A Sysadmin Takes the LPI Security Essentials Exam

Linux Professional Institute (LPI) officially launched its newest certificate, LPI Security Essentials. As an official training partner, I had the opportunity to participate in the beta phase of the exam, and thus get to know it better and contribute my impressions.

I was never a cybersecurity specialist. In my career of more than 20 years, I have worked mainly in the support and administration of Linux servers and open source solutions. I also teach these subjects. 

Therefore, I was familiar with some subjects in the exam program through professional work. I knew other topics more superficially through readings, conversations, videos, and lectures that I came across day to day.

The topics in the exam seek to ensure that the professional or student has a good understanding of the main concepts of security in its most diverse aspects. Extremely technical knowledge, such as tool configuration or the use of commands, is not required.

In the first topic, “Security Concepts,” as the name implies, the candidate will find questions related to the most common IT security concepts, the main terms used, the types of attacks and vulnerabilities, how incidents are named and reported, and what types of action to take when faults are detected.

In the “Encryption” topic, the main concepts of cryptography are discussed, including public, private, symmetric, and asymmetric keys You’ll encounter these concepts often when you work with remote connections, such as when using SSH. This topic also encompasses a good understanding of security in web connections with the use of certificates over HTTPS, and the secure use of email, mainly using S/MIME and OpenPGP. In addition, the topic addresses data encryption on personal devices and in the cloud.

The third topic, “Device and Storage Security,” addresses security in hardware devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), and their interconnections such as USB and Bluetooth. Security in software applications is also covered, describing the main types of vulnerabilities and malware.

The topic “Network and Service Security” turns out to be very familiar to anyone who already works with technology on a daily basis. The topic addresses the main concepts in network operation, such as the main protocols, interface types, and components, along with cloud concepts. The safe use of a wireless network, including the main risks and ways of mitigating vulnerabilities, is also discussed.

Finally, “Identity and Privacy” covers concepts such as authentication, authorization, confidentiality, and privacy. Sample concepts include the secure use of passwords, social engineering, and the main types of attacks on identity and privacy. This topic also included subjects that are currently very critical in our current digital environment, especially stalking and cybermobbing.

As I said, I didn't previously know all the content covered, and I had to prepare myself somewhat for the exam.

Usually, LPI itself makes great study material available at its Learning Materials site, but at the time of the beta phase, such material was not yet available.

In this case, my study strategy was basically to search the Web for each area of ​​knowledge and the main terms mentioned in each subtopic. For example, I’d ask “What is Advanced Persistent Threats (APT)” or “What is the difference between black hat hacking and white hat hacking.”

It is not necessary to dive deeply into topics; just a general understanding of each subject is enough. At the end you might ask yourself: “Do I know the main features of Bitlocker?” or “Do I understand the main concepts about HTTPS?” If you're comfortable with your answers, move on to learn another topic.

After taking the exam and then finalizing the whole process, I now understand clearly how relevant the subjects covered in Security Essentials are. The program covers the knowledge of security that every professional who works or intends to work computer ​​technology should have. Going further, these are very relevant subjects for anyone who handles data and sensitive information in their daily life, whether personally or professionally.

In short, Security Essentials perfectly delivers what it promises: to validate and even stimulate knowledge about information security at many levels.

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

The Importance of Becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD Specialist

As technology remains to grow at a lightning speed, it has become increasingly important to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and advancements. One area of technology that has seen significant growth in recent years is open source software, specifically the Linux operating system. The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is a leading organization that provides certification and training for professionals looking to enhance their skills in this area. In this post, we will look into the benefits of becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist.

What is BSD?

Before we dive into the details of becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist, it's important to understand what BSD is. BSD (short for Berkeley Software Distribution) is a free and open-source Unix-like operating system that is known for its stability, security, and reliability. It was developed at the University of California, Berkeley in the 1970s and has since been adopted by many organizations, including Apple, Netflix, and WhatsApp.

Why Become a Linux Professional Institute BSD Specialist?

1. Job Opportunities

Becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist opens up many job opportunities. With the increasing demand for open source technology, many companies are seeking professionals who are knowledgeable in this area. In fact, a quick search on any job board will show you that there are many positions available for those with Linux and BSD skills.

2. High Earning Potential

Professionals with Linux and BSD skills are in high demand, and as a result, they can command high salaries. According to Payscale, the average salary for a Linux system administrator is around $71,000 per year, with some professionals earning over $100,000 per year.

