Technology And Computer|

Article by Kate Kaif

The Technology is an amazing matter. This technology can be seen most probably when you are comparing older computers with latest models. There is no good comparison between the two versions. We have come to a position of computers that could never been thought back in the middle of 1990. Here there is a comparison of computers throughout the background of computing. These are personal observations from someone who was there when it was started.When computers became a new root of life , computers left a lot to be desired, but we didn’t know it. Personal computers were used more for work done. You had to be well versed in computer language in order to run the programs that you wanted to run. There was no such thing as Windows or any other type of operating system. If you didn’t know commands, you couldn’t use the computer.Computers in this age were usually stocked with whopping megabytes of memory. You didn’t need a lot of memory for documents. You didn’t even need that much when the internet became a sensation. You just needed the ability to connect and you had the world at your fingertips. 3.5 floppy discs took over the older version of external memory which were large discs that took up a lot of space. The 3.5 floppies were an amazing discovery because they were so much smaller than the older version. There wasn’t that much to the older computers. You turned them on and there you were, ready to take on the world.Time moved on though and we were introduced to a much easier way to get our work done. We were then able to run a computer without knowing difficult commands. Turn on the computer and it was all there. You just had to know how to get into the programs but it only took clicks and navigating power.As time moved further into the future, the internet got bigger and bigger. More and more people flocked to stores to purchase computers so they could get in on this amazing wonder. In the 1980′s, you would have to purchase a scanner in order to get pictures sent to friends. That is a far cry from the current computer model which most often comes with a scanner/printer/fax all in one.Early models of computers also didn’t include things such as a USB port, let alone four of five. There was no such thing back then. Computers in that time were not able to download huge file loads. For instance, music on the internet was basically Midi files. You couldn’t get an entire song if you could get the song at all.

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In the world of information technology, the words UNIX and Linux are famous and most common because of its wide usage across the world.  Both are operating systems and UNIX is the first operating system written in the C language.  It is also a freeware product with lot of extension and new ideas provided by universities and individuals in a variety of versions.  Also, UNIX is used in the workstation products from Silicon Graphics, IBM, Sun and other companies.  Unix environment and client/server program models were important element in the evolution of interent and changing the face of modern computing as centered in the networks rather than on personal computer solutions.

Unlike UNIX, Linux, which is a clone of UNIX, was designed for individual computer segment and available on free of cost or with a very less cost compared to UNIX operating system.  It has already gained popularity as a replacement operating system to proprietary operating systems like Windows and very efficient and very fast performing system.   Even though windows occupied the number one spot in terms of desktop operating system, Linux has evolved as an alternative to it.  It is also a publicly open and extendible by contributors such as students because it conforms to the Portable Operating System Interface standard user and programming interfaces, software developers can develop applications which can be ported to other OS.  There are many electronic equipment are now equipped with Linux such as Mobile Phones, video games, tablet computers, etc.

As a matter of fact, UNIX and Linux are somehow similar with their file structure, commands, etc.  Some minute differences between them might be how some things are implemented.  You can interchange between them and may not experience any difference at all, except for the drivers such as ATi or NVIDIA display drivers, which are not interchangeable.

Even though over the years many UNIX Kernels have been developed, Linux has emerged as the most successful and useful by far. Some it said that Linux is the Windows of Unix, means how Windows is DOS based and always has DOS in the background.

#1: Full access vs. no access

Having access to the source code is probably the single most significant difference between Linux and Windows. The fact that Linux belongs to the GNU Public License ensures that users (of all sorts) can access (and alter) the code to the very kernel that serves as the foundation of the Linux operating system. You want to peer at the Windows code? Good luck. Unless you are a member of a very select (and elite, to many) group, you will never lay eyes on code making up the Windows operating system.

You can look at this from both sides of the fence. Some say giving the public access to the code opens the operating system (and the software that runs on top of it) to malicious developers who will take advantage of any weakness they find. Others say that having full access to the code helps bring about faster improvements and bug fixes to keep those malicious developers from being able to bring the system down. I have, on occasion, dipped into the code of one Linux application or another, and when all was said and done, was happy with the results. Could I have done that with a closed-source Windows application? No.

