操作系统仍然是任何计算机的灵魂。随着时间的推移，我们已经看到了很多，但其中最突出的是 Microsoft Windows。Windows占据了整个操作系统市场的 90% 左右。为什么不呢？ Windows易于使用，并配备了人们期望从任何操作系统获得的所有服务——并且被认为比开源操作系统更好(better than an open-source operating system)。但总有一些人可能正在为他们的计算机寻找免费的操作系统(free operating system)。
免费开源操作系统
今天，我将列出一些计算机用户可以使用的最流行的、开源的、因此免费的操作系统。谈到开源世界，有一些令人印象深刻的操作系统——它们有时很有用。早些时候我谈到了开源数据库——今天我将简要讨论一些免费和开源的操作系统及其特性。
1] Ubuntu
使用最广泛的开源数据库是Ubuntu。它是一个基于Linux的操作系统，与源代码一起免费分发。它的桌面看起来有点类似于Windows的桌面，带有窗口控件和图标。Ubuntu上有合理的大型软件支持；常见的应用程序包括Mozilla Firefox 网络(Mozilla Firefox web)浏览器、LibreOffice办公应用程序套件、GIMP图像编辑器等。
Ubuntu在(Ubuntu)GNU和GPL许可下分发。它有一个名为Terminal的(Terminal)UNIX shell ，可用于与网络交互并安装第三方应用程序。
Ubuntu 功能、规格和要求(Ubuntu Features, Specifications, and Requirements)
- 支持 ARM 和 x86 板1
- DVR功能的本地存储支持2
- 最小磁盘空间：2GB
- 最小内存：512 MB
- HDMI
- CEC 支持
- 安全的全功能网络
- 社交网络服务
- 画廊
Ubuntu的有趣特性之一是广播、在线服务和应用程序的集成。这为您提供了在桌面上的真实电视体验，因为您现在可以按需获取媒体。Ubuntu的安装需要很少的努力。您可以在此处下载(here)Windows 安装程序(Windows Installer) 。
如果您正在寻找Windows 的更多 Linux 替代品，请选中此项。
2]自由BSD
FreeBSD是一个高级操作系统，兼容x86（包括Pentium和Athlon），兼容AMD64。它在网络开发人员中很受欢迎，因为FreeBSD提供了先进的网络、性能、安全性和兼容性功能。大多数在Linux上运行的软件都可以在FreeBSD上运行，而无需任何兼容层。尽管如此， FreeBSD(FreeBSD)仍然为其他几个类似 Unix 的操作系统提供了一个兼容层，包括Linux。因此，大多数Linux二进制文件都可以在FreeBSD上运行。
FreeBSD是开源的，可以从各种媒体（包括CD-ROM、DVD ）安装，也可以使用(DVD)FTP或NFS直接通过网络安装。
FreeBSD 功能(FreeBSD Features)
1) FreeBSD附带高级硬件规范，现在支持称为ZFS文件系统（高度可扩展的多处理性能）的高级文件系统。
2) SMPng : SMPng架构允许内核中的并发性。这使得操作系统可以快速执行，因为它可以针对许多工作负载扩展到超过 8个 CPU(CPU)内核。
3) 无线：增强无线支持，包括基于 Atheros 的高功率卡、Ralink、Intel和ZyDAS卡的新驱动程序、WPA、后台扫描和漫游以及 802.11n。
FreeBSD还包括对加密软件、安全外壳、Kerberos身份验证、“虚拟服务器”的支持。
你可以在这里(here)下载 FreeBSD 。
3] OpenSolaris
OpenSolaris是由(OpenSolaris)Sun Microsystems 开发的计算机操作系统。它在台式机、笔记本电脑、服务器和数据中心上运行良好。OpenSolaris像Ubuntu一样基于GUI，具有丰富的图形桌面和窗口，便于导航。它现在在版本 11 中可用，并且可以从Oracle网站免费下载。
OpenSolaris 功能(OpenSolaris Features)
- ZFS（文件系统）
- 可引导的克隆
- 数据校验和
- 存储池 (zpools)
- 快照（使用写时复制）
- 时间滑块
此外，Sun 的ZFS文件系统现在拥有原生固态硬盘 ( SSD ) 管理技术，旨在让系统管理员能够微调SSD性能。
您可以在此处(here)下载 OpenSolaris 。
4]反应操作系统
它是一个免费的Windows兼容操作系统，提供本地运行Windows应用程序的好处。(Windows)除了是一个开源软件（它的主要亮点）之外，该工具还有一个Windows未能提供的非常酷的功能——一个非常类似于Linux包管理器的应用程序管理器。要使用该软件，请访问React OS 的官方网站(React OS’s official website)，下载图像后，使用Rufus之类的工具将其写入 USB 驱动器。
5]俳句操作系统
大多数用户喜欢这个操作系统(this OS)的地方在于它的统一性和凝聚力。要启动操作系统，只需将拇指驱动器插入USB端口并重新启动。这应该不会造成问题，因为如今大多数现代计算机都可以设置为从USB密钥启动。操作系统快速且响应迅速。此外，它还预装了许多应用程序和演示。因此，即使对于初次使用的用户，入门也不应该成为问题。
Fedora和Debian是必须在这里明确提及的其他发行版。
另请阅读：(Also read:)PC 的替代操作系统
有任何意见或评论，请在下面进行。(Have any observations or comment to make, please do so below.)
