 Come and Learn more of Linux here. This site is provided as an accompaniment to the "Linux for IT Managers Training Manual". Linux for IT Managers has been produced through the support of the Commonwealth of Learning and other individual and/or organizations involved in Free and Open Source Software. This Guide does not seek to promote any particular Linux vendor or distribution.
Computer Software has evolved exponentially in the past three (3) decades to be one of the key drivers of technology innovation and change in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In recent years, computer software has grown to be of wider importance than the hardware and the physical computing resources used to run that software. Computer Software has been known to contribute over 30% of the total cost of project implementation of common ICT projects. Computer Software makes it possible to use a piece of hardware or computing resource. With the trend towards the development of hardware platforms that can run multiple software platforms coupled with Virtualization and the delivery of Software and a Service, the need for appropriate software cannot be over emphasized.
Computer software can be grouped into two broad categories i.e Proprietary Software and Open Source Software. This categorization is broadly based on the availability of the programs source code controlled through an appropriate license or regulation and not necessarily on the disclosure of the source code that drives that particular application. The computer program source code can be disclosed and shown to all or a groups of persons but yet still remain as proprietary software. On the other hand, open source software is a type of computer software that focuses on the total disclosure of its source code and the subjection of the source code to an appropriate license that encourages the participation of a wider community in its enhancement and modification.
Though this manual is focused on Free and Open Source Software, of which the Linux Operating System is one of them, and its wide application areas, it is not the intention of the author(s) to exclude or underrate the availability of possible proprietary software alternatives. The decision on the implementation of a particular piece of software should be based on a sound business model that support’s specific business requirements. In the consideration of which software to use for which need, it is important to maintain a holistic approach where other factors, not necessarily considered in this manual, should be addressed. In line with this way of thinking, this manual will seek to mention available proprietary software that can be used to achieve similar results.
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