Tune in to "Free Software" guru Mark Shuttleworth on American Vigilance Coast to Coast

Ubuntu is open source software, meaning anyone can view the source code that makes it up, allowing for people to verify that it in fact does not contain government spy code. If someone were to try to patch some code like that into such a project, it would become widely know before too long. That doesn't mean it's impossible for governments to do something like that, but it's far less likely than in the case of closed source proprietary operting systems such as Windows or OS X.

As far as the security of the hardware of a computer, I can't think of anything off the top of my head in commodity hardware that would allow the government to access it without physically being at the machine (anyone can access the info at that point, if it's not encrypted, which Ubuntu allows you to do with the alternate install disc, and Truecrypt allows you to do with Windows systems).

As far as the capabilities of Ubuntu and other Linux OS's, they are able to do most things that Windows can do, and can run a lot of open source counter-parts of proprietary software (open office in place of ms office, etc). Linux does not come with Internet Explorer, but it Ubuntu and others usually come with Firefox or similar project. Firefox extensions such as Macromedia Flash and MS Silverlight (Moonlight on Linux) aren't installed by default, but can be installed. Other things such as being able to watch dvd's, listen to mp3's, and other media related things often don't have the codecs installed by default on Linux OS's, but you can install them if you want them.

Generally on Linux, if there's something that most people do on computers (like listen to mp3's), but the capability isn't in your OS by default, it's usually due to software licensing issues. The MP3 format, DVD decryption code, etc, all have license restrictions that prevent you from legally installing it in your system if you didn't get the software from an authorized entity. Sometimes it could just be because it's proprietary software, and the Linux distributor wants only open source software in the default installation.

As far as watching videos on google and youtube, etc, you need macromedia flash, or one of the open source alternatives installed. I think Ubuntu has the Macromedia Flash for Firefox in it's repositories. I think all you'd have to do is open the package manager (menu: Applications -> Add/Remove OR System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager). Installing that and closing and reopening firefox should allow you to view videos.

As far as the security of Linux itself...it's far more secure than windows. How permissions are dealt with in the system prevent a user from destroying anything more than his own account on the machine. No other person's account, nor the system as a whole is damaged. Now the occasional bug in the kernel has the potential to allow that to be untrue, as long as you're using the buggy version, but under normal circumstances, only the account of the person that tried to run malicious code will be damaged.

Overall, Linux is far more secure than Windows. Viruses in the wild for Linux...0. There's the occasional proof of concept code that someone will release, but then patches for the affected software usually quickly follow, if they weren't released before the proof of concept code. Rootkits in the wild for Linux...pretty much the same situation as viruses. Worms every once in a long while take advantage of some Linux bug, but are fairly rare. The biggest threat to Linux security is the user leaving the SSH service open to the internet (not a threat in itself) while having an account with a weak password accessible through SSH. While weak passwords are common, regular desktop users don't need SSH turned on, and I don't think Ubuntu turns it on by default.

Hopefully that helps.

"Freedom Isn't Free!" How many times have you heard THAT in the past year? The phrase applies equally to free software.

First, I want you to know there are many versions of GNU/Linux, of which Ubuntu is only one. The varieties are truly astounding. Many of them are not appropriate for Linux "newbies" because they don't automate everything like Windows does.

What is this "freedom" we speak of in free software? This freedom gives control of your computer to YOU! And the more you understand the operating system, the more you can protect yourself and your computer. It takes work and dedication to learn they OS--kind of like studying the writings of our Founding Fathers and Mothers.

Do not be discouraged if things don't work exactly right. That is the price we pay for software freedom, but there are many sources of help: Books, how-to's, and forums. Linuxquestions.org is my favorite. I hope that you will continue to investigate!

nice strawman argument - do you understand this very basic principle?

it means that you're setting up a scenario that doesn't exist...."no you don't have permission to tinker with my software"

no one ever said they did have permission.

is the word "alternative" in your vocabulary? as you seemed to miss the entire point of open source software....it's an alternative.

sheesh.

if someone were to offer up the idea that all software should be mandated to use an opensource license, not only would I not support that, I would ridicule them....just like I'm ridiculing you.

so take your strawman "they're trying to force me to give permission" and take a hike

either that or backup your claims

"Licensing" isn't the only way to make money from software. Creative people invent new business models all the time - that's the free market at work.

You're still working under a dying business model, one which requires government intervention to keep alive.

I'll never use your software. i use 100% free software and guess what? i don't have anyone posting online saying i'm stealing his labor cos im not. i find free software developers to be friendlier...

btw free software developers get paid too (except for the hobbyists and the ones who make stuff to use themselves and then kindly release it for general usage) its free as in free to own and bear arms. not free as in the arms themselves.

ggibson, just cool your jets! You say the FSF doesn't understand; well it's you that doesn't understand the FSF. No one is trying to steal your work. Your software is uneffected by the GPL because you did not write GPL software. Why should you feel that your rights are violated?

Thousands of people contribute to GPL software every day, knowing that it is "free, as in freedom", which means it is free to use and alter if you desire. But the GPL license stays in effect. What begins as free stays free.

"Free software" has no connection to "salary". Developers can and do earn a living at it, and companies can and do sell free software.

along with his MACs. He only repairs Windows OS at work - wouldn't have one at home!

Also free.

I'm running Hardy Heron on my laptop. IMHO it's the first version that's really ready for prime time as a desktop system for non-nerds (or too-busy-to-sysadmin nerds). And it's the latest "long-term support (3 years minimum)" release.

Caveat: Canonical is a stickler about not putting any non-open software (such as proprietary drivers for using the whiz-bang features of your video chip) in the Ubuntu distribution or taking risks on potentially legally-suppressed software (like CSS decoders for DVDs). So you may have to download a couple things to get your machine to do what you want.

However the tools to handle this ARE included, along with instructions and pointers to the repositories. So it's just a few clicks. As with the distribution itself the non-free stuff is also supported by the online package management system. So once you've installed it the update tool tracks new releases, notifies you, and (if you approve them) installs them for you.

Yes, that IS correct; Richard Stallman is The Man. In my opinion, RMS--as he is commonly referred to--is the Ron Paul of software and intellectual property rights.

Mark Shuttleworth did a wonderful thing by financing a GNU/Linux OS (Ubuntu) and promoting it world-wide. For that we are all thankful. But Richard Stallman is the real hero, and I've often thought he belongs in our revolution. Please read about him on Wikipedia!

The American Vigilence web-site is probably more accurate when the refer to him as "Mark Shuttleworth, founder of the Ubuntu, Linux Operating System!!!" (http://www.americanvigila...) and would be even more clear if they modified it to say "... of Ubuntu, one of the many Linux Operating Systems!!!"