So this idea struck up in my mind when I saw a recent post about what actually is the original market share of Linux.The post gives great insights into how the market share is being computed and frankly IMHO there are significant amount of discrepancies in calculating that for couple of reasons, major one of them being that many people pay for it & many get paid .

We use open source softwares daily in our life the fact is we just don’t know about it. Most of the people using Android on there smart-phones out their don’t even know its open source. People tend to buy sh!+ (sorry had to put this) for few bucks rather then trying FOSS(Free open source software) just cause it hurts their standards & corporate world has taught them that nothing comes for free.

Not going deep into that never ending debate, the question arises, well we are some way or another attached to FOSS then what actually is the real value of FOSS we are using. Another reason for this post was that I was really wanted to figure out what if all these OSS were paid.

For starters

• Java (Programming Language)
• Apache (Web-Server used in more than 50% Websites Worldwide)
• Mozilla Firefox (Most popular Browser Worldwide)
• Almost all Linux OS ( including Ubuntu)
• Bittorrent (File Sharing Technology)
• And an unending list for softwares

are all open source and yes I’m not kidding..!!! 8)

We are taking as a reference model our own Ubuntu Desktop OS and will calculate the total net-worth of all the softwares being used by people not to mention for free.Remember I’m taking worst case scenario here taking into consideration the least possible value of each software that comes bundled with Ubuntu.Please bear with me if you find that the estimated worth of software is very low.

OS : Ubuntu
Estimated Worth : Priceless 8)
License : Full & Unlimited + Server Too
Upgrade : Free

Office Suite : OpenOffice.org
Estimated Worth :  $50-200
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Graphics : GIMP
Estimated Worth :  $100-250
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Management : Inbuilt/Ubuntu-Tweak/Ailurus
Estimated Worth :  $25-50
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Desktop Enhancement : Compiz
Estimated Worth  : Priceless (An innovation  of its own kind)
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Virtualization : KVM/VirtualBox
Estimated Worth : $100-200
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Backup Tool : BackInTime
Estimated Worth : $50-100
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

CD/DVD Burning : K3B/Bresaro
Estimated Worth : $50-100
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Desktop Publishing : Scribus
Estimated Worth : $200
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Compression Software : Inbuilt
License : Full & Unlimited
Upgrade : Free

Here are other few things you always wanted to know about Ubuntu :

• Much lesser hardware requirements compared to any other OS (saving much on processor and memory requirements)
• Highly customizable and far superior to any other OS in terms of features ( +Regular release schedule helps in fixing bugs and security holes properly)
• Comes free with no Starter Edition , Home Premium, Home Basic, Pro , Enterprise, Ultimate License (Just download it,use it live or install it & distribute it the way you like)
• Ubuntu provides free upgrade to later versions so need to pay everytime a new version comes up
• No Antivirus Required (Linux System Has Least Amount of Virus Infections adding another few bucks to your savings)
• Ubuntu comes with a 2Gb storage on the cloud via UbuntuOne (Just a Cheery on The Top)
• Ext4 Filesystem provides you with a defragment-free environment ( saving another couple of bucks on Registry Cleaners)
• Supports all major browser like Opera,Mozilla Firefox & Google Chrome.
• Comes Inbuilt With Thousand of other Softwares that are paid for other OS.
• Comes with Inbuilt Support for almost all drivers (no need to search for them everytime)

Those who still insist on the fact that Linux are buggy I’ll rather say that you give it another try let me assure you that mentioned above are all quality software used by millions around the world and plus even if you face any problem communities like Ubuntu are soo(stressing ) helpful. Don’t let yourself fall for paid alternatives cause “Everything that glitters isn’t Gold”.

Still have questions about Ubuntu then do fire them up…!!!

Enjoy