Kaizen is really a Japanese word meaning "continuous improvement." In the west it is often applied in connection with improving business enterprise but in Japan, kaizen, can relate to any improvement no matter if or not it's function related. If a student studies tough and improves their exam outcomes, or a housewife improves the families finances by shopping a lot more prudently, they have practised and benefited from kaizen. This article will show you how you too can benefit by applying kaizen to your computing requirements.
What is Linux
I am certain that the majority of you reading this can be making use of either Windows or Mac OSX computers. These are the two most important operating systems applied by the typical house pc user. However they come at a cost. You may not realise this but once you buy a new pc, included inside the price is the price of the operating system for example Windows XP or Vista, or among the OSX varieties. However buying the laptop or computer doesn't mean you stop getting software. Every single few years a different, "improved" version is released along with a not-so-nice cost tag. Shortly after, a second edition with "security fixes" is released incurring an additional price for the user.
Linux is various. Linux can be a totally no cost operating program that users can basically download from the web, burn to a CD and reboot to install. Its as uncomplicated as that and as it comes total with almost everything the average user needs, an office suite, digital camera software program, internet applications and so on., you don't require to pay for any add-ons.
Unfortunately Linux is commonly regarded as a "geek's" operating system, inferring that unless you've got a doctorate in computer science you just can not get it to function. Recent releases nevertheless have changed all that and now Linux is as straightforward to use as its two primary rivals in the desktop war. One distribution of this free of charge operating method has received a lot praise and recommendation lately - Ubuntu.
Ubuntu - Linux for Windows Users
Ubuntu, like other Linux systems is fully free to download, install and use. It doesn't ask for any individual information and facts or need a product registration. You just download and off you go.
Unlike Windows or OSX, which, to coin a manufacturing phrase, batch and queue their improvements and ship them in bulk each and every few years, Ubuntu release normal improvements as they take place and which you may download via a notification icon within the program tray. It is far more in line with the way Toyota construct cars. The kaizen way.
As Ubuntu is on the whole maintained and improved by willing volunteers it can be continually becoming refined and improved. Just a little tweak here, just a little tweak there, and also the advantages are offered when ready and when the user requests them, instead of having the user wait after which pushing them onto the user by way of a brand new release. In manufacturing such a process is called pull, as the user (or customer) pulls the improvements towards them, when they require them and in the amounts they want. Ubuntu does concern new releases every six months but when you maintain up-to-date with the improvements you do not want to download and reinstall.
Ubuntu Linux is actually a straightforward to install, straightforward to preserve operating program for the masses plus a fantastic option for those fed up with having to constantly pay for their computing needs. Its excellent for organizations also as there is no yearly license fee to use the operating program or its software program applications. Its also resistant to virus attacks and spyware so your privacy is maintained and assured (although it does come with a pretty secure firewall just in case).
Ubuntu comes complete with almost everything you'll need such as a full office suite courtesy of Open-Office, the no cost replacement to Microsoft Office, all of your world wide web applications - Firefox browser, an e-mail client called evolution similar to Outlook, as well as a Photoshop style image manipulation program referred to as Gimp. The fact is you will find literally thousands of professional standard, no cost applications waiting to be utilised and when you have to have some specialist software program that isn't installed by default, including accountancy software program, the major menu has an add/remove listing that lets you search and install it with just a couple of clicks, cost-free of charge.
The truth is so well known has Ubuntu turn into that the French government recently (03/2007) began discussing the possibility of removing its Microsoft system in favor of Ubuntu and totally free software program and began the change over in June 2007 (source: zdnet.fr "Linux: Ubuntu s'installe sur les PC des députés").
So why not add a bit of kaizen, the art of continuous improvement, to your computing requirements and give Ubuntu a attempt.
