything for you!
Regardless of the Linux distro or how you get it, it’s the right move to make. Enjoy the Linux ad!