3. Industry Recognition

By becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist, you will be recognized as an expert in your field. LPI certification is widely recognized in the industry and can help you stand out among other professionals. This recognition can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries.

How to Become a Linux Professional Institute BSD Specialist

To become a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist, you will need to take the LPI BSD certification exam. This exam covers a wide range of topics, including system architecture, network fundamentals, and security. It is designed to test your knowledge and skills in BSD and determine if you are qualified to become a certified specialist.

Before taking the exam, it's important to prepare by studying and gaining hands-on experience with BSD. You can take courses online or in-person to learn more about the system and its components. It's also a good idea to practice using BSD in a real-world environment to gain practical experience.

Conclusion

Becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist is a great way to enhance your skills and stay competitive in the ever-evolving technology industry. By gaining certification and becoming recognized as an expert in your field, you can open up many job opportunities and increase your earning potential. With the increasing demand for open source technology, now is the perfect time to invest in your career by becoming a Linux Professional Institute BSD specialist.

Continue reading

Why Everyone Should Know Security Essentials

LPI has just released the Security Essentials certificate. Our interest in this topic is not arbitrary: These days, IT security news is ubiquitous. Every day, someone’s data is encrypted for ransom, personal information is copied, and new security vulnerabilities are discovered.  Even though this all sounds technical, cryptic, and somehow far away, many of these attacks may personally affect you and me.

Some IT security attacks are very sophisticated, and far too professional for us as individuals to deal with. But not every attack is as elaborate as, for example, the SolarWinds hack (do some research, there is a lot to learn!). While some of the attacks seem trivial –  they still may be effective. That is because people do quickly confirm their personal data on a new online portal allegedly put by their bank. People do thoughtlessly open the attachment to the cancellation email from their employer. And people do share some vacation photos publicly in social media; even that innocent-seeming act gives potential attackers an opening to call your office, ask for information on behalf of the person on vacation, and cause havoc.

These are everyday mistakes that can have severe consequences. Anyone using digital devices will be exposed to these kinds of threats sooner than later. Sometimes it just takes a single moment of distraction. I myself once had my credit card blocked the day before Christmas holidays, because I didn't notice that I was using a compromised ATM. When I found out, I questioned myself how I possibly could not have noticed that the machine was unsafe, especially considering myself a security aware person. Luckily, I was covered by my bank. But certainly, no one wants to be the person who opens  an email attachment that  triggers encryption across  all servers in their company.

With Security Essentials, we want not only to create awareness for these dangers, but also provide guidance for the right ways to deal with them. We want to enable everyone to understand the basics of IT security. Beyond learning the right way to deal with personal data, email attachments, and phishing attempts, a good security education also includes general knowledge. For example, what does it mean when a web browser indicates that a connection is not secure? What constitutes such a secure connection anyway? Two simple questions whose answers require the concepts of private keys, public keys, and certificates.

These basic concepts are also part of the exam, but only as far as they are absolutely necessary to understand threats and countermeasures. Candidates will understand what's behind news reports about companies losing access to all of their data, customer data being stolen from online shops, email servers all over the world becoming vulnerable, and botnets marauding against IT infrastructure of everykind. Candidates will recognize common security threats and know how to mitigate them.

This knowledge can be the beginning on which a whole career in IT security is built. But this knowledge is first and foremost the foundation on which we can all protect ourselves and our environment. Sometimes, the people we don't ususally associate with IT security are the ones who benefit the most from special expertise in it. Security attacks do not necessarily come through the networking infrastructure. In the form of emails, lost USB drives, phone calls, or alleged new colleagues asking for the WiFi password, attacks can show up at every company’s reception desk.

This knowledge is included in Security Essentials. We also delve under the surface to cover a broad list of topics beyond typical introductions to security. We offer theoretical basics where they are needed to really understand a topic.

Security Essentials, even more than our other Essentials exams, addresses beginners with no prior knowledge of computing except the routine use of their devices. The required knowledge can be acquired with reasonable effort, and the exam objectives are transparent and of practical relevance. Learning Materials and translations are in the works.

In addition, we try to keep the costs of the exam as low as possible. We explicitly address learners in an academic environment, such as schools and universities, but also companies and individuals who need a thorough introduction to a topic.

