Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education

Kanjikuzhi
Assignment on

Topic: FOSS,UBUNDU AND LINUX

Submitted to: LISSY KOSHY
Submitted by: NEETHI THOMAS
CLASS: PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Roll No-160011001399

INTRODUCTION
As the adoption of Free and Open Source Software

(FOSS) is rapidly increasing, some

countries have been mandating the use of FOSS in all government sectors, while other
countries are in the process of adopting FOSS strategies. In addition, many education
institutions have been adopting FOSS and have a competitive advantage over other
institutions. The reasons of adopting FOSS are vary from one county to another and from
one institution to another. However the main drives to this strategy are total cost ownership,
free to make copies and distribute to others without being worried of software legality,
reliability, availability, performance and security issues.
To use free software is to make a political and ethical choice asserting the right to learn,
and share what we learn with others. Free software has become the foundation of a
learning society where we share our knowledge in a way that others can build upon and
enjoy.
Currently, many people use proprietary software that denies users these freedoms and
benefits. If we make a copy and give it to a friend, if we try to figure out how the
program works, if we put a copy on more than one of our own computers in our own
home, we could be caught and fined or put in jail. Thats whats in the fine print of the
license agreement accept when using proprietary software.
Linux is the best-known and most-used open source operating system. As an operating
system, Linux is software that sits underneath all of the other software on a computer,
receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computers
hardware.
Ubuntu software is free. Always was, always will be. Free software gives everyone the
freedom to use it however they want and share with whoever they like. This freedom
has huge benefits. At one end of the spectrum it enables the Ubuntu community to grow
and share its collective experience and expertise to continually improve all things . At
the other, we are able to give access to essential software for those who couldnt
otherwise afford it an advantage thats keenly felt by individuals and organisations all
over the world.

FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS)

Free and open source software (FOSS), also known as free/libre open source software
(FLOSS) and free/open source software (F/OSS), is software developed by informal
collaborative networks of programmers. The operating system is free to use and
everyone has the freedom to contribute to its development. This co-operative
development model means that everyone can benefit. Because of this, we like to call
it Free Software, or Socially Responsible Software. Closely related is the concept
of Open Source Software. Together, Free and Open Source Software is collectively
abbreviated

as FOSS.

This contrasts with

the proprietary (or closed

source)

development model used by some software companies today.

The Free Software Foundation was founded in 1985. Free software Foundation
promotes the users right to use, study, copy, modify, and redistribute computer
programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as in freedom) software
(Mainly GNU operating system or GNU/Linux). The web sites of Free Software
Foundation are http://www.fsf.org and http://www.gnu.org.
The word "Free" in "Free software" is related with liberty, not price. You should think
of the word "Free" as in "free speech," not as in "free beer."Free software promotes
users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. Free
software refers to four kinds of freedom as listed below:
1) The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
2) The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom
1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
3) The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour (freedom 2).
4) The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements (and modified
versions in general) to the public, so that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).
Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The

benefits

of

using

FOSS

can

include

decreasing

software

costs,

increasing security and stability (especially in regard to malware), protecting privacy,

and giving users more control over their own hardware. Free, open-source operating
systems such as Linux and descendents of BSD are widely utilized today, powering
millions of servers, desktops, smart phones (e.g. Android), and other devices. Free
software licenses and open-source licenses are used by many software packages.
Richard Matthew Stallman (born March 16, 1953), often known by his
initials, rms, is an American software freedom activist and programmer. He campaigns
for software to be distributed in a manner such that its users receive the freedoms to
use, study, distribute and modify that software. Software that ensures these freedoms is
termed free software. Stallman launched the GNU Project, founded the Free Software
Foundation, developed the GNU Compiler Collection and GNU Emacs, and wrote the
GNU General. Public License.
Stallman launched the GNU Project in September 1983 to create a Unixlike computer operating system composed entirely of free software. With this, he also
launched the free software movement. He has been the GNU project's lead architect and
organizer, and developed a number of pieces of widely used GNU software including,
among others, the GNU Compiler Collection, the GNU Debugger and the GNU Emacs
text editor. In October 1985 he founded the Free Software Foundation.
Stallman pioneered the concept of copy left, which uses the principles of copyright law
to preserve the right to use, modify and distribute free software, and is the main author
of free software licenses which describe those terms, most notably the GNU General
Public License (GPL), the most widely used free software license.
LINUX
Linux is an operating system; a series of programs that let you interact with your
computer and run other programs. An operating system consists of various fundamental
programs which are needed by your computer so that it can communicate and receive
instructions from users ; read and write data to hard disks, tapes, and printers; control
the use of memory; and run other software. The most important part of an operating
system is the kernel. In a GNU/Linux system, Linux kernel is the component. The rest
of the system consists of other programs, many of which were written by or for the
GNU Project. Because the Linux kernel alone does not form a working operating

