January 06 2011

Era of Open Source Softwares-linux

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Of all the open source operating systems, LINUX heralded an era of freedom from licensed softwares and signalled the end of the road for monopoly softwares from the giant Microsoft. With the arrival of LINUX and its many versions, users got themselves liberated from the shackles of Windows operating systems and soon found that they could edit and tinker with LINUX to generate new versions of the famous OS. Linux has gained an unexpectedly large amount of interest in the home market over the past two years. This could be due to any number of reasons including, it’s both free and open source, almost all applications are free and open source, the stability is unsurpassed, the code is constantly revised, updated and added to by a numerous amount of programmers across the world. Linux is undisputable a giant in the OS world, with just the name Linux being a symbol of stability and security. With the interest in Linux growing, many new distributions have surfaced offering easy installation and configuration. Well-established distributions such as Redhat are also striving to meet the same goals.

Linux is an operating system and therefore is the basic set of programs and utilities that make the computer run. Some other common operating systems are Unix (and its variants BSD, AIX, Solaris, HPUX, and others); DOS; Microsoft Windows; Amiga; and Mac OS.Linux is Free Software. In a nutshell, software that is free in the sense that Linux is distributed along with its source code so that anyone who receives it is free to make changes and redistribute it. Users are free to make copