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Why do you put Linux on these machines? Why not Microsoft Windows?
We build and give away hundreds of computers in a years time. Microsoft licensing demands that for each computer you install Windows, you must purchase a "license". By using Windows we would spend your contributions on software and reduce the numbers of machines we supply to our kids by at least 90 percent.
Linux costs us (or you) nothing.
Also, in our first three years of doing this, our request for free or reduced cost Microsoft Windows disks were ignored.
But money, while important, was not the only factor in our decision.
You never really "own" any of the software you "purchase" from Microsoft. What you have purchased is the privilege of using that software.
You are merely leasing it from them. In the Microsoft Licensing Agreement (EULA) they state that they or any third party vendor can come into your computer and do about anything they wish to do. delete your data, render it unusable or report it to anyone they think might be interested in it. We personally do not think that anyone needs these invasive restrictions on their personal computer and we now refuse to use any Microsoft product that restricts the user's freedoms.
Linux is written and published to the world under the GPL, a license that not only allows the user to give it away as one sees fit, anyone can alter the software to meet their specific needs.
Fortunately for many, there is a viable and competitive alternative to Microsoft Windows. We are proud to help represent the Open Source Community by offering it on our computers. The US lags far behind the rest of the world in the use and acceptance of Linux. This is one way to help us catch up.
If you are interested in learning a bit more about Linux and finding out how it is simply a better fit into your computing world, Fox News has a great story here.
Not sure where to start with Linux or just do not have the time to make the switch yourself? Click the icon above or you can click here Full service Linux professionals are ready to guide you on your way.