Personally, I am excited about the new certificate. If the exam preparation helps some of our candidates to mitigate attacks against their devices, data, or accounts, the work has been worth it.

However, we are not done yet. We are still looking for help with the Learning Materials for Security Essentials. If anyone feels called upon, please be sure to contact us. IT security is an exciting topic, whether you're preparing for your exam, writing a lesson for the learning materials or, as your knowledge grows, advancing your career.

We will be reading more about Security Essentials in the LPI blog in the upcoming posts, with some folks from LPI partners sharing their insights. In the meantime, I wish all candidates an enjoyable preparation and much success in the exam.

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

Open source myth: That it will be incompatible with the software colleagues use

People who spread fear through this myth are enforcing a software monoculture, which is just as bad for organizations as crop monocultures are for agriculture.

Most companies nowadays use open formats, so colleagues won't even notice if you're using an open source tool to share files and send messages to them. The companies have realized that opening their formats is good for business. So is providing an application programming interface (API) to make it easy for others to build on their tools. When third parties add new features, it makes the products more useful and ultimately brings more customers.

Furthermore, when a company adopts a standard, it saves money that would otherwise be spent developing a proprietary format and the programs needed to manipulate it.

Most vendors also offer web-based interfaces that work just fine on any operating system.

You really don't have to worry about matching every feature in a Microsoft Office file, or some other proprietary product, unless your team uses some very new and arcane feature. Open source projects are very good at tracking and matching new features for Microsoft Office in particular. Its formats are now nominally open source (although they're very complicated and hard to reproduce).

Even enforcing a monoculture can be very expensive in a closed-source environment. A company may standardize on a particular version of an office package, or even features inside of that office package, to make sure their documents are compatible. However, when a new feature from a new version inadvertently appears in a document, the rest of the people in that company may have to upgrade to that new version in order to edit that document, costing a lot of money. With free and open source software, the new version can be distributed to the other users without license fees.

Some proprietary vendors still jealously guard their formats, which they make obscure and unreproducible. Stay away from these products. Rest assured that the vendor will eventually go out of business, change their business model, or be acquired by a competitor, and leave you at best 12 or 18 months to switch. Your data is at risk.

There are also a few tools that are released for Windows or the Mac and don't have Linux equivalents. But you'd be surprised how many vendors support Linux now.

Some incompatibilities have less to do with the software itself as the way it is used. The use of default, proprietary fonts, which are available on only specific platforms, may cause pagination differences in documents that depend on duplicate pagination. Legal documents, as an example, often are referred to by "paragraph 3 of page 8," and if different fonts are used, the pagination may be off.

To solve this, use freely distributed vector fonts in your documents, ensuring that the documents will paginate the same way every time. Some PDFs embed their fonts, so that any screen or printer can use those same fonts.

Other incompatibilities happen through the use of proprietary macros written in a non-standard, proprietary language, especially in spreadsheets. A solution to this incompatibility is to use a spreadsheet program that's available on every platform you use now or will be likely to use in the future.

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

LPI Security Essentials: New Certificate on IT Security Basics

Linux Professional Institute (LPI) announces the availability of the new Linux Professional Institute Security Essentials certificate. The certificate covers preliminary knowledge in all important fields of IT security. This certificate is intended for students who had their first course in IT security, for all members and staff of organizations that want to improve their IT security, and for anyone who wants to attain a basic competence in the secure use of email, web sites, social media, and the devices they use everyday.

The exam objectives are available on the LPI website. They include the topics of basic security concepts, encryption, device and storage security, network and service security, identity protection, and privacy. The exam can be taken in Pearson VUE test centers, remotely on the OnVUE platform, and at all events where LPI hosts exam labs.

“The exam objectives cover a comprehensive range of topics, including typical IT security fields like encryption and data security, but also rather uncommon topics like aspects of privacy and the secure use of social media. We test the fundamental knowledge everyone should have, either as the first stage of building IT security knowledge for a professional career, or as a personal toolbox for the secure and responsible use of digital infrastructure”, says Fabian Thorns, Director of Product Development at LPI.

“Security Essentials is the third exam on our Essentials certificate track, joining Linux Essentials and Web Development Essentials. We are progressing towards a comprehensive certificate track that covers all of the major disciplines of basic information technology education.” adds G. Matthew Rice, Executive Director of LPI. He adds that “In addition to educational institutions, we would like to encourage organizations and enterprises of any kind to consider Security Essentials as a baseline of security education for all their members and employees.”

