Free Linux Installation Assistance
Linux is the epitome of the FLOSS model. For a developing country like India, the FLOSS paradigm works out to be an optimal solution. This is not just because FLOSS philosophy means free software, although it is one of the crucial factors.
We at Zyxware would like to offer our services for free for people interested in trying out Linux. Currently we will be providing this service only to people in Trivandrum. If you would like to install Linux on your PC we will be more than happy to send one of our service engineers and install it on your PC. Dont worry about trying it out - your old operating system will be maintained as it is. All you would need is around 5GB of free hard disk space and you are ready. If you would like to know more about linux or, to see how it works or, to try it out on your PC, give us a call at 0471-4063818 or drop by our office.
FLOSS is not just about free stuff but it is more about the freedom - a freedom to choose. There is always the much touted cost factor. It is true that the software is free but there are operational costs. There has been aspersions cast about the TCO(Total Cost of ownership - purchase cost + maintenance cost + efficiency cost) being higher for FLOSS solutions. However several independent studies over large sample sets have indicated that it is in the contrary. FLOSS promotes local industry and local businesses through the software support model. Add to it the fact that there is no cash outflow from the country for software purchases, FLOSS is a dream-come-true solution for developing countries.
GNU Linux as an operating system has come a long way since it started out. It has been seen that there is a wrong notion among people, who are ignorant about Linux, that the system is not user friendly. This was true some time ago but not anymore. The GUI has all the features that normal users are used to on a Windows desktop. Additionally most Linux distributions comes with most of the popular applications that a normal PC user would require. This would include office applications, web browser, chat applications, graphics editors, multimedia players for the basic user. For the power users the system can be preloaded with database servers, web servers and hosts of other application servers and applications.
Our preferred Linux distribution is Ubuntu and its variants - Kubuntu (with the KDE desktop), Edubuntu (preloaded with educational applications), Xubuntu (with the much lighter XFCE desktops targeting older systems). Ubuntu is one of the fastest growing Linux distribution available in the market. It is very easy to install and even easier to use. The installation is so much more simpler than a Windows installation and takes less than half the time too. The default installation comes with almost all applications that a normal home or office user would require. Any additional application can be installed in a few clicks using the built in package manager - apt + synaptic. Ubuntu has a very dynamic community that is willing to support people for any and all issues. Commercial or Governmental establishments can get paid support from any of the Linux Support Companies - including Zyxware.
We also give away free Original Ubuntu CDs. We get our Ubuntu CDs in bulk from ubuntu.com. You can also request for free CDs from shipit.ubuntu.com . However we feel that it would be cheaper for Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, if you get the CDs from us. If you like any other distribution or other flavours of Ubuntu we can download it using our high speed connection and write CDs for you