#2: Licensing freedom vs. licensing restrictions

Along with access comes the difference between the licenses. I’m sure that every IT professional could go on and on about licensing of PC software. But let’s just look at the key aspect of the licenses (without getting into legalese). With a Linux GPL-licensed operating system, you are free to modify that software and use and even republish or sell it (so long as you make the code available). Also, with the GPL, you can download a single copy of a Linux distribution (or application) and install it on as many machines as you like. With the Microsoft license, you can do none of the above. You are bound to the number of licenses you purchase, so if you purchase 10 licenses, you can legally install that operating system (or application) on only 10 machines.

#3: Online peer support vs. paid help-desk support

This is one issue where most companies turn their backs on Linux. But it’s really not necessary. With Linux, you have the support of a huge community via forums, online search, and plenty of dedicated Web sites. And of course, if you feel the need, you can purchase support contracts from some of the bigger Linux companies (Red Hat and Novell for instance).

However, when you use the peer support inherent in Linux, you do fall prey to time. You could have an issue with something, send out e-mail to a mailing list or post on a forum, and within 10 minutes be flooded with suggestions. Or these suggestions could take hours of days to come in. It seems all up to chance sometimes. Still, generally speaking, most problems with Linux have been encountered and documented. So chances are good you’ll find your solution fairly quickly.

On the other side of the coin is support for Windows. Yes, you can go the same route with Microsoft and depend upon your peers for solutions. There are just as many help sites/lists/forums for Windows as there are for Linux. And you can purchase support from Microsoft itself. Most corporate higher-ups easily fall victim to the safety net that having a support contract brings. But most higher-ups haven’t had to depend up on said support contract. Of the various people I know who have used either a Linux paid support contract or a Microsoft paid support contract, I can’t say one was more pleased than the other. This of course begs the question “Why do so many say that Microsoft support is superior to Linux paid support?”

#4: Full vs. partial hardware support

One issue that is slowly becoming nonexistent is hardware support. Years ago, if you wanted to install Linux on a machine you had to make sure you hand-picked each piece of hardware or your installation would not work 100 percent. I can remember, back in 1997-ish, trying to figure out why I couldn’t get Caldera Linux or Red Hat Linux to see my modem. After much looking around, I found I was the proud owner of a Winmodem. So I had to go out and purchase a US Robotics external modem because that was the one modem I knew would work. This is not so much the case now. You can grab a PC (or laptop) and most likely get one or more Linux distributions to install and work nearly 100 percent. But there are still some exceptions. For instance, hibernate/suspend remains a problem with many laptops, although it has come a long way.

With Windows, you know that most every piece of hardware will work with the operating system. Of course, there are times (and I have experienced this over and over) when you will wind up spending much of the day searching for the correct drivers for that piece of hardware you no longer have the install disk for. But you can go out and buy that 10-cent Ethernet card and know it’ll work on your machine (so long as you have, or can find, the drivers). You also can rest assured that when you purchase that insanely powerful graphics card, you will probably be able to take full advantage of its power.

#5: Command line vs. no command line

No matter how far the Linux operating system has come and how amazing the desktop environment becomes, the command line will always be an invaluable tool for administration purposes. Nothing will ever replace my favorite text-based editor, ssh, and any given command-line tool. I can’t imagine administering a Linux machine without the command line. But for the end user — not so much. You could use a Linux machine for years and never touch the command line. Same with Windows. You can still use the command line with Windows, but not nearly to the extent as with Linux. And Microsoft tends to obfuscate the command prompt from users. Without going to Run and entering cmd (or command, or whichever it is these days), the user won’t even know the command-line tool exists. And if a user does get the Windows command line up and running, how useful is it really?

#6: Centralized vs. noncentralized application installation

The heading for this point might have thrown you for a loop. But let’s think about this for a second. With Linux you have (with nearly every distribution) a centralized location where you can search for, add, or remove software. I’m talking about package management systems, such as Synaptic. With Synaptic, you can open up one tool, search for an application (or group of applications), and install that application without having to do any Web searching (or purchasing).

Windows has nothing like this. With Windows, you must know where to find the software you want to install, download the software (or put the CD into your machine), and run setup.exe or install.exe with a simple double-click. For many years, it was thought that installing applications on Windows was far easier than on Linux. And for many years, that thought was right on target. Not so much now. Installation under Linux is simple, painless, and centralized.

#7: Flexibility vs. rigidity

I always compare Linux (especially the desktop) and Windows to a room where the floor and ceiling are either movable or not. With Linux, you have a room where the floor and ceiling can be raised or lowered, at will, as high or low as you want to make them. With Windows, that floor and ceiling are immovable. You can’t go further than Microsoft has deemed it necessary to go.