Within the year, LPI will release additional translations of the exam, including Japanese, Portuguese, German, French and Spanish, as well as Learning Materials. A continuously updated list of learning materials is available at learning.lpi.org.

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

Open source myth: That open source has poor quality

This myth assumes that proprietary companies invest a lot of effort in ensuring that their code is correct and secure, whereas open source projects don't. But bugs and security flaws turn up in both proprietary and open source code.

In addition to automated tests—often called "regression testing"—proprietary companies usually have quality assurance (QA) teams who run tests in artificial environments. Some open source projects do this too, but in general open source projects rely more on user testing. They benefit by drawing on a broad, diverse range of users, many of whom provide the developers who worked on the features in the first place.

The biggest quality issue for most people is "Mean Time To Repair" (MTTR), the time from when the issue is recognized to when it is resolved. Proprietary products leave the end user customer completely dependent on the producer of the product, because the end user customer can’t fix the product themselves.

It may be that only a single customer experiences that issue, so the developer may consider it a low priority compared to adding new features and all the other problems they have to fix.

Sometimes, also, the customer needs to use an older version of the product, but the producer has moved on to a newer version and is not willing to expend the time and resources in fixing the older version. A well-known example of this is Windows XP, which receives no bug fixes, no new drivers, no security patches, no ports to new hardware etc. even though an estimated 12 million people are still using it.

Many users of free and open source software continue to use old versions that the development team no longer supports, fixing occasional bugs themselves. Customers might choose to do so because they use old hardware that is no longer officially supported, or find that the old software works well and requires fewer resources than the new versions with added features.

The choice to use old versions is an essential aspect of software freedom. In contrast, proprietary vendors often force customers to upgrade not only software, but (as shown with Windows 11) hardware. The threat hanging over customers who refuse to upgrade is that bugs and security flaws won't be fixed in the old versions. And sometimes the vendor can force an upgrade through its licensing conditions.

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

Linux Professional Certification: A Comprehensive Guide to LPI and LPIC

Introduction:

Linux is a powerful and versatile operating system, and those who have expertise in it are in high demand. For those who wish to establish themselves as a Linux professional, achieving a Linux Professional Certification is a must. There are two organizations that provide Linux certifications, namely the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) and the Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC). In this article, we'll take a comprehensive look at both organizations and what they have to offer to help you achieve your goal of becoming a Linux professional.

LPI: Linux Professional Institute

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) is a non-profit organization that provides Linux certifications. LPI offers several levels of certifications, including the LPI Linux Essentials, LPI Level 1 (LPIC-1), LPI Level 2 (LPIC-2), and LPI Level 3 (LPIC-3). The certifications offered by LPI are designed to cover the basics of Linux administration and management, as well as advanced topics such as system security and network administration.

LPIC-1: Junior Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-1 certification is the entry-level certification offered by LPI, and it is designed for junior level Linux administrators. The certification covers basic topics such as Linux installation, configuration, and administration. It also covers the management of system services, network services, and security. To achieve the LPIC-1 certification, one must pass two exams, namely the LPI 101 and LPI 102.

LPIC-2: Intermediate Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-2 certification is designed for intermediate level Linux administrators, and it covers advanced topics such as system administration, network administration, and security. To achieve the LPIC-2 certification, one must pass two exams, namely the LPI 201 and LPI 202.

LPIC-3: Senior Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-3 certification is the highest level certification offered by LPI, and it is designed for senior level Linux administrators. The certification covers advanced topics such as virtualization, clustering, and security. To achieve the LPIC-3 certification, one must pass two exams, namely the LPI 300 and LPI 302.

LPIC: Linux Professional Institute Certification

The Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) is a certification program that is similar to the LPI certification program. The LPIC program is also designed to provide Linux certifications to individuals who have a high level of expertise in Linux administration and management. The LPIC program is offered by the Linux Professional Institute (LPI), and it covers the same topics as the LPI certification program.

LPIC-1: Junior Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-1 certification is the entry-level certification offered by the LPIC program, and it covers the basics of Linux installation, configuration, and administration. To achieve the LPIC-1 certification, one must pass the LPIC-1 exam.

LPIC-2: Intermediate Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-2 certification is designed for intermediate level Linux administrators, and it covers advanced topics such as system administration, network administration, and security. To achieve the LPIC-2 certification, one must pass the LPIC-2 exam.