system, we prefer to use the term GNU/ Linux to refer to systems that many people
casually refer to as Linux.
There are various GNU/Linux operating systems available, often referred to as
GNU/Linux distros ("distro" being short for distribution.). Distros each have their own
benefits, because the software that comes pre-installed varies, and the Linux kernel may
not have been compiled (built) with identical features. For example, a GNU/Linux
distro that is designed for older computers may include programs with lower system
requirements, the kernel may be compiled with support for older hardware, and etc.
There are thousands of GNU/Linux distributions ranging from those made by large
companies to ones made by some made by individual people. The key GNU/Linux
distros are: Ubuntu Desktop, Lubuntu, Kubuntu, Debian, Linux Mint Mate, Linux Mint
Cinnamon, and Puppy Linux.
The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating
system which is free software: the GNU system. GNU's kernel isn't finished, so GNU is
used with the kernel Linux. The combination of GNU and Linux is the GNU/Linux
operating system.
Linus Benedict Torvalds (born December 28, 1969) began the development of Linux,
an operating system kernel, and today acts as the project coordinator Inspired by
MINIX (a kernel and operating system developed by Andrew Tanenbaum), he felt the
need for a capable UNIX operating system that he could run on his home PC. MINIX
was a small UNIX-like operating system written by Professor Andrew Tanenbaum.
MINIX was written from scratch, with no AT&T code, for teaching purpose. MINIX is
a UNIX like operating system and is very useful for anyone who wants to learn the
basics of UNIX operation.
Torvalds did the original development of the Linux kernel primarily in his own time and on
his equipment. Torvalds originally used Minix on his computer, a simplified kernel written by
Andrew Tanenbaum for teaching operating system design. The Linux system quickly
surpassed Minix in functionality.The first version of the Linux kernel was released to the
Internet in September 1991. With the second version following shortly thereafter in October.

Advantages of Linux
Freedom
Most Linux distros are free users do not need to pay for a copy, but this is only one aspect of
freedom enjoyed by Linux users! In addition, Linux distros can be freely downloaded and
legally installed on as many computers as you want and freely (and legally) given to other
people.
Linux is very stable
Linux systems rarely crash, and when they do, the whole system normally does not go
down. The blue screen of death familiar to Windows users is not a worry for Linux
users.
Linux is less vulnerable to computer malware
Because most computer malware are designed to attack Windows (often through
Active which is not typically found in Linux) the odds are considerably less for Linux
to be infected with a virus than Windows. The same holds true with spyware, trojans,
and worms.
Linux typically does not slow down over time
Unlike Windows, Linux does not easily become bogged down with spyware, viruses,
trojans, etc., which can greatly reduce a computers performance. Also, because Linux
does not have a registry like Windows, it is not plagued with registry errors which can
slow down a computer over time
Linux can breathe new life into old computers
If you have an older computer (especially Pentium III or later) lying around, you can
install Linux and in essence have a new computer. In many cases Linux will run faster
and you can do all of the basics such as browse the Internet, email, play games, and
create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations. It should also
be mentioned that Linux runs great on newer computers as well.

With Linux, you have so many choices in a wide variety of distros

Linux comes in all sizes and flavours, which offers a wide variety from which to
choose the distro which will best suit your needs. Another advantage of this variety is
the innovation that is taking place in the Linux world because it is open source.
With many Linux distros, you have access to free software which numbers in the
thousands
Popular distros such as Ubuntu, PC Linux OS, and Open SUSE offer excellent software
repositories within their package managers where virtually any type of software can be
downloaded and installed to your Linux system for free. This includes just about
anything you can imagine, such as games, educational software, office suites, and much
more.
A superior method of updating software
With Linux distros such as Ubuntu, Open SUSE, PCLinuxOS, Fedora and many others, the
majority of any software needed can be downloaded, installed, and updated from a central
package management system provided by the distro. The result is a very smooth and seamless
software updating process for Linux users.

Disadvantages of Linux
Many windows programs will not run in Linux.
ITunes, Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer and many other Windows programs will not run
natively in Linux. Compatibility in both suites is good with Microsoft Office formats, it is not
perfect.
There is a smaller selection of peripheral hardware drivers for Linux.
There is a smaller selection of peripheral hardware drivers (for printers, scanners, and other
devices) in Linux as compared to Windows, though many new Linux hardware drivers are
constantly being added.
There is a learning curve for people who are new to Linux.
Despite this, most Linux distros, especially the major ones, are very intuitive and userfriendly. Also, the desktop environments in Linux are in many ways similar to Windows in
their appearance. One thing which should be emphasized is that there is also a learning curve
for Windows XP users who switch to Windows 7 or Windows 8.

UBUNTU
Ubuntu

(/bunt/ uu-BOON-tuu)

is

Debainbased

Linux

Operating

system and distribution for personal computers, smart phones and network servers. It uses Unity as
its default user interface. It is based on free software and named after the Southern African philosophy
of ubuntu (literally, 'human-ness'), which Canonical Ltd suggests can be loosely translated as
"humanity to others" or "I am what I am because of who we all are".