Take, for instance, the desktop. Unless you are willing to pay for and install a third-party application that can alter the desktop appearance, with Windows you are stuck with what Microsoft has declared is the ideal desktop for you. With Linux, you can pretty much make your desktop look and feel exactly how you want/need. You can have as much or as little on your desktop as you want. From simple flat Fluxbox to a full-blown 3D Compiz experience, the Linux desktop is as flexible an environment as there is on a computer.

#8: Fanboys vs. corporate types

I wanted to add this because even though Linux has reached well beyond its school-project roots, Linux users tend to be soapbox-dwelling fanatics who are quick to spout off about why you should be choosing Linux over Windows. I am guilty of this on a daily basis (I try hard to recruit new fanboys/girls), and it’s a badge I wear proudly. Of course, this is seen as less than professional by some. After all, why would something worthy of a corporate environment have or need cheerleaders? Shouldn’t the software sell itself? Because of the open source nature of Linux, it has to make do without the help of the marketing budgets and deep pockets of Microsoft. With that comes the need for fans to help spread the word. And word of mouth is the best friend of Linux.

Some see the fanaticism as the same college-level hoorah that keeps Linux in the basements for LUG meetings and science projects. But I beg to differ. Another company, thanks to the phenomenon of a simple music player and phone, has fallen into the same fanboy fanaticism, and yet that company’s image has not been besmirched because of that fanaticism. Windows does not have these same fans. Instead, Windows has a league of paper-certified administrators who believe the hype when they hear the misrepresented market share numbers reassuring them they will be employable until the end of time.

#9: Automated vs. nonautomated removable media

I remember the days of old when you had to mount your floppy to use it and unmount it to remove it. Well, those times are drawing to a close — but not completely. One issue that plagues new Linux users is how removable media is used. The idea of having to manually “mount” a CD drive to access the contents of a CD is completely foreign to new users. There is a reason this is the way it is. Because Linux has always been a multiuser platform, it was thought that forcing a user to mount a media to use it would keep the user’s files from being overwritten by another user. Think about it: On a multiuser system, if everyone had instant access to a disk that had been inserted, what would stop them from deleting or overwriting a file you had just added to the media? Things have now evolved to the point where Linux subsystems are set up so that you can use a removable device in the same way you use them in Windows. But it’s not the norm. And besides, who doesn’t want to manually edit the /etc/fstab fle?

#10: Multilayered run levels vs. a single-layered run level

I couldn’t figure out how best to title this point, so I went with a description. What I’m talking about is Linux’ inherent ability to stop at different run levels. With this, you can work from either the command line (run level 3) or the GUI (run level 5). This can really save your socks when X Windows is fubared and you need to figure out the problem. You can do this by booting into run level 3, logging in as root, and finding/fixing the problem.

With Windows, you’re lucky to get to a command line via safe mode — and then you may or may not have the tools you need to fix the problem. In Linux, even in run level 3, you can still get and install a tool to help you out (hello apt-get install APPLICATION via the command line). Having different run levels is helpful in another way. Say the machine in question is a Web or mail server. You want to give it all the memory you have, so you don’t want the machine to boot into run level 5. However, there are times when you do want the GUI for administrative purposes (even though you can fully administer a Linux server from the command line). Because you can run the startx command from the command line at run level 3, you can still start up X Windows and have your GUI as well. With Windows, you are stuck at the Graphical run level unless you hit a serious problem.

After creating a website for your business or personal use, one of the decisions you will need to make is the type of hosting that will be used. Two choices include Linux hosting or Windows hosting. Understanding the differences between these two types of hosting and which form of hosting is best under which circumstances is crucial.

One element that you may wish to consider is that in terms of cost, Windows hosting tends to be more expensive than Linux hosting. This is due to the fact that Linux is an open platform hosting which can be downloaded for free. This is not the case with Windows hosting, which is licensed and means that you will need to pay a licensing fee in order to use it.

It is also important to consider that there are some technologies which cannot be run on Linux and the same holds true for Windows. If you have technologies on your website such as PHP, MySQL or Apache Linux is probably going to be the best option for you. On the other hand, if you operate your site using ASP or ASPX (.NET) then the Windows hosting is likely going to be the best option for your website’s needs.

