The Appeal of Linux to Technical Tinkerers

June 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Servers designed for Linux 

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Linux appeals to a specific population of computer users – the tinkerer. This is the user that loves nothing more than to take systems apart, rebuild them and tweak them within an inch of the computers life. They are more likely than not to have old systems sitting around, waiting for the right moment to ressurect one. Personalities such as this love Linux for its ability to provide them with hours of fascination an education.

Computing power once grew in leaps and bounds, but now has stagnated and left many a metal carcass in its wake. This is where Linux shines, especially for the tinkerer. Servers once required their own PC, now they are simply a hard drive in a case, connected to a network. Linux revives the old server that’s running on ancient hardware, and turns it into a streaming media server. No need to purchase an expensive streaming media box when an old system can be recycled with Linux.

Another excellent use of Linux is for a gaming server. Want to set up a LAN party for your friends, but don’t have the money to put out for a server? Source out an old PC that has a decent processor on it, such as a Pentium III, and install a version of Linux that is geared towards gamers. For less than $100, you can set up a LAN in your garage and invite your friends over for a night of  virtually blowing each other to bits.

Those who have a desire to learn more about their computers and what they can do are best served by starting with Linux.

 

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Should You Download Programs Just Because You Have Linux?

December 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Installing Microsoft Windows Vista
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One of the biggest advantages of installing a Linux operating system on your computer is that you automatically enjoy extra security from viruses and other malwares. So, why is Linux considered safer?

For starters, it is not as widespread as Windows. Hence, hackers and other malicious elements have not targeted Linux in a large spread manner. While this is true for the personal computing segment, Linux is the standard operating system in web servers and other internet related infrastructure. In this field, Linux has proved that it is completely safe and secure. It is very robust and has the capacity of withstanding attacks better.

Does this mean that you can afford to be careless just because you have the Linux operating system? Remember that malicious elements on the internet have a lot to gain by infecting your computer with viruses. From credit card information that you enter when purchasing stuff on the internet, to your social security number and other private financial details, each and every detail can be sold at a very high price.

Hence, do not make the mistake of visiting untested and unsafe websites to download programs just because it is offered for free. Do not make the mistake of doing something on the internet that you would not otherwise do, thinking that Linux will protect you.

Safety rules should be followed even if you have the best quality antivirus and anti-spyware applications in your computer. If you want to download programs for free, you should opt for shareware programs downloaded from reputable websites, or be prepared for a computer to be infected by viruses. Remember, all it takes is a single instance of cyber theft to lose your life saving. Free programs are certainly not worth such a high price. It is better to play safe and be safe.

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More About Linux

November 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Odd places for a Microsoft Windows Crash
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The open-source nature of the Linux operating system is one of its greatest benefits. Because the source code for the operating system is made readily available in the public domain, it offers great benefits over closed-source operating systems such as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

The source code for Linux can be improved upon, tested and scrutinized by people all over the globe, and this leads to improvements in stability and security. Another major benefit of Linux in comparison to Microsoft Windows operating systems is that Linux is based upon another operating system, known as Unix, where as Microsoft Windows is a stand alone, completely proprietary type of operating system.

Many people that are considering making the switch between Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems find themselves wondering if their software will be portable from one operating system to the other. The Linux operating system wasn’t designed to suit Windows software, so some software is not going to run on Linux. What you can do, however, is use an interface like WINE that will allow you to use Windows-based software on your Linux operating system. There are other alternatives that cost money, but WINE is free and actually comes bundled with many of the currently available Linux distributions.

Many Linux enthusiasts are hoping that more people will make the switch to Linux-alternative software so that more and more software applications will be written to suit the Linux operating system. Because Linux users do not have to register to use the software, there is currently no known figure for how many people use Linux as their primary operating system.

Linux was originally built in 1991 by Linus Torvalds who was an undergraduate student at the time in Finland. He attended the University of Helsinki there. He is continuing to develop Linux operating system releases, now with the assistance of both hackers and programmers that volunteer their time from all over the world.

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More Advantages of Linux

November 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Graph of typical Operating System placement on...
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When it comes to the Linux operating system, it is vitally important that users understand that there are a wide variety of different distributions, and each is going to vary greatly from the others. This level of variance is going to contribute heavily to the advantages and the disadvantages of the operating system. Some benefits and advantages are the same while others vary widely depending on what Linux operating system distribution you are specifically making use of.

For example, nearly all distributions of the Linux operating system are less susceptible to attacks from malicious software. Additionally, most Linux operating system distributions use far fewer resources. They come with a wide variety of bundled software programs, and they tend to offer a lot of additional freedom in comparison to the restrictive user licenses that proprietary operating systems like Microsoft Windows tend to require. Most distributions of the Linux operating system are a lot more stable than other operating systems, especially when you consider the server editions.

The Fedora Linux operating system, for example, comes bundled with a wide variety of different software programs including project management, database management, spreadsheets and word processing software solutions. With each distribution of the Linux operating system, there will be improvements and other changes in comparison to previous releases. Fedora Linux 6, for example, is quite different in comparison to Fedora Linux 10. As such, the software that you find bundled in one distribution of the Linux operating system may not appear in another. Still, Linux users can choose from thousands of different programs available from a repository.

Although some distributions of the Linux operating system are fee-based, most are completely free to use and open source. There are numerous advantages to using the Linux operating system over other proprietary and closed source operating systems like Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows.

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