Welcome

Zentu*nix at zentu.net is an ever-evolving resource dedicated to Open-Source Software (OSS), the people who write it, and the people who benefit from its use. Aside from being the most comprehensive directory of free, open-source software on the net, some of the goals and reasons for maintaining the site here are:

    -- To bring about an increased awareness of the varieties of OSS which are available as free alternatives to proprietary software.
    -- To provide a comprehensive reference source of working open-source projects, organized by form and by function.
    -- To highlight the numerous benefits (from cost-savings to security) of using OSS over pay-per-license proprietary software.
    -- To support open-source developers by providing a neutral place within the community to showcase projects of any scale: from large, well-funded ventures to the small independent projects.
    -- To assist and educate old and new users of open-source software
    -- To contribute something of value upon which future innovations will be built. The future is wide open. The foundation upon which open-source is built can and will save the world; as has been proven, open-source conserves time, energy, resources and money by being honest and efficient.

With over 700 projects listed in the directory, varieties from every fathomable area of interest, there's sure to be a project that catches your interest. "CTRL+D" bookmarks this site which has already "bookmarked" the best FOSS sites on the web; check back often and enjoy your stay!

- Shawnee

Keyboard Shortcuts to Totally Rule Your OS

Today's useful tip is one that I think many people will like: keyboard shortcuts to totally rule your operating system.

Open Hack

Although this summary is being posted a wee bit late, the event definitely deserves a write-up.

Ubiquity and the Awesomeness of Open Source

Last week, the Mozilla Labs meetup for the month of August took place in the city; it was hosted in the bright and shiny Twitter office downtown. Fun event, interesting projects and people. Specifically discussed was the new project known as Ubiquity. Ubiquity is a great example of the awesomeness of open-source.

Getting Groovy with Squidoo

As much as I like to learn everything about everything, I think sometimes it's best to leave certain details up to professionals. One of the details I've decided to "leave to the professionals" is the monetization aspect of the tutorials that I'm writing for the directory of software on this site. After much research and thought, I've decided that the pros most likely to be honest and benevolent with my tutorials are none other than the folks at . . .Squidoo.

Why is Open Source > Proprietary?

Open-Source Software (OSS) isn't just for the web; it can be used for myriad tasks from work to play. Everything from a home computer an eCommerce application used by a small business to a large University research and data center can (or does)benefit from the use of open-source software. OSS is becoming an increasingly powerful tool for individuals, educators, organizations, and business.

Q: So WHY is Open-Source Software > Proprietary?
A: The Short List

1. Open Source is free.
2. Open Source is legal.

It's Official; the Brand New Zentu

It's a brand new zentu*nix! The "space theme" from testing / development days of olde has been replaced by this decidedly more stylish theme in greens and grays. The main page, once decorated with a variety of buttons, has been treated with a reductionist measure and reduced to bare minimum.

The Novel Tease of Crowdsourcing

The Novel Tease of Crowd-Sourcing

Novelties. The Internet has been springing forth novelties for as long as it has been in existence; they come and go with intensity that is often correlated to the intensity of venture-capital (VC) backing. However, once the novelty of certain sites wears off, the "user base" sometimes drifts away. It often takes more than a neat widget or flashy doodad to keep people enraptured enough with a website to continually keep coming back.

Open-Source, Punctuated

Let's talk style.

Software is a noun. Nouns may be modified by adjectives. In his lovely little book The Elements of Style, E.B. White informs us: "When two or more words are combined to form a compound adjective, a hyphen is usually required." E.B. White is highly regarded as being a master of concise style, and being a master of concise style means being a master of punctuation.

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