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Linux for Home Users Linux for Home Users
Hey Guys! Don't raise your eyebrows or fear by hearing the word Linux. It is
as user friendly as windows. Just take a look at the articles below and all
myths about Linux in your mind will disappear.
Introduction to Linux:
It's a free operating system available to download but you have to pay a
tiny bit to mail order it or buy it from a company. Linux came into being
about 11 years ago- it was developed by Linux Tornados of Finland along with
a group of programmers from the open source software movement.
Linux is growing steadily year after year. With a passionate community
backing it, with big companies Like IBM and HP pledging their support for
it, it's no wonder Linux- the wonder operating system for servers of the
past, has also made it to the desktops of today.
Linux is based on the commercial OS, UNIX. All the operating systems try to
pack in command line management of systems. System administrators of
companies use command lines all the times as their lifeline, but it's not
really meant for regulars users.
Tips for Home Users:
•If you want to get comfortable with Linux, you don't have to let go of
windows. Get Linux installed on a separate partition and you can switch
between Windows and Linux. For new users who don't have any computer
background learning windows or Linux both takes same time and sitting. •It
is suggested that new PC buyers should get both operating systems installed
and should use them equally. If you're getting Linux for more than 2-3 PCs,
you can also get training and support at a small free, if you choose to have
it. Else it's the Linux community on the Net to your rescue. •You don't have
to be a great computer user to work with Linux. There are Desktop
environments that let you work in Linux as you work in Windows. As you work
with windows, same is the case with Linux.
Linux hands in decreasing PC prices.
PC prices are already on their way down. And you get more choice with
operating systems and applications. From being an OS only computer
professionals had heard about, Linux, in a short time, has made a transition
into the lucrative and high profile home PC segment.
The PCs bundle the operating system. Linux being a free open source
operating system means that the code that runs is open for everyone to see,
work with, modify and develop their own innovative applications for it. But
this is nothing compared to the money people spend on Operating Systems like
windows. And a company bundles Linux and applications based on it with a
computer, quite a bit of the PC cost comes down. Presently some branded PC's
coming with Linux are available for Rs: 25000/- onwards.
Linux is better than other OS
Linux users won't even bat an eyelid before they say an emphasis comes from
a deep dislike of Microsoft's practice of changing the earth for software.
But a lot of it comes from the fact they are ready to swear upon-that Linux
is more stable. According to a latest survey Web Hosts are using Linux Based
Servers for hosting purposes.
One note here though: the free in Linux stands for freedom of choice, to
redistribute, to install a feature, freedom to modify the source code.
That's the spirit of Linux being free.
Security:
Linux has a better security support for multi-users, lets you set up a
stable server, internet gateways etc, and still lets it-self to be used as a
desktop workstation. There are no blue screens and no viruses to speak of.
It is rarely attacked by any viruses and there are very less number of
viruses written for Linux. It can be given 10+ points on a 10 point scale
for security.
Myths about Linux
Installation:
Linux is hard to install, isn't it? Not really. Most people haven't ever
installed Windows on their computers either-since it comes preloaded. Linux
is as easy-some say easier-to install compared to Windows. You can install
it through a graphical user interface like Windows. These days Linux
Versions are easier to install than Windows. But what really stumps most
people in installing Linux on a second partition on their hard disk, when
they want to be able to use both operating systems.
A partition is a way of organizing space on your hard disk by creating
virtual sections that are separate from each other. Most computers that are
running Windows or MS DOS have one large chunk of space holding the OS. This
space is the C drive. If you have a large hard disk, it's likely that it has
been divided up into smaller bits called partitions to help you organize
your data better. These partitions are usually called D:, E: etc. you could
have Linux on any of these.
Windows 98 creates a file system called FAT32 on the entire hard disk, DOS
and Win95 use FAT16. Linux has many file systems-on the most popular is
ext3. But you could have Linux installed on Fat32 partitions also.
Linux is very difficult and based on text command
Linux has come a long way from being the system of brilliant computer users.
It has extremely advanced X Windows systems that have a complete graphical
user interface-you know, like Windows. It also has a large number of window
manager that let you work with different levels of customization of your
desktop.
Linux has a robust character-cell interface where commands need to be typed
in. x Windows is a free program that runs with Linux to provide a GUI where
the mouse and keyboard can be used extensively. But the X system itself is
quite primitive and needs a window manager, or a desktop environment- like
GNOME or KDE- to be really usable. Window managers are programs that let you
interact with the underlying X system and Linux OS by relaying commands. The
popular window managers are Sawfish, Enlightenment, Black box, after step
and Window maker.
As for desktop managers, they have their own window manager and other tools
that make you feel that you are working in Window! GNOME and KDE are the
most popular of these. GNOME stands for GNU Network Model Environment and
KDE for K desktop Environment. They have tools that allow drag and drop,
have panels and taskbar- almost like clones of windows.
Hardware compatibility problem and few applications that run on Linux
Well, most new distributions will detect and configure your hardware in a
jiffy, unless you have some really old or exotic piece of hardware. All
hardware are properly detected and their drivers installed. Only Win modems
(internal modems driven by Window drivers) face problems.
As for software, there's plenty. And most of it comes free-free for you to
use, modify and configure according to your needs. Almost all excellent
software for Linux is free and you don't lose anything by giving it a try.
You get free support on the Net quickly on any query you may have. And you
don't even have to wipe out your Windows. Just get Linux on a different hard
disk partition and free to switch between them as you please.
Other packages are commercial and you have to buy the software-but this is
mostly for the software and training you need, and not for the software
itself. Sometimes, if you have the Windows version (as a doom) you can
download a small program that will allow you to play the game in Linux. The
games in Linux are of very high quality and features. You'll enjoy them.
Here what's available?
Office suites: Star Office, Open Office, Applixware, Corel WordPerfect
Graphics: GIMP, Corel Photo paint Music: XMMS, Free amp, Real Player Video:
MTV, Xine Games: FreeCiv, Tux racer, Doom, Quake, Heretic, Unreal And the
list is growing.
Linux varieties for Home Users:
If there are so many people working on it. There's likely to be many Linux
versions too. Many companies working on Linux have come up with what are
called Linux distributions. There are Linux versions that are compiled and
packaged and released with additional software.
RedHat: Probably the most popular and in many ways the leading version. It's
currently in version 9. The installation and configuration is easy. A blue
curve file manager and the default GNOME desktop make it look simply
stunning. It comes with a host of tools that allow usage as a server and as
a workstation. The Red Hat Package Manger(RPM) format developed by Red Hat
has almost become the defector for software distribution in Linux world.
Installing new software is a breeze. It also has an advanced and easy font
management system that makes fonts in X Windows look cool.
Mandrake: Mandrake Linux is now in its 10 version. It can be installed on a
native Windows Partition using the Lin4Win tool, but this may slow the
machine down. It also lets you do a traditional Linux install into its own
dedicated partition. Mandrake's configuration and software installation is
painless. It follows a slightly modified RPM architecture called mdk.rpm but
most Red Hat software can also be used for Mandrake. The outstanding feature
in this version is the collection of window managers-eye-candy freaks will
have a great time.
SUSE: From Germany comes the Chameleon, SUSE. Now in its 8.x avatar, it has
one of the most extensive software packages compiled, and getting them
installed is easy with yast (Yet another Software Tool) which gives a
centralized interface from where you can pick and choose the software to be
installed. Among other things, SUSE comes with some stunning 3D games that
showcase Linux gamming prowess
Corel/Xandross: Corel entered the Linux market with Corel Linux a few years
ago. Now it has merged into Xandross OS, which is based on Corel Linux. This
is a Debian-type version, and can be installed without much fuss after
resizing the Windows partition. Xandross contains Crossover office, which is
a refined retail version of WINE that lets you install and run many
Microsoft apps.
Windows applications in Linux
Some applications have been ported over to Linux, other run with a program
called WINE (Wine is Not an Emulator). Crossover, commercially available
software also lets you use your Windows programs on Linux. VMWare is another
program that lets you run Windows under Linux. Now many software companies
have started developing high end software for Linux.
Bottom Line: The cool thing about Linux is that most software is free, and
you can legitimately use them without worrying about piracy. If you're
worried that Linux won't look as pretty as windows can, all you have to do
is check out some of the cool Linux interfaces and Window managers. But you
don't find a lot of multimedia titles for Linux. And if you're into a lot of
these, Windows is in the way to go. So if you have a PC that runs both, you
can easily switch between the two, and get the best of both worlds.
About the Author
Presently working in the capacity of the Technical Director of Birbals,
an e-consulting firm based in India dedicated in providing innovative and
effective web, Hospitality and consultancy services to public, private and
non-profit organizations. Successfully founded Birbals and other IT
companies like Ebirbals and SeoBirbals. Responsible for strategy,
positioning and branding, designing, planning, organizing and executing
various business plans.
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