Technology And Computer|

What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system created by Linus Torvalds during his days as a student at the University of Helsinki. Linux was created and meant to be used as an option or substitute to the other operating systems being used by computer users, like MS-DOS, Windows, Mac OSX, etc. Linux is not a program or a set of programs like a word processor of an office suite.

A Brief History

While studying at the University of Helsinki, Linus used a version of the UNIX operating system called ‘Minix’. Several requests for modifications and improvements for the operating system were being sent by Linus and other users to Andrew Tanenbaum, Minix’s creator, but he felt that they weren’t necessary. Therefore, Linus decided to create his own operating system; one that would take into account the users’ comments and suggestions for improvements.

A “kernel” is the focal point of any operating system. Without going into great detail, the kernel tells the CPU to do what you want the program or application that you’re using to do. An operating system would not exist without a kernel. However, a kernel is also useless without any programs or applications.

In 1991, two critical situations evolved that would serve as the starting point for Linux. A kernel was already created by Linus, but he had no programs to use; some programs were available from GNU and Richard Stallman, but they had no working kernel. So Linux was born by combining the programs from Richard and GNU in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with the kernel provided by Linus in Helsinki, Finland. It was a lot of ground to cover and far to travel, so the Internet became the primary method of getting Linus’ kernel together with the GNU programs. It can almost be said that Linux is an operating system that came to life on the Internet.

Not For Everybody at First

Other software companies will sell you software contained in a CD or a set of floppies, together with a brief instruction booklet, and in half an hour or probably even less, you could install a fully functional operating system on your computer. You only needed to know how to read and follow instructions in order to install it. This was what those companies had in mind when they developed their operating systems. However, when Linux was developed by Linus, this factor wasn’t initially considered. Later on, Red Hat and other likeminded companies made it their purpose to develop Linux to the point where it could be easily installed just like any other operating system in the market, by anyone who can follow simple instructions, and today we can definitely say that they have succeeded in this particular purpose.

Linux Today

Nowadays, there is a great deal of favorable reactions from computer users regarding Linux. The fact that Linux has proven to be impressively stable and versatile, especially as a network server, surely has played a big part in this popularity. Down-time is minor or insignificant when Linux is installed and used as a web server or in corporate networks. Many cases have been reported wherein Linux-powered servers have been functioning smoothly for even more than a year without needing to re-boot, and when it had to be taken down, it was only for a brief period for maintenance purposes. Its cost effectiveness has become to be one of its strongest selling points. Linux can be installed and run on either a home PC or a network server, without having to spend as much as it would be for other software packages. More reliability and less cost – it’s ideal.

When you’re thinking of buying a new computer system or upgrading your operating system you have to ensure you make the right choice. This is the most important factor of your computer as the operating system runs all of the other programs you have on your pc, so make sure it will be compatible with the software you want to use. You have four different operating systems to choose from which are Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and UNIX, they each have their advantages which will be described later on.

You need to think to yourself, “What do I need from my operating system?”, if you need it to run a business then you would want a secure stable operating system that can handle important details and have minimal faults and errors. If you’re buying one for your child then you would want it to be suitable for gaming and have the facilities to be able to do school/college work with ease. For completely new computer users you want it to be user friendly so you can operate and navigate with ease.

The most popular operating system in today’s market is Windows, this is mainly due to the fact that most software is only compatible with certain operating systems and the majority of products are compatible with Microsoft Windows. This means that if you were to have Windows as your operating system then you have more choice when it comes to software and peripherals.

No matter what you need your computer for you always need to have the best security available to avoid any conflict or leak of data. This plays a major factor when deciding your operating system and version, Mac has been known as the most secure as it can keep hackers out whereas Windows is said to be easily targeted. You can always upgrade your security with the necessary updates to keep hackers out so don’t just make your decision based on security.

Each operating system will have its advantages over the competition so you need to do thorough research in order to get the best, based on your needs. You can seek advice from the retailers who will be able to guide you in the right direction. Ask any friends and family in order to get reviews of how they found each operating system and you will be able to make an educated decision which is best for you.

Is your computer running very slow? Well, you are not the only one experiencing this problem – most computer users deal with it all the time. Like any other machine of human invention, your computer is prone to slowdowns and it will likely run slow as time passes by. Overtime, your computer gets exposed to several dangerous elements; there are external elements such as moisture, heat, and dust, and there are internal elements such as a variety of viruses, malware, and spyware and a disorganized, full registry, among many others. It is essential that these dangerous elements be detected right away to save your computer from crashes and further slowdowns.

