VTI can help you take advantage of the benefits derived from using open-source software and Linux system deployment.  Linux and associated open-source applications are typically free of charge and lack continually renewing licensing fees. Thus there can be a significant savings in using these applications. What is Open-Source?  And WHY Open-Source/Linux?  Those are common questions regarding the new trend in global computing technology.  Open-Source software, in its very basic sense, is software that has its programming open (freely viewable and easily modified) to the public. This allows for better bug tracking and error correction due to the amount of people who can examine the source code. It also allows for more rapid program development in many situtations due to the global community's effort in supporting open source applications.  There are also many other reasons why open source solutions have benefits over close-source (propritary) applications.  Preventing lock-in to a closed source application format and being at the whim of a large corporate entity, which may force continual upgrades or annual licensing fees, is a major benefit of open standards and open source. For example, the recently ratified ISO standard for text, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing documents called the Oasis Standard (.odt, .ods, .odp, .odd) is an open format that is currently supported by most major open source office suites (such as Open Office, Star Office, KOffice, Lotus, and many more).  This global standard is not tied to any one business and is future proof due to the nature of its open format information. Linux, the most well known open source operating system, is freely distributable and comes in many different flavors for many different roles.  Stability, flexibility, rapid development and an incredible library of open source applications are just a few of the benefits of the Linux operating system. However, Linux has long been considered a niche operating system used only by the highly technical.  This assumption is no longer accurate in modern Linux distributions, as the highly customisable desktop environment presents a user-friendly and familiar interface for average computer users. There are many choices in software applications in Linux for most every task imaginable, which in itself can be daunting to users new to Linux.  Even the desktop interface has many choices, such as the KDE, Gnome, E17 desktops and more. Consult with the Linux experts at VTI to help guide your organization in refining its Linux deployment plans and software selection.

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