Development of Ubuntu is led by UK-based Canonical Ltd, a company of South

African entrepreneur Mark Shuttle worth. Canonical generates revenue through the sale
of technical support and other services related to Ubuntu. The Ubuntu project is
publicly committed to the principles of open-source software development; people are
encouraged to use free software, study how it works, improve upon it, and distribute it.
Ubuntu is a complete Linux-based operating system, freely available with both community
and professional support.
The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Manifesto: that software
should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their
local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to
customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. Built on Debian. Focus on
global community. Very user friendly, very good choice of best-of-breed software in each
field.

Desktop users. Great for beginners with room for experts. $ free they even ship it

free to projects that apply.

Ubuntu is built on Debian's architecture and infrastructure, to provide Linux server,
desktop, phone, tablet and TV operating systems. Ubuntu releases updated versions
predictably every six months and each release receives free support for nine months
(eighteen months prior to 13.04) with security fixes, high-impact bug fixes and
substantially conservative. A default installation of Ubuntu contains a wide range of
software that includes libreoffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, Transmission, and several
lightweight games such as Sudokuand chess. Many additional software packages are
accessible from the built in Ubuntu Software Center as well as any other APTbased package

management tool.

Many

additional

software

packages,

such

as Evolution, GIMP, Pidgin, and Synaptic, that are no longer installed by default, are

still accessible in the repositories, installable with the built in Ubuntu Software Center;
or by any other APT-based package management tool.
Ubuntu operates under the GNU General Public License (GPL) and all of the
application software installed by default is free software. In addition, Ubuntu installs
some hardware drivers that are available only in binary format, but such packages are
clearly marked in the restricted component.
Ubuntu's goal is to be secure "out-of-the box". By default, the user's programs run with low
privileges and cannot corrupt the operating system or other users' files. For increased security,
the sudo tool is used to assign temporary privileges for performing administrative tasks,
which allows the root account to remain locked and helps prevent inexperienced users from
inadvertently /making catastrophic system changes or opening security holes.

Advantages of using Ubuntu OS

Some advantages of this powerful operating system that will force to install it on
system.
1. Ubuntu is one of the most secured operating system and defines the highest level of
security as compared other operating system.
2. Ubuntu is an open source OS.
3. Ubuntu is most popular Linux operating system.
4. Most of the soft-wares in Ubuntu are pre-installed to enhance user experience.
5. It is available free of cost.
6. 1 GHz x 86 processor (Above Pentium 4)
7. 512 MB Ram
8. 5 GB space must be free on hard drive
9. Graphic card with 800 x 600 resolution

10. USB port or DVD drive for media installation

Disadvantages of Ubuntu
Though the operating system is powerful and had improved the user experience, but stills it
carry strong lags that must be taken into consideration before installing Ubuntu OS.
1. Ubuntu is very conventional to new technologies. You can instead go for Fedora
Distro.
2. It is very perceptive to faults in hardware which makes it less steady as compared to
other operating systems.
3. There is a little hardware support for Ubuntu OS. Some of the users complain that it
becomes difficult to configure modem to start work on internet.
4. It is not possible to play the modern games in Ubuntu OS. It shows the poor graphics
quality.
5. Though Linux (Ubuntu) has number of free applications and software available on
net, but most of the applications are not found for Linux use.
6. Ubuntu is not capable of playing MP3 files by default.
7. The forum support for Ubuntu is really very poor. It takes weeks and even months to
get our query solved.
8. The installation of Ubuntu is one of the major problems. It does not come installed in
modern PCs. One needs to install it by himself.
9. The drivers support is also absent in most of the cases as compared other operating
system.
10. And finally one more major drawback of Ubuntu is that a user switching from
Windows or MAC will not like user experience on Ubuntu and will have difficulty in
operating the OS.

Ubuntu is most secured OS known till date. But I will personally prefer to go with
Windows OS because of its user friendliness and great support. Also Windows is the
widely used OS all over the world and can be made secured with the help of antivirus
software.
CONCLUSION
Free and open source software is free to use and everyone has the freedom to contribute to its
development. Free software Foundation promotes the users right to use, study, copy, modify,
and redistribute computer programs. The FSF promotes the development and use of free (as
in freedom) software (Mainly GNU operating system or GNU/Linux). Linux is the bestknown and most-used open source operating system. Linux is less likely to crash, better able
to run more than one program at the same time, and more secure than many operating
systems. Ubuntu software is free. Always was, always will be. Free software gives everyone
the freedom to use it however they want and share with whoever they like. This freedom has
huge benefits. At one end of the spectrum it enables the Ubuntu community to grow and
share its collective experience and expertise to continually improve all things.

REFERENCE
http://wire.less.dk [email protected]
https://renewable pcs.wordpress.com/about-linux/advantages-of-using-linux
www.drawbacksof.com/disadvantages-ubuntu
https://opensource.com
IT@School, General Education Department, Govt of Kerala.
http://www.webhostinghub.com/support/introduction-to-linux-be
https://en.m.wikipedia.org
searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com