Technology for the Masses

Okay, so I need a place to rant and what better place than in the Blog World. In the process maybe I will hit a nerve or two or just maybe help the lights come on for others.

I have been a computer tech for the last 10 years. I have mostly worked on computers for home users and small businesses, and have been through 4 generations of Microsoft Windows Operating System, including the whole Y2K thing. With each and every new release of Windows I get a flurry of job requests for upgrades. The problem is they are for upgrades two or more generations back to the last release and not the new current release (Win 98 1st ed. to XP Home, after Vista release). The people I deal with are on very limited budgets and cannot afford to replace/upgrade computer equipment and software at the same time, the cost which sometimes runs as high as $500 for everything, parts, software, and my fee.

So then they are left with the decision of whether to upgrade or buy a new cheap system from Wal-Mart, which neither one they can afford, and the later I do not recommend. Here's the rub, they all insist on Windows because that is what they know and everything they are exposed to promotes the use of Microsoft products. Even though I could solve their problems once and for all with a free copy of any Linux distribution and a $50 installation service fee.

My view of the computer/internet/software/operating system issue is this: home computers are mainly access points to the internet, otherwise they devolve into glorified typewriters/calculators/game machines. If you need to play games get a PS2 or X-Box, you really don't need a $3,000 game machine when you can get one for $4oo. It has been my experience that very few people actually use the full power of their CPU's and Memory, at least the ones I deal with. The biggest consumer of your computer's computing power is the operating system, second would be highly graphical games or programs (like CADs). So I have come to the conclusion that 100% of my "home" customers could be using a 800 MHz processor and 500 MB of memory (current industry standard is 2.0 to 2.6 GHz Dual Core with 1 to 2 GB of memory). Because very few of them do much more than run an accounting program, type documents, send email, and surf the net, why in the world do they need all that computing power? The answer is simple, to run the new Windows' operating system.

I view the internet as a dynamic interactive library, that includes mail order catalogs, games, global communication of messages and ideas, along with information, education and news. In my opinion the internet is by it's very nature the ultimate in the expression of free speech (blogger.com). It can also be used as the ultimate library (wikipedia.com). However, one only needs a broadband internet connection to experience these things to their fullest, not a high powered computer.

I personally don't have anything against Bill Gates, but by all the gods, how much money does one man need? Sure he does the Africa AIDs thing, which isn't a bad concept, but I am getting off point. The sick part of Bill Gate's wealth is that you and I have handed it to him unquestioned, and continue to do so with out thinking, even though we have other choices.

Many of my readers boycott Wal-Mart for the same reasons we should be boycotting Microsoft but we don't and I am just as guilty as the next PC user. May of us will go out of our way to buy our goods from any other source, preferably locally owned, instead of Wal-Mart. But do we take the time to learn how to use another operating system other than Windows, probably not. I have heard all the excuses why this won't work, and have used many myself. But just like the excuses of going to Wal-Mart because it is convenient, cheaper, they have what we need, just doesn't wash with Microsoft or Wal-Mart. We know better and are just to lazy to take the steps to change the situation.


Enter the Apple users, if you are a Apple user, good! That is at least one baby step away from the Microsoft Oligarchy. However you are still caught in the capitalist/corporate controlled computer tech world and that is what I would like to see changed the most. Apple users have one additional corporate layer to contend with that Microsoft users don't, their hardware is also manufactured in large part by Apple, and Microsoft doesn't BUILD computers, but for Apple users both their software and hardware come form the same company.

Information should be free, access to information should be free, tools to access information should be free and hardware should be affordable to the point that ANY one can obtain it, or Non-Profits and NGO's can offer access to this information to the very poorest.

Whenever I hear of the Apple or Microsoft Corporations giving away free computers to schools or children's charities, I just cringe. This may seem on the surface as an altruistic act, but is just a way for these companies to create more future consumers of their products, and to continue the corporation's strangle hold on our access to information.

I saw a show on TV once about these computer techs that wanted to see how much background one needs to use modern computers. They set up a internet connected computer kiosk in the slums of Calcutta, mounted a hidden camera and walked away. They found that with in 30 minutes, children as young as 8 were doing web searches and signing up for online e-mail accounts. Within a week these same young children had passed on what they knew to many of their parents and the parents were doing the same for even older members of the community.

What amazed me about this was how total unintimidated these children and adults were in using the computer kiosk. When the researchers did interviews later they found that many didn't know anything about computers prior to the installation of the kiosk or even knew what a computer was. Which is the very hurtle I run into on every computer job, how intimidated we are of technology even though we live in a technologically advanced society. New technology scares the hell out of us and we are intimidated by what we all ready have.

A few years ago, maybe about 8 year ago, I tried to address this issue. I found I was doing a lot of jobs for senior citizens, and much of it was really basic stuff, like setting up new computer their children had sent them and installing new applications software. So I got together with the senior center and the community center and offered a two day class in basic computer and internet usage. One of the most uttered comments I heard during those two days is: "I am not smart like you" or "I am too dumb to figure out this computer." This really got on my nerves, I started responding "You are not dumb, you were smart enough to seek my help, and together we can do anything."

Let me introduce you to Linus Torvalds, if you know who this man is you are my brother/sister in arms against Microsoft. Linus is a "together we can do anything" kind of guy and the creator of Linux and director of the Linux community.

If you don't know what Linux is let me offer this brief explanation: Linux is the little brother operating system to Unix (the software that powers the internet). Linux is a simplified version of Unix and does a really good job at powering everything from PDA's, cell phones, desktop and laptop PC's to business and internet servers. The biggest difference between Linux and Windows is that; Linus in his infinite wisdom, released Linux under a Open Source License, which mean that the base source code that runs Linux cannot be sold by anyone.