Is your computer running very slow? If it is, you probably experience having to wait frustratingly while you click on a program or application and watch your screen for what seems like eternity before the dialog box finally opens. You probably experience suffering for long minutes that seem to stretch on and on as you wait for your command to execute properly. Waiting can be such a punishment, especially in the fast-paced society we live in nowadays. Before you fret, know that your computer’s speed problem can be taken care of and you can discover your computer problems today for free.

There are several classic reasons that can result in a computer running very slow. One of the most common ones is the existence of too many background programs that causes main programs to lose space in your computer’s main memory. If you see an icon in your computer’s system tray, you are seeing a representative of a background program that uses precious space in your memory. If you see icons that signify programs that you have not used in a while or are not planning to use ever again, it would be wise for you to remove these programs. Instead of deleting, which will only put them in the trash bin and still use up memory space, you should uninstall the programs properly. You can also choose the programs that you do not want to run during start up and configure them to fit your purpose.

The presence of viruses, malware, and spyware can greatly affect the performance of your computer. They can cause serious damage and result in a computer running very slow. To keep your computer protected and free from these harmful elements, download and install free yet reliable software for the detection and removal of viruses, malware, and spyware. It is a must that these three be destroyed; so use additional software if one is not enough.

Is your computer running very slow? After you have followed the free tips mentioned above, the only thing left for you to do is to perform maintenance work on your computer. Keep it in a dry, cool place. Use a soft cloth or plastic (or place in its bag, if it’s a laptop) to cover it from dust when not in use. Finally, do not eat while using the computer, lest ants and other insects smell food and raid your computer, leaving it damaged for good.

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Nowadays, computer support industry is booming like anything. As the statistic of computer enthusiasts is rising sharply, so is shooting up the demand in the industry for quality, economical computer support services.

A multitude of companies are dealing in tech support services and meeting the demands of high proliferation of computer enthusiasts. Besides computer repair, companies are also offering essential computer support that is needed by all computerized organizations, be them of any size or scale or at any location on the world map.

With Internet being a booming place for all tech savvies, these companies also strive to have a strong online presence. These resources generally offer a comprehensive array of computer support services for highly competitive rates. The existing cut throat competition in the industry has been further pushing the rates to be more competitive and services more specialized and proficient in nature than ever before.

Big computer makers like Apple, Microsoft, Dell, HP, IBM also run computer support services for their own manufactured models in more than one ways. These brands have their corresponding support centers across the international map. Their websites provide information on these support centers, user-friendly online help, FAQs, tips and tutorials.  But, these support services are often highly expensive and cannot be afforded by general computer users.

On the other hand, general computer support providers offer extensive computer support, including everything from computer set up/installation to troubleshooting,  backup and recovery, battery related problems, brand components, performance and maintenance of computer and its connected devices.

Online computer support resources have highly trained technicians and computer engineers, who can resolve almost any PC related problems and hence extend satisfactory PC support to you. The spectrum of computer support services also includes repair and maintenance.

These online vendors offer authentic support services to their customers. You can always check their websites and download these support utilities after registration. Furthermore, these resources offer high quality, affordable computer repair and home PC support. You can also ask your support technicians about tips and tweaks to make most of your computer.

Knoppix Ubuntu is an alternative to using Microsoft Windows.  Ubuntu is an operating system.  If you’re unable to use windows, you can use this software.  There are so many positive points with Ubuntu.  This is Linux program.  A lot more computer users are turning away from Windows over to Linux.   

Ubuntu can boot it right from the CD; it does not have to be installed.  If you don’t install it, you of course can not save any information.  It is also safe and secure.  The chances of your computer getting hit by a virus are very slim.  Most viruses are on the larger commercial operating systems.  Some of the application that comes with Ubuntu is word processing, email applications, web server software, and programming tools.  Office Productivity Suite is compatible with Microsoft Office, and also includes a full featured paint program.  You can also access the internet and search the web, use instant messaging with an integrated email and calendar.  Ubuntu also makes it easy to listen to music, watch videos, and upload photos from your iPod, camera or hard drive.  Ubuntu also has easy to configure printer drivers.