Popular Free Open Source Operating Systems
An Operating Systеm rеmains the soul of any computer. We have seen many оver time, but the one that has stоod out strong is Microsoft Windows. Windows occupies around 90 % of the total оperating system market. And why shouldn’t it? Windows is easy-to-use and comes equipped with all the services one wоuld expect from anу OS – and iѕ considered to bе better than an open-source operating system. But there are always some, who may be looking out for a free operating system for their computers.
Free Open Source Operating Systems
Today I will list down some of the most popular, open-source, and therefore free, operating systems available to computer users. Speaking about the open-source world, there are some quite impressive operating systems – that can be useful at times. Earlier I had talked about Open Source database – and today I will discuss some free and open-source operating systems and their features, in brief.
1] Ubuntu
The most widely used open-source database is Ubuntu. It is a Linux based operating system and is distributed free along with the source code. Its desktop looks somewhat similar to that of Windows, with window controls and icons. There is reasonable large software support available on Ubuntu; the common applications include Mozilla Firefox web browser, LibreOffice office application suite, GIMP image editor, and so on.
Ubuntu is distributed under GNU and GPL license. It has a UNIX shell called Terminal that can be used to interact with the network and install third-party applications.
Ubuntu Features, Specifications, and Requirements
- Support for ARM and x86 boards1
- Local storage support for DVR functionality2
- Minimum disk space: 2GB
- Minimum memory: 512 MB
- HDMI
- CEC support
- Secure full-featured web
- Social networking services
- Gallery
One of the interesting features of Ubuntu is the integration of broadcast, online services, and applications. This gives you a real TV experience on a desktop since you can now get media on demand. Ubuntu needs very little effort for installation. You can download the Windows Installer here.
Check this if you are looking for more Linux alternatives to Windows.
2] FreeBSD
FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (including Pentium and Athlon), AMD64 compatible. It is popular among network developers, as FreeBSD offers advanced networking, performance, security, and compatibility features. Most software that runs on Linux can run on FreeBSD without the need for any compatibility layer. FreeBSD nonetheless still provides a compatibility layer for several other Unix-like operating systems, including Linux. As a result, most Linux binaries can be run on FreeBSD.
FreeBSD is available under open source and can be installed from a variety of media including CD-ROM, DVD, or directly over the network using FTP or NFS.
FreeBSD Features
1) FreeBSD ships with advanced hardware specifications that now supports advanced file systems called ZFS file system (highly scalable multiprocessing performance.)
2) SMPng: The SMPng architecture allows concurrency in the kernel. This makes OS perform fast as it can scale to over 8 CPU cores for many workloads.
3) Wireless: enhances wireless support, including high-power Atheros-based cards, new drivers for Ralink, Intel, and ZyDAS cards, WPA, background scanning and roaming, and 802.11n.
FreeBSD also includes support for encryption software, secure shells, Kerberos authentication, “virtual servers”.
You can download FreeBSD here.
3] OpenSolaris
OpenSolaris is a computer operating system developed by Sun Microsystems. It runs well on desktops, laptops, servers and data centers. OpenSolaris is GUI based like Ubuntu and has rich graphical desktop and windows for easy navigation. It is now available in version 11 and can be downloaded without any cost from the Oracle website.
OpenSolaris Features
- ZFS (the file system)
- bootable clones
- checksums on data
- storage pools (zpools)
- snapshots (utilizing copy-on-write)
- Timeslider
In addition, Sun’s ZFS file system now has native solid-state drive (SSD) management technology, meant to allow system administrators to fine-tune SSD performance.
You can download OpenSolaris here.
4] ReactOS
It is a free Windows-compatible OS that offers the benefits of running Windows apps natively. Apart from being an open-source software (its main highlight), the tool has a one really cool feature that Windows failed to offer – An application manager very much similar to Linux package manager. To use the software, head over to React OS’s official website and after having downloaded the image, use a tool like Rufus to write it on a USB drive.
5] Haiku OS
What most users like about this OS is its uniformity and cohesiveness. To start up the operating system, one simply inserts the thumb drive into a USB port and reboot. This should not pose a problem as most modern computers these days can be set to boot from the USB key. The OS is fast and responsive. Moreover, it is equipped with a number of applications and demos pre-installed. So, getting started should not be a problem even for first-time users.
Fedora & Debian are the other distro’s which must definitely be mentioned here.
Also read: Alternative operating systems for PC
Have any observations or comment to make, please do so below.
