Should we pay to use operating systems ?

Usually when we buy a personal computer or a Mac , we pay for the software that it uses. We are unaware of the fact that the price of the software itself is included in the price of the technology we want. This is a profitable business for Windows' or Mac OS' makers. According to Forbes Magazine Bill Gates (Microsoft's owner) is the second richest man in the world and first in United States ( Forbes Magazine)

In terms of copyright, the money we pay to use a operating systems are justified because someone has spent time and put effort to create a certain product and s/he expects to get a reward for work done. Big companies such as Microsoft have professionals who do their best to create a complete product that deserves the money one pay for it.

Even though , there are people who think that operating systems should be free. This is why a free operating system called Linux was released and people who cannot afford to buy a Windows or Mac OS, can use it.

 

Many countries have adopted the free software such as Linux.

Brazil , which is a developing country, launched in 2005 a campaign for a open-source society and started using Linux in stead of Microsoft. In that way they save 120 million dollars each year. ( Brazil's new policy)

France also adopted the politics of open source  software in order to reduce the money spent on IT software. The government decided that it would be better if they change their Windows XP with Ubundu, which is a free operating system, than with Windows Vista. Not only did they save money, but also reduced the time which the users need to get used to the new software. ( France's new policy)

Whether to use Windows  or a free operating systems, depends on how much one could afford to spend on such software because the price of something is the leading factor when we choose between similar products. Usually when something is more expensive, it offers a better quality. But when two products have almost the same qualities is just a matter of choice would you pay for it or use the free version.