Now Ubuntu has so many great features, but the hard part may be getting around the system and getting used to this new operating system.  I truly know I love using Linux, but in the beginning it was not as easy.  I went to my library and looked up a book for Linux, and I was able to find a few books.  The problem is I am not a computer tech, I don’t understand what these books are talking about. I need something that can be understood by the regular person.  You know someone who does not understand computer lingo. So finally I did buy an eBook at http://linuxez.webs.com/index.htm, and would recommend this to anyone who is starting out with any of the Linux programs.    

Computer Desktop System Review — by Basia Diamonde

There are many features to choose from when you purchase a laptop, and it would be in the best interest of your bank account, as well as your frustration level, to choose wisely. To assist you in determining what you need and what you are willing to pay for, I will provide the following information. At first glance, you will see laptops that look almost exactly the same, yet have huge price differences. If you buy one “off the shelf,” you may end up with one that is more computer than you need at a much higher cost. If you are not computer “savvy,” a programmer or an information technology specialist (and, keeping it real, most of us are not), it can be overwhelming when you look at the specs for a computer and see this long list of giga bites, hard drives, processors, chips, CPUs, operating systems, etc.

Let me help you by breaking down the components of a laptop into simple, easy-to-understand parts. I will tell you the secret to finding the best quality and prices to meet your computer needs.

One little known secret about laptops is that they are all made in China by seven Chinese companies. The big retailers (Dell, Sony, Apple, HP, Toshiba) buy the components wholesale, put together “one size fits all” units, slap on their brand name logo, and jack up the price.

Only one Chinese company, Acer, sells laptops directly to consumers, but the quality of their laptops is quite low and I wouldn’t recommend it. This is one situation in which it is better to pay more for quality. Even if you buy a less expensive laptop, a computer is still a relatively significant purchase, and our goal here is to get you the best quality for the best price.

When retailers buy laptops they can sell “off the shelf,” they often have high end features that most computer users simply will not need. And for a dramatically lower price, you may want to start out with less and upgrade later if you find out that you need more. If you have a budget of up to $1,000, I will give you all the information you need to select a laptop that you will love.

Computer technology is changing rapidly and cost is largely influenced by “Economy of Scale” or “price point,” which drives retail cost. The price of laptops and every other consumer product you own can be drastically affected by how many items are sold, and this marketing reality does not necessarily reflect the quality or even the complexity of an item.

For a CPU (central processing unit, the engine of your computer), it could cost $1 billion dollars to design a new chip and less than $10 to actually make it. If a manufacturer sells 20 million of these chips, the cost to the purchaser would be around $60 per chip. At 500 million, the cost would be reduced to $11 per chip.

This is one reason computer companies buy the components they can get a good price on in bulk, then make these “one size fits all” laptops that may have more CPU power than you will ever need. And too much processing speed at the cost of everything else will result in a slow computer.

Balance

A laptop system needs to a balance of these primary components:

* Operating System

* Central Processing Unit

* Hard Drive

* RAM

Once you have made these important decisions, then you can add on the optical drive, video card, speakers, camera and other features you may desire.

OS (Operating System)

You have a choice of four Operating Systems:

* Linux

* Mac OS X

* Windows Vista

* Windows XP

Your first big decision in purchasing a laptop will be which Operating System to choose. Let me just mention a word on the origins of PC versus Mac. The Windows PC was developed from a business application perspective. It started with the spreadsheet and because this became such an invaluable tool in the business world, a word processing application was written for the PC by a computer programmer in DOS, and software has evolved in this vein.

Do you remember when you would turn on your computer and the only display on the black screen was C:/? Oh, those were trying times, but PC software has evolved a lot since then. Nevertheless, because of its origins, most business application software is still written for the PC, with running it on an Apple Macintosh as an afterthought.

The Mac was designed as an educational tool, more interested in user friendly graphics and interactive tools, purposely developed to be more intuitive and helpful to the non-technical user. It is more compatible with videos, music and games. The business sectors tends to prefer Windows; the creative class tends to prefer Mac.

If you choose an Apple MacIntosh laptop, I would recommend Mac OS X Operating System. If you choose a Windows PC, I would recommend Windows Vista. I won’t go into the pros and cons for each system here, since much has been written on the subject and you can learn more on the internet if you so desire. 

