A team of 300-odd youngsters will soon be seen on the streets of Tamil Nadu with their laptops.

They are volunteers from Indian Linux Users Group (ILUG). who have embarked on a major mission to install Linux open source operating system to computers whose users love to get away from Windows.

T. Shrinivasan, an active member of ILUG, said every year several lakhs of people buy desktop computers and laptops loaded with Windows ( Microsoft’s proprietary operating system) for a hefty rate.

“When one can get more facilities with added security in Linux free of cost why should we invest more for a proprietary software?” Shrinivasan asked.

Explaining the objective of the Linux Install Fest, which will take place between August 1 and 31, Shrinivasan said they liked to help the Linux community grow larger in size.

“We have volunteers across the state who will go to houses/educational institutions to install Linux free of cost and we will also help them whenever they have any issues with Linux”, he added.

P. Raman, another Linux enthusiast and ILUG member,  lamented that even though Tamil Nadu government installed Linux in its free laptops students had not used it.

“Students don’t have awareness about Linux, which made us think of install fest. We want youngsters to join the Linux revolution across the state”, he said.

Those interested either to volunteer the group or get Linux loaded onto their computer can browse: www. ilugc.in.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DC /  N. Arun Kumr / August 01st, 2013