You should also take into consideration the amount of server resources that are used for each option. Windows hosting tends to have more server overhead than Linux, which means it is going to take more server resources. As a result, if you have a website that does not have a lot of traffic you may find that it is not as cost effective to host it using Windows. In this case Linux would most likely be a more cost effective option.

Of course, you should also consider how easy each type of hosting is to use. By and large, Windows is considered to be far easier to use than Linux. If you do not have a lot of experience in matters of web development and programming, you will likely feel more comfortable using Windows. On the other hand, if you do have some experience in this area, Linux hosting might be fine for you.

Finally, consider that it tends to be easier to integrate other Windows products with Windows hosting, which might not be quite so easy if you choose Linux hosting. Overall, both offer advantages, so make sure you choose carefully.

In the Computer Stone Age – say, 25 years ago or so – just about every computer was custom built. Before the big computer makers turned PCs into commodities, you would order a certain motherboard, a certain CPU, a certain amount of RAM (at up to $400 a megabyte in the mid-1980s) and even specify the wattage of your power supply. Then the marketing people took over from the entrepreneurs, and pre-built computers started to rule the roost.

Today, computer components have become so powerful and so relatively inexpensive, and manufacturing processes so sophisticated, that it is a simple thing for the “majors” – Dell, H-P/Compaq, IBM, Gateway – to offer custom-built computers as well as pre-built ones. How do you decide what is best for you?

What’cha gonna do?

The most important consideration is what you are going to use your computer for. If you are going to do some word processing, web surfing, music playing and a little photo work, an off-the-shelf pre-built computer is the way to go. Unless you have some high-octane processing to do, such as high-end game playing or professional video editing, you don’t need anything more than a company’s entry-level model. You could probably even make do with two- to five-year-old technology, even, if you don’t mind buying used or refurbished PCs without warranties.

On the other hand, if you are going to make more demands on your computer, you need more horsepower. For gamers, it is not just the CPU (Central Processing Unit, or “main brain”) strength that matters. Today’s computer games also require a great deal of graphics processing, meaning more powerful graphics subsystems. The lower-end computers have less powerful graphics chips “integrated” on the main circuit board, while higher-end machines have separate graphics “cards.”

More money vs. more smarts

If you need more power, for games or video or what-have-you, and don’t really know the technical side of things, get a more expensive computer. The CPU and the graphics subsystems are the first things that computer makers upgrade as they fill out their lines. If you do know the tech stuff, then you are the kind of person who can do well in the custom-built computer market.

Remember that “custom-built” can mean a few different things. For Dell and HP, for example, it means starting out with a basic, “barebones” setup to which you add your choice of standard or upgraded components. However, there are a thousand and one (a million and one?) PC storefronts around the country that offer “custom-built” computers, and this time the term involves real customizing. With this kind of dealer, you can “spec” everything from the computer case and power supply to the amount of RAM, the kind of CPU, the size of the hard drive and the sophistication of the DVD burner. Every choice is yours.

Final considerations

Don’t spend money that you don’t have to spend. Spend only what you need to get the job done, unless you know you will doing other, more power-hungry operations in the near future. In that case, spend what you need to and get the capability that will hold you for at least a year. Whether you go with a pre- or custom-built computer is not as important as what you need to do, and how to do it cost-effectively. The fact is that a solid, capable, new computer can cost as little as $200-300 now, and will do all the basics like web surfing, photo editing and music/video playing right out of the box.

Remember, too, that it is not just PCs that can be approached this way, as Apple offers custom-built computers and various outfitting options for its new Macintosh models, as well. Dealers in used and refurbished computers have also made room for the Mac models, which are now powered by Intel CPUs and share many components with the rest of the PC world now, a real change from the “founding era” of the 1970s and 1980s.

So, for you “power users” out there, whether you want a PC or a Mac, you can have it the way you want it with just a little effort. And you folks who make fewer demands on your computers will find a great selection of pre-built computers that will do everything you want for precious little coin. But now that you’ve learned a little more about how it all works, deciding between a custom-built and pre-built computer might not be quite as easy as before!

If you have a need for a computer for your home or business, but cannot afford to buy one outright, you have two basic options: you can rent a computer or you can lease one. While these two options may seem very similar, there are actually major differences between renting and leasing. Both are convenient, but for different situations. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best option for your needs.