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Almost every laptop comes with Vista Home Premium. To run Vista efficiently, you really need at least 2GB of RAM. If you really need XP, you will need to look for an older out-of-production laptop, which would have been sold at a much higher price to the seller, and will thus cost you more for fewer new features. However, if you gotta have it . . . you gotta have it.

Hard Drive

All the information on your computer, including program files, information files, photos, music, videos, etc. is stored on the hard drive for you to retrieve to your screen instantly by opening files in RAM. 250 GB hard drives are relatively new and 320 GB hard drives on laptops are pretty rare. The current standard hard drive is 160 GB.

Most business consumers use less than 40 GB of hard drive space, and every increment of larger hard drive can add $100-$200 dollars to the price of a laptop for just a little more capacity. It makes no sense to pay for more hard drive than you will probably ever use. If you don’t know for sure, I would start out smaller. It’s easy to add more storage capacity later by getting an external hard drive and much more cost effective than paying $100s more on the built-in components.

(RAM) Random Access Memory

For the computer novice, RAM is not to be confused with hard drive storage capacity. RAM is the amount of information that your laptop can have open on your screen at any given time, including minimized files and Internet Explorer windows. If you open too many windows and exceed your RAM capacity, the computer will lock up, and you will have to reboot to clear the memory. This could result in losing any unsaved information.

You don’t even need to grasp how processors work, just know that they are the speed at which your laptop operates. I would recommend a Turion processor unless I could get an Intel processor for the same price. Turion will typically cost at least $100 less for about the same speed.

Battery Life

If you are on the road with your laptop a lot and don’t have access to a power outlet, bear in mind that the processor will impact the length of battery life. Newer technology gets better all the time about scaling back when you don’t need full power, then jumping to life instantly when you do. The AMD Turion is the best AMD chip for this job, but Intel really dominates this concept with the Core 2 Duo and the entire Centrino line. If battery life is an important consideration for you, be willing to pay for it.

Optional Features & Add-Ons

Does size matter? It can definitely be an important feature in choosing a laptop. How heavy is it if you will be taking it with you everywhere? Will it fit into the available storage or work space if you will be traveling with it?

The cost for size is closely related to the “Economy of Scale” factor. Smaller, thinner parts cost more to make. Make it too small, and the resolution doesn’t hold up to be visible or you can’t see enough of the image or page on the screen and have to keep moving your mouse around. Because the computer market is so competitive, you can believe that manufacturers carefully weigh convenience vs. practicality.

Having considered all the “Economy of Scale” factors, laptop manufacturers seem to have settled on the 14.5 inch screen. And because they sell in huge numbers, they usually sell for the best price. If you go for a smaller screen, just know that you will be paying a premium for the same amount of computing power. Now and then a manufacturer will bet on a smaller size and produce gazillions. If you can get a super deal on a smaller one, grab one of these.

Cordless Optical Mouse

The first thing I would add to a laptop is a Microsoft Wireless Laser Optical Laptop Mouse. For under $25, they are a real bargain, and make it so much easier to navigate around the screen than the built-in mouse pad.

Cosmetic Features

You will most likely be able to choose a black or silver laptop cover or outer shell. Some laptops are now offering more vanity colors. Definitely choose your favorite color if you can get the important internal components all the same. Don’t sacrifice the quality of your hardware for fashionable chartreuse!

Video Card If you want to play high end games, upgrade to a high end video card. It could cost $100 or more, but you’ll need the extra capacity to watch DVDs or stream videos online.

Speakers You may also want to purchase good external speakers since the built in speakers will likely not be of suitable entertainment quality.

Changing Computer Technology

We are all very much aware that technology changes rapidly. We see new models of cars, trucks, boats, appliances, retail clothing, etc. rolled out every year, so we expect and even anticipate change. The rapidity with which computer technology changes is a whole ‘nother game.

Computer technology changes every two weeks. The reason it takes so long for this change to occur is that it takes approximately two weeks to complete a production run. By the time one production is completed, a better chip or CPU or something else has been developed or improved, and the “outdated” production that was cutting edge technology two weeks ago is never made again.

It takes another two weeks to ship a batch from China, so by the time the purchaser receives a shipment at its warehouse, it hopes to already have the entire shipment sold. Wal-Mart, Amazon, and retailers all over the US buy some at a previously agreed-upon price.

This is a very competitive business and the big companies are under a lot of pressure to order just the amount that they can pre-sell. If they miss their estimates and have computers left over, they will quickly unload them on the wholesalers at reduced prices while it is still state-of-the-art technology.