The most unique aspect of Linux is it is community driven. Programmers that want to work on Linux can help with projects that are already under development or start new ones and users can make requests for things they would like to have available. Linux doesn't come in just one flavor either there are literally dozens of different Linux distributions, you may have heard about Red Hat or SUSE by Novell, those are Linux "distros" that have been packaged by companies that have their own added functions and applications that are sold. But these very same companies have Open Source version of their software available on the internet for free. But just because you have heard of them doesn't mean these are the best to use. In the Linux world distros are use specific, which means that some are better for servers and others are better for desktops. Red Hat and SUSE are more for business than personal home use, and that is why you may have heard of them. Advertising make sense if you have some thing to sell, but when it is free what incentive is there to spend money to advertise?

What could be more democratic, anti-capitalist, anti-corporate or anarchist then people working together often for free to offer the world free access to information and technology. The Open Source and Linux communities are a very good example of how people can produce goods and services and self-govern at the same time. I will grant that money/currency is exchanged on some levels to fuel this community, but it is microscopic compared to Microsoft and Apple. If Linux should ever become the prevailing operating system for technology, the money exchange would still be less than today, due to the fact that the very source code is un-ownable.

Met Tux, Tux is the name of the Linux penguin logo. I think he is much more pleasant to look at than that stupid Windows logo or the MSN butterfly. Not only is he/she the logo but also a mascot for a whole community of Linux programmers and users. I have even seen whole websites dedicated to the "adventures of Tux".

But back to the original point of this rant, because of our conditioning through advertising and our fear of new technology we need to make a concerted effort to change the way we think about how we access information and technology. All it takes is making a conscious choice on what we choose to support. Microsoft's new Vista release gives us an opportunity to give a vote of no confidence to the current way things are done in regards to our access to information. The reasons not to upgrade to Vista far out weigh the reasons not to migrate to Linux. Just google "Windows Vista Linux" and you will find hundreds if not thousands of tech articles on the short comings of Microsoft's newest product, which also include privacy and security issues.

So you are scared, apprehensive, or just confused, that's okay, you don't have to take the Open Source/Linux plunge all at once, you can take your time and get use to the idea. Take baby-steps, we all did when we got our first computers. We can do it again, only this time you already know how to navigate the internet and send email, so the Open Source and Linux communities are accessible to you. If you have a broadband internet connection even better, faster downloading of free software. CD or DVD burner, you are in business, most Linux distros offer LiveCDs or LiveDVDs that can be run on your system without having to install or get rid of you current Windows installation.

The final step before becoming a fully-certified Linux user is dual-boot, where you have both Windows and Linux loaded on one computer and you choose which one you want to use when you start the computer. Although this may seem like a way to learn Linux and still have access to your Windows comfort zone, it is often more complicated then just going to Linux for good. I have tried this and found that it is much simpler to get rid of Windows all together, then to be a dual-booter.

Let me just suggest some Open Source programs to start with that all run under Windows:

Firefox; Firefox is an internet browser and is a much better program than Microsoft Internet Explorer, although you cannot completely delete IE off your Windows based computer (it is used to search for file on the computer) you don't have to use it on the internet. Get Firefox here.

Thunderbird; Thunderbird is the email program that replaces Microsoft's Outlook Express, again a superior program to Microsoft's and FREE. Get Thunderbird here.


openOffice.org; How many of your are sick and tired of having to pay $200 plus for Microsoft's Office upgrades, or want a powerful office suite and can't afford the $300 for Word and Excel. Boy oh, Boy, are you going to love this, openOffice.org offers just that and more for FREE. I have used this program for over two years and don't miss MS Office at all. What makes this even better is that it can save and open just about any document from any other office suite, including MS Office. Get openOffice here.

Gimp; Need a graphics editor and don't have tons of cash to buy Photoshop, Gimp is a good FREE alternative. I do a lot of photo editing and create custom content for The Sims 2 using just Gimp, and eventhough I have Photoshop CS2, I seldom use it. Get Gimp for Windows here.

Gmail; Although not Open Source, if you are using Hotmail or MSN mail dump it. Gmail is only available by invitation, however if you have a blogger.com account you may be able to get or already have a Gmail account. Good for you, now use it. Google in the past has gone to great lengths to keep the internet accessible (China) and email privacy secure (US). More recently Google has given in on some issues that I am not too pleased with, but by in large they continue to stick to the principals of free access to information I mentioned earlier.

SourceForge.net; This is one of the better know Open Source web communities, they offer literally thousands of Open Source programs and many run on Windows based systems. So before you go to the office supply store, Best Buy or Amazon to by applications software, test drive a few Open Source alternative first from SourceForge. Go to SourceForge.net

DesktopLinux.com; For news, information, sources and tutorials on becoming a Linux desktop user, this is a wonderful website. Go to DesktopLinux.com

If you do choose to use any of these program and you like them. I encourage you to donate a few dollars to show your appreciation for the hard work that went into the programming.

The point is that we don't have to be held hostage by Microsoft's business plan or buy into the technology is expensive mind set. As a computer tech I could take all the "old" systems that will become obsolete under the new Windows Vista (which by some estimates could be over 50% of all the systems in use today) and resurrect them using Linux and make them usable for a very long time at minimal cost.

We do have a choice and we have the power to bring the Microsoft Empire to it's knees, we just need to start today with the person in the mirror, then spread the word, communicate and educate.

Addition 3/21/08: I just found this two nights ago: Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Computers, put up a customer suggestion forum, with in the first month he had over 70,000 people made requests for Dell Desktop computers that come preloaded with Linux and that Dell should provide technical support for these Linux computers. The demand is out there we just need more sources for computers with Linux and support for those computers.