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The OpenSource concept means that any material produced under OpenSource
conditions may be freely copied and adapted for personal use. However, this does not mean that there are no restrictions on what happens to the products. Much of the OpenSource software is produced under the so-called GNU Public Licence (GPL). (see: http://www.gnu.org) This licensing requires that, if the software is altered, the source code must also be redistributed under the same license. Other free software has less stringent requirements; some demand only that you do not change the name of the author. TIMLOTO makes use of GPL-tools. The most important of these are: - Linux as operating system, see: http://www.linux.org - Open Office al office package, see http://www.openoffice.org - Python and Tkinter as programming environments, see zie:http://www.python.org - Xfig as drawing program, see http://www.xfig.org - LaTeX as typesetting program, see http://www.latex-project.org Note: TIMLOTO would appreciate the reporting of any improvements made to its OpenSource products so that these improvements can be transferred to the original material as well. What is Linux?Linux is a computer operating system which means that it is an alternative for MacOs, MS-Windows, Solaris and many other systems. It was originally developed by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish programmer, but it is continually being further developed through the collaborative efforts of private users and companies all over the world. Linux is known for its stability, flexibility and security.Linux is comprised of a base, the 'kernel', and a number of support programs. Diverse programs can be run on top of this base. Companies and private users have already produced, among other things, a number of user-friendly utilities, word processors and games. Linux is free software. This means that you can adapt and change the programs and the source code in any way. Moreover, you can use and redistribute Linux and other OpenSource software both freely and free-of-charge. Linux is supplied in so-called distributions by a number of companies. Fedora, RedHat, SuSE, Mandriva and Ubuntu are just a few of these companies. Furthermore, hundreds of volunteers are working together on the Debian GNU/Linux Project to provide a complete operating system with thousands of extra programs. (see: http//:www.nl.debian.org). Linux is suitable for use by large target groups as well as private PC users. It operates on most hardware which was originally designed for MS-Windows or other operating systems. Wat is OpenOffice.org?OpenOffice.org is an office application and is compatible with all other large office packages. It is an OpenSource product. OpenOffice.org can be downloaded, used and redistributed all free of charge.TIMLOTO uses the OpenOffice.org standard text format, the odt format. This means that users of other office packages can adapt TIMLOTO texts to the desired file format. Furthermore, it is simple and easy to create pdf files with the OpenOffice.org package. What are Python and Tkinter?Python is an OpenSource programming language and has also been released for commercial use. It runs on several platforms. Tkinter is Python's standard graphic users' environment.TIMLOTO uses Python as its programming environment. Python programs ends with the extension 'py' or 'pyw' and can only be run when Python has been installed. Python programs can also be changed into 'exe' programs so that these programs can function independently under the MS-Windows operating system. Both programs can be downloaded from this site. The 'py' and 'pyw' programs can be altered; 'exe' programs cannot. What is LaTeX?LaTeX is a system for creating documents and is ideal for the production of technical books and papers. LaTeX is not a word processing tool.It enables the user to concentrate on the content of the document rather than on the layout. LaTeX is included in most Linux distributions. MikTeX is the OpenSource version of LaTeX for the MS-windows operating system and can be downloaded free of charge. (see: http//:www.miktex.org) What is Xfig?Xfig is an interactive, vector-oriented drawing tool that runs under X-window in the Linux systems. Xfig is freeware and may be used, copied and re-distributed freely. It is not, however, an OpenSource product.Xfig is used intensively by TIMLOTO as a drawing program. Drawings can be used for documentation, for Python programs and for animation. The MS-Windows version is called WinFig. TIMLOTO has no experience in the use of WinFig. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licention. |
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