If another two weeks goes by, they are left with “outdated” computers they can’t sell, so they may have leftover units they pre-sold to Wal-Mart for $700 and will now sell them for $500 just to move them. This is an area in which you can get a great deal on a laptop.

The big computer companies can’t afford to go below “market value” because they have to keep the price of their brand name high. There are smaller reputable computer companies that specialize in this area of the market, however, and this is where you can get a premium quality laptop for a great price.

Remember that regardless of the “brandname” which is added to a unit once it reaches the reseller, the parts inside are all made by the same seven Chinese manufacturers and the quality is the same across the board, with the exception of Acer, which I have previously mentioned.

Desktop Computer Checklist

Operating System (OS)

Linus _____

Mac OS X _____

Windows Vista _____

Windows XP _____

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Turion _____

Intel _____

Hard Drive

160 GB _____

250 GB _____

320 GB _____

Random Access Memory (RAM)

1 GB _____

2 GB _____

Battery Upgrade

YES _____

NO _____

Screen Size

15.4 inch _____

17 inch _____

Other _____

Cordless Optical Mouse

YES _____

NO _____

Cosmetic Features

Color ________________

Other ________________

Video Card Upgrade

YES _____

NO _____

External Speakers

YES _____

NO _____

So, armed with this information, make your checklist and go shopping.
 
I found a great website to order from that makes it easy by walking you through every step and has free shipping, too!
Computer Genius USA

If you are like most people, you think
computer service is for people that have something wrong with their computers, not for a computer that is running. Computer maintenance really falls into a few different modes which Ill make an attempt to define.

Denial Mode : Problems? I don’t have any problems.

Most computer users / owners only fix a problem after it becomes a crisis for them. That is to say, your computer might be running as loud as a truck for 6 months but it only gets attention after it decides not to turn on one day. The problem that needed “fixing” has been there for 6 months and could have been eliminated in under an hour for about $50, but now, it will take more time and more money. There used to be a car repair commercial that had a tagline ” You can pay me know, or you can pay me later” and to a certain extent is true when it comes to computer repair. There are many things computers do or dont do that should alert us as users that there may be a problem than can be easily addressed now but if you wait long enough will be catastrophic tomorrow. Have you ever had a hard drive crash on you? It is one of these “OH NO” experiences because most people aren’t prepared for the options they have. When was the last backup done? Ever? Do you have the Operating System Disks that came with the computer? How many songs were there? Do you even remember how many programs you had installed and operating?

There are companies, local and national, that offer data recovery services for failed harddrives but make sure your checking account has a high balance because these places charge thousands of dollars to recover your digital pictures and music files.

Complacency Mode : I know its broken, but I dont have the time to fix it.
Really, not a lot of difference between this user and the denial user. The result will be the same ( See Panic ) The complacent user is aware that they have a problem, but believes that they just dont have the time to deal with it. The problem will fester this way until the user is forced to deal with it by graduating to the next category ..Panic Mode

Panic Mode : Ohmygod Ohmygod Ohmygod Ohmygod
This is a full failure due to a hardware problem or sometimes a software problem. It usually means that the user will have to deal with loss of use ( crippling for business users ) or loss of data ( devastating for business users ) or a combination of both. While it is possible to recover from either of these positions, it will be costly. Independent statistics claim up to 90% of businesses that lose data caused by a disruption or disaster are forced to close down within two years.

These computer problems can be avoided with preventative maintenance. The term Computer maintenance has all too often been mis applied by users as being the result of what happens when your computer “breaks” or fails. Computer Maintenance is really about taking steps to make sure you never get to “Panic” mode. It doesnt have to be expensive. Companies like ePRO, LLC can make arrangements with you to come to your home or office and physically clean your computer once per year by vacuuming the dust and debris than can choke off the air supply to the internal components of your computer. Companies like
ePRO, LLC can also arrange to remotely monitor the condition of your computer and offer plans to “peek” at your computers health status once a month. Computer Maintenance plans come is a wide range of options that can be a s simple as a site visit once per year to make sure everything is running properly, to all encompassing monthly remote monitoring.

Even though computer maintenance options plans might add a few dollars to the operating costs of your computer, it is far less expensive to proactively maintain your computer than the type of reactive repair costs you will need to deal with in the event of a catastrophic failure. Call a computer service company like ePRO, LLC today