LPIC-3: Senior Level Linux Administrator

The LPIC-3 certification is the highest level certification offered by the LPIC program, and it is designed for senior level Linux administrators. The certification covers advanced topics such as virtualization, clustering, and security. To achieve the LPIC-3 certification, one must pass the LPIC-3 exam.

Benefits of Linux Professional Certification

There are several benefits of achieving a Linux Professional Certification, including:

Increased Earning Potential: A Linux Professional Certification can increase your earning potential as employers are willing to pay more for certified professionals.

Improved Career Opportunities: With a Linux Professional Certification, you can open up new career opportunities and explore new job roles within the Linux industry.

Demonstration of Expertise: A Linux Professional Certification demonstrates to employers and clients that you have the necessary expertise in Linux administration and management.

Improved Skills: The certification process helps you to improve your skills and stay updated with the latest developments in Linux administration and management.

Recognition: A Linux Professional Certification provides recognition for your skills and achievements within the Linux community.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a Linux Professional Certification can be a valuable asset for individuals who wish to establish themselves as a Linux professional. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced Linux administrator, there is a certification program that can help you achieve your goals. The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) and the Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC) are two organizations that provide Linux certifications, and they offer a comprehensive understanding of Linux administration and management. So, take the first step towards your goal of becoming a Linux professional and achieve a Linux Professional Certification today!

Continue reading

FH Burgenland hosted large Linux Essentials exam lab

With its degree programs in information technology, the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Burgenland (UAS FH Burgenland) brings together IT and management. Linux knowledge is not to be neglected in the process. This past December, as an Academic Partner of the Linux Professional Institute, the UAS hosted one of the largest Linux Essentials exam events to date.

A total of 70 students from the bachelor's degree program took up the challenge and participated in the examination. It was organized by Dipl.-Ing. Franz Knipp, head of the Software Engineering and Networked Systems course. He emphasizes the importance of the certificate: "Linux is an important tool in many areas of IT. That's why it's important to know the basics, on which you can build firmly later." 

He says the exam helped students improve their understanding of the Linux operating system and its features. The Linux Essentials exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as installation and configuration of Linux systems, important commands, and security and file permissions. The exam also calls for a basic understanding of open source software and licenses.

Franz Knipp had prepared his students with the training materials provided by LPI, supplemented during the practical exercises by specially developed work materials. He would like to continue developing these and, if possible, make them available to a wider audience as an ebook.

Read More: 010-160: LPI Linux Essentials (Linux Essentials 010)

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading

Examining myths that hold people back from open source software

What's making you hesitate to take advantage of free and open source software?

Advocates for free software praise the ability of GNU/Linux to extend the life of old hardware and support an enormous range of systems; the customizations offered by many open source tools to advanced users; the confidence of knowing that software won't go away because of a change in business strategies; the empowerment open source offers to people around the world; the sense of shared achievement and responsiveness in open source communities; and the general joy of creating something unfettered and free.

But pervasive myths (sometimes based on obsolete facts and sometimes just on bias) keep many people from adopting Linux and other open source software. This article unpacks the following myths:

◉ Poor quality because software is free

◉ Created by bearded anarchists working out of their garages

◉ Don’t want to deal with installation

◉ The open source software is incompatible with the software my colleagues use

◉ No support available

◉ Requires arcane knowledge of programming or at least the command line

◉ Need to learn a lot of new interactions

A starting caveat: Every project is different

This article contrasts two models for distributing software: proprietary, where the coders keep the code secret and control all changes to it, and open source, where communities collaborate on code that is available to the world. There are actually some complicated relationships between the proprietary and open source models. For instance, some companies offer a Community version of software that nominally has an open source license, and support their work through an Enterprise edition that has more features and is proprietary. Some open source licenses permit people to build proprietary products on top of the open source base.

Just remember, as you read this article, that the generalizations don't apply to all projects. But the explanations can help you understand why open source is so robust and powerful.

Requires arcane knowledge of programming or at least the command line

Linux, like earlier operating systems, started as a text-based system with prompts and commands. But modern systems are fully equipped with file choosers and the other tools of graphical systems. Many people can use Linux for image processing and other sophisticated work without ever seeing a terminal or command line.

