| Erik's linux page: Linux information for beginners and advanced users | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prev | Chapter 2. Some general words about Linux, mostly for new users. | Next |
Is there any software for Linux ?
This is another general misunderstanding; people think since Linux is free, there can't be any good software running on the OS. Completely wrong ! Quite the opposite, there is a large number of software packages, available for free, with the capabilities of commercial software packages for other operating systems. Most software is distributed as source code, so a small knowledge about programming, especially 'C', is good when you're running Linux. Nowadays, with modern distributions such as Debian and Redhat, there are packages, containing pre compiled software, with installation scripts placing the files at the right place, often asking you questions about how the software should be setup.
Lately, a lot of commercial packages has been ported to Linux. Including software like Oracle's databases, SAP R/3, Staroffice and Informix databases just to mention a few.
Sure it's nice with free software, but where do I get any support ?
Ask someone in a newsgroup, a fido discussion, an e-mail list or just e-mail the author.. somewhere there is someone who have or had the same problem you have. He or she will most probably help you, for free !
Aren't there any commercial software ?
Sure there is, and it's coming more and more... Check out http://www.linux.org/apps/applications.html for some good examples..