What Is Renting a Computer

Renting a computer is a lot like renting a car. This is usually done for a temporary and short need for a computer. You pay a fee, which is far less than the cost of actually buying a computer, and are given a computer to use. This can be just one computer or it can be a complete network, depending on your needs, but you will only be using the equipment for a short period of time, ranging from a few days to a few months.

When Renting a Computer Works Well

When would you want to rent a computer? There are many situations when it might be convenient. Consider these options:

? School – Do you want to offer a short computer training program at your school or college setting? Renting a setup would save you money, and you could charge an additional fee to your students who wish to take the class. When the training period is over, you simply return the equipment.

? Conventions – When you present at a convention, you may wish to have specialized equipment to use to display your PowerPoint presentation. Instead of lugging your own equipment with you, dealing with it at the airport, and setting it up once you arrive at your location, you can rent the gear, have it set up for you when you arrive, and simply bring your presentation on a disk or drive.

? Travel – In general, traveling is a time when carrying your computer is difficult, particularly if you do not have a laptop. When you rent a computer, you can have it ready, configured, and waiting for you at your destination.

? Temporary moves – When businesses move into temporary settings, setting up and then quickly taking down an entire technology infrastructure is highly inconvenient. Renting for this short period of time eliminates this problem.

Computers and other specialized equipment can also be rented to help deal with special projects. For instance, if you have a big project coming online that would require an extra printer or computer, you can rent it for the duration of the project, rather than buying it and having it sit unused most of the year.

What Is Leasing a Computer?

Leasing a computer, like leasing a car, is a more long-term commitment. You will sign a lease agreement for a set period, such as a year or longer, and if you back out of the agreement you will pay a penalty. You will typically pay monthly for the equipment you are using, and technical support is often included in the package. Sometimes the agreement allows you to rent to own, but the main benefit of leasing is the fact that leasing computer equipment cost a lot less at the outset than buying it.

When Leasing Makes Sense

Leasing makes sense when a business does not have enough capital to buy computer equipment, yet must have it for long term needs. If your business needs computer equipment, but you cannot afford to buy it, leasing allows you to avoid taking on debt to meet your need. You can preserve your lines of credit for other potential expenses. Leasing a computer also works well for individuals who need one but cannot afford to buy one, and there are many rental companies that offer individual leases for home computers. Basically, any time you or your business needs a computer but cannot afford to buy one, leasing is a convenient option.

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The first unique difference is how you access the server. Generally, both offer FTP access to your files, however, Linux is the only one that offers telnet or ssh access. This is probably due to the target audience that each operating system targets. While windows is targeted to the mass public, linux is probably more focused in that it provides many more features that would only be demanded by programmers and people familiar with computing and programming.

In any case, while this may seem like a fundamental difference, there really is very little to separate FTP from telnet or ssh in the practical sense. While FTP allows you to download the file to work locally, telnet and ssh allows you to modify the root file on the web server by using unix commands.

The second difference between linux and windows <a style=”font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;” rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://website.ws/kvmlm2/index.dhtml?sponsor=websitenameavailable&template=0&chk=1″>cheap web page hosting</a> is that windows and linux support different languages. Linux tends to be associated with PHP, Perl and CGI while Windows is usually associated with ColdFusion and ASP. The database languages are also usually different, with Windows favoring Access while Linux users use MySQL.

Windows also writes its pages in .htm format while Linux writes its web pages in .html. Ultimately these differences are minor, but can make significant difference if you are not prepared for it. Trying to modify Access files while you are using a computer that only has Linux can often be a surprising exercise in futility for the beginning programmer.

In terms of security, people tend to argue against Windows, citing a whole host of vulnerabilities. This is correct in a sense; while Linux tends to have the same amount of vulnerabilities, it is patched and updated faster due to its open source and free nature.

This is in stark contrast to Windows vulnerabilities which are usually patched every time a new service pack is released. However, security also depends largely on your network administrator. With good administrators, your cheap web page hosting site is safe regardless of OS.

Ultimately, the choice is yours to make, whether you prefer windows or Linux cheap web page hosting. It is better to pick a web host based on its features and service rather than on what operating system it is running on its web servers. As the difference between the two is very little. However, if your website particularly requires a certain language due to the programmers you work with or any other language, it would be prudent to check for system compatibility before subscribing to a cheap web page hosting service.

If you do not require such specific details, you should simply sit back and let the web host handle these complicated technical details and focus on your website itself. After all, the content is way more important than the programming language or the OS of the cheap web page hosting servers.