I’m downloading the latest Ubuntu Linux OS to try it out. It’s a free alternative to Windows, and comes in very handy if Windows ever quits working (for one of its various usual reasons).
To download quickly, safely, and without errors, even if there’s an interruption, Bit Torrent provides those features. Here’s a review of the most popular and effective clients. I’d not heard of qBitTorrent until today, I’ve more typically used uTorrent or BitComet years ago.
This way I also found Jamendo, which has free albums for download and sharing. It’s like the old software known as “shareware” where you could try the full product before you bought it.
Technologies like Bit Torrent help the Internet remain a place where anyone (in places without SOPA style laws) has equitable access to distribute their work for others to share it. That’s why the Pirate Party of Canada promotes the use of Bit Torrent.
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Also free, and very useful, is LibreOffice. It’s a replacement to Microsoft Office. Most people will not need to buy Word, Excel, or Powerpoint if they use LibreOffice. Install Java as well. If Java asks you to install a toolbar, just say no.
Ubuntu is a good first choice of a GNU/Linux distro for Windows refugees. My personal favourite is Slackware (http://www.slackware.com) – makes a very secure and stable server system and, with XFCE, a simple, powerful desktop.
You can check out all the GNU/Linux distros at http://distrowatch.com
Slackin’ since 1999 :)