Why UNITECH chose Ubuntu, free and open-source operating system

UPDATE: All the reasons below are still valid, but here is an update from How to Geek magazine from 2024.

Our main reasons for choosing Ubuntu  as an operating system for the student and staff laptops, and all the (virtual) desktops are the following:

1. No viruses are known, no virus software license is needed
2. Comes with free open-source software (LibreOffice is better than MS Office, except maybe Excel)
3. With cheaper, simpler hardware, better performance.
4. Longer battery life on laptops.
5. Life-long support for graduates, no pirated software needed.
6. Edubuntu version for higher education.
7. Zero price, low lifetime costs. Yes, sometimes something free can be better than something you pay for!

You can install all your favourite software (e.g. Whatsapp, Facebook, Zoom) because there are Ubuntu versions for it. There are great free and open-source academic software such as JASP, R and R Commander for statistics, or Zotero for managing bibliographic references.

If you really have to install Windows software, you can run it under an emulator called Wine, or run it as a Virtual Machine.

Finally, I have been using it for almost 5 years now, never looked back, and totally enjoyed it.

FAQ

Q: Are you under the impression that open-source software is challenging to use, especially since you're new to it?

A: You might be surprised to learn that you've already been using open-source software without even realizing it! Popular applications like Firefox, Google Chrome, Google Apps, and Android on your phone are all examples of open-source software. Did you find them difficult to use or of poor quality? Open-source software is often user-friendly and reliable, just like the applications you're already familiar with.

Q: Are you concerned about the safety of your data in the cloud?

A: It's natural to have reservations about data safety, but consider this: you've likely already shared a significant amount of personal information and photos on platforms like Facebook. This demonstrates that you trust cloud-based services to handle your data securely. Rest assured that open-source software often employs robust security measures to protect your information.

Q: Do you think you'll need a course to learn how to use open-source software?

A: Not at all! Just as you didn't require a course to learn how to use Windows or Word, you'll find that open-source software is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Most applications have intuitive interfaces and ample documentation to help you get started. You'll likely pick up the basics quickly and become proficient in no time.