But a very powerful set of command-line tools is one of the great advantages of Linux. The command line requires a few basic concepts, but once you learn these you will find efficient ways of working that complement your use of the graphical tools.

Need to learn too many new interactions

Any new tool probably works differently from the ones you're used to. But Linux and many other open source tools work basically like the popular proprietary ones. For instance, open source word processors generally support conventions invented for Microsoft Word, such as Command-C for copying text and Command-V for pasting it.

In truth, you will probably use only half a dozen menu items regularly in any particular application. A couple hours of using a new application will make those menu items seem like second nature.

A lot of modern work involves simply moving the cursor and selecting items with a mouse, activities that are now universal. The buttons on Linux work differently from the buttons on a Windows PC or Mac, but you can also alter the button behavior to match your familiar behavior.

Poor quality because software is free

Both proprietary companies and open source projects perform intensive testing. Open source projects commonly run the tests automatically at key points, such as where a developer tries to check code into a project repository, or before release.

A significant complement to testing, used by both proprietary companies and open source projects, is to recruit end-users to run early versions of the code (which are labeled "alpha") and versions close to release (labeled "beta") in realistic environments. These users are not like QA staff using laboratory environments and trying to minimize the cost of testing. Instead, the users set up environments that mimic real-life conditions and run their real applications with real-life data.

Most important, though, customers of free and open source software can fix important bugs themselves just by hiring a developer.

Return to this blog site for an upcoming article that will go into more detail on this subject.

Created by bearded anarchists working out of their garages

Intriguing books such as Steven Levy's Hackers present open source programmers (and other programmers) as undisciplined, impassioned, and anti-establishment. Although a lot of people in the past—and maybe in the present too—contribute to open source software, most development is done by professionals who are being paid by a major company, or are retired from professional programming or contribute in their spare time. (And contrary to the stereotype in the heading, many are women.)

Most well-known computer and software vendors assign staff to work on open source software, because the managers know who much this software contributes to their core business. For instance, Linux kernel developers release statistics regularly on who contributes, showing that a substantial percentage of code comes from professionals paid by their companies.

Don’t want to deal with installation

If you want to install any new operating system, it requires care. Most people receive a PC or Mac with the software pre-installed.  What many people think of as “installing” a proprietary operating system is actually restoring an image that was created by the hardware vendor for their device.

Compared to paying a vendor to install your operating system, installing your own is more time consuming. But Linux is not really hard to install, if you read the instructions carefully and follow them. A few minutes of online reading or video viewing will let you decide which version (distribution) of Linux to try,You can also get Linux pre-installed.

Finally, some people complain about installation because the resulting screen isn't laid out or themed the way they want. Most Linux distributions have quite usable screens right out of the box, but also offer the most customizable layouts of any system. With a little experimentation you can get the fonts, colors, icons, and layout you want.

The open source software is incompatible with the software my colleagues use

Modern work and life is interactive and collaborative. If you and your collaborators use different tools, whether they are proprietary or open source, there is always a risk that you won't be able to open a file sent to you by a collaborator, or cooperate in some other way. But this is not a good argument for forcing a monoculture on everybody.

Nowadays, most proprietary tools use standard, open formats for documents, messages, and other files. This is key, because the tools can work seamlessly and exchange data with other tools, both proprietary and open source.

Return to this blog site for an upcoming article that will go into more detail on this subject.

No support available

It might be hard to see where to get help for an open source tool because there's no chat box or contact form. But open source is definitely supported. Some companies offer support for a fee, just like proprietary companies. Numerous forums also exist, where you receive help from other users or even directly from the developers.

In fact, most proprietary software, made by both small and large organizations, provides no more accountability than their open source counterparts. Their terms and conditions include specific disclaimers that prohibit taking action against the software provider. Indeed, when was the last time a software consumer sued their supplier?

Try it for yourself

Hopefully, this article has given you a sense of what it's really like to use free and open source software. It's an adjustment, yes, but no more than buying a new appliance for your kitchen or joining a new web service. You can start by downloading stable open source applications that mimic your old proprietary ones. Give open source a try, and you'll be able to experience the benefits that so many talk about.

People interested in more myths or details can return to this blog site for the following upcoming articles:

Open source myth: That open source has poor quality

Open source myth: That it will be incompatible with the software colleagues use

Open source myth: That intruders can more easily find flaws

Open source myth: That it has a higher total cost of ownership (TCO)

Source: lpi.org

Continue reading