Show Windows The Door!
Most of the computer-using world uses Windows while some use a Mac. But apart from these two, there is another Operating System (OS) that has gained acceptance and become popular with home and office users alike. Linux, christened after its original author Linus Torvalds, is an Open Source (meaning sources of information, code, pictures, maps, authors, and everything related is publicly viewable and openly modifiable). Linux was written when Torvalds was just a student at the University of Helsinki. In October, 1991 Torvalds posted the source code for the new kernel—the core component—version .02 on Usenet. Three years later, in 1994, version 1.0 was officially released.
So what are the major differences and advantages (or disadvantages) of Linux over Windows and other OSes? And why should you use Linux?
Here are a few reasons why Linux might be the perfect operating system to meet your requirements:
• A Linux Distribution has thousands of rupees worth of software for no cost (or maybe for just a few hundred if purchased on CD/DVD).
• Linux is a complete operating system that is stable—the crash of an application is much less likely to bring down the operating system under Linux.
• Excellent networking facilities: allowing you to share CPUs, modems and more with better performance, fewer restrictions and no fee for a licence.
• A wide variety of commercial software is available if your needs aren’t satisfied by the free software.
• An operating system that is easily upgradeable. After any length of time a typical installation of Windows and software gets into a complete mess. Often, the only way to clear out all the debris is to reformat the hard disk and start again. Linux, however, is much better for maintaining the system.
• True multi-tasking: the ability to run more than one program at the same time. This releases the power of the modern PC to sparkle by serving multiple users over a network.
• An excellent window system called X; the equivalent of Windows but much more flexible. You can even open a window on another computer with security and work or display remotely.
So, Where Do I Start?
Linux is an operating system, i.e., an environment to allow you to interact with your computer. It normally needs to be installed onto your computer’s hard drive—if your machine has Microsoft Windows then that was initially installed by your supplier and currently occupies your hard drive. To install and use Linux, you could either remove Windows or install another hard drive.
If you don’t know how to do this and want a new machine, try asking your vendor for Linux pre-installed rather than Windows—that should also reduce the cost of the computer! One other alternative is to use an old machine that you no longer use to play around with Linux first. Warning: Make sure you backup your data before installing Linux.
What Is The Best Linux Distribution?
For a beginner, the most important attribute of a Linux distribution is how easy it is to install, configure and maintain. Distributions that come with thousands of individual programs are often just bewildering to a newbie. The download edition of Mandriva (formerly known as Mandrake) comes on three CDs, and has an extremely polished installation. Another excellent distribution designed for beginners is Xandros, which is simplicity to install and use.
Other distributions that fit the bill include SuSE, Linspire, and Fedora. One relative newcomer that is gathering huge interest is Ubuntu, a Debian-based distribution, which has six monthly releases, and support.
There is an alternative to installing a Linux distribution to your hard disk. Many Linux distributions that can be run directly from a CD/DVD, these are known as Live CDs. Knoppix is the most famous of these live distributions. Due to on-the-fly decompression, the Knoppix CD can have up to 2 GB of executable software installed on it, so there’s no shortage of software for you to experiment with. Naturally, there’s a performance hit from running the distribution from a CD/DVD, as this can never be as fast as running from a hard disk.
How Much Does Linux Cost?
The price of a Linux distribution depends on a number of factors—is it supplied with commercial software, on media such as CD-ROM or DVD and is printed documentation provided? It is recommend that a Linux beginner pay some money to get Linux on a CD-ROM—in the long run the initial expense is easily covered by the time saved learning how to use this operating system.
Generally, most Linux distributions are:
• Downloaded over the Internet for free. These do not come supplied with commercial software;
• Purchased on a ‘free’ CD-ROM or DVD. These are extremely cheap and cost only a few rupees and save a long download, although with broadband, this no longer makes such a huge difference. Also available are PC-style office applications for free, such as the incredibly popular OpenOffice (www.openoffice.org).
• Provided as a box set with manuals and commercial software bundled in. For many beginners to Linux, this is the route to take; with Mandriva and SuSE you receive a quality manual that has specific information about the Linux distribution.
Is My Hardware Compatible?
This can often be a hurdle for the newbie to Linux. Linux currently supports less hardware than Windows. With most new purchases of accessories drivers for the Windows-based operating systems are included, yet Linux drivers are normally not provided. This situation is slowly changing, though. Accessories that aren’t supported in Linux are the latest 3D graphic cards (or at least only some of their functionality is supported), Winmodems (which only work with Microsoft Windows), windows printers and some soundcards.
If possible, make an agreement that hardware that does not work with Linux can be returned. That way, it is sufficient to check the often problematic parts beforehand.
How Do I Download Linux?
For the Linux beginner on a dial-up connection, it is recommended that you obtain Linux on CD/DVD rather than downloading it over the net as it will take forever to download. However, if you have a fast Internet connection, you can download Linux from the sites of the various variants mentioned above. Just do a Google search and you will find the download sites!
Can my Windows applications run under Linux?
There are a number of choices that are available. One popular commercial program is VMware, which lets you run multiple operating systems on an individual machine. A wide number of operating systems are supported including Windows 95, Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP, and FreeBSD. Their website is www.vmware.com.
If you want to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Internet Explorer (why?), Access, Photoshop, iTunes, FrontPage and others, you might be interested in CrossOver Office, a project that has built upon the success of Wine.
The downside of both VMWare and CrossOver Office is that both applications are commercial and quite expensive. However, there is a no-cost alternative. Wine is an Open Source implementation of the Windows API on top of X and Unix. Wine makes it possible to take advantage of all the Unix strong points (stability, flexibility, remote administration) while still using the Windows applications you depend on.
With Linux, there are no barriers, no price controls, and no proprietary knowledge. The limitations are your own.
Major Linux Features
• Pre-emptive multitasking (meaning that more than one task or application program can be running at the same time, pre-emptive meaning the operating system rather than the application has control of tasks and the allotment of clock cycles to applications)
• Multi-user (meaning that more than one user can be logged on at the same time without affecting each other);
• Has rudimentary security is built-in (login and password, file ownership and permissions);
• Was designed for connectivity (that is, to connect many computers and workstations together);
• Uses full 32-bit access to data in protected mode; up to 128 MB RAM, and up to 4 GB storage;
• Peacefully co-exists with DOS/Windows on separate partitions or hard disks the same machine;
• Supports 256-character, case sensitive file names; unification of file, directory, device, and interprocess input/output (all treated as files);
• A hierarchical file system (like the directory layers in DOS/Windows—directories inside directories).
Posted by Scribbler at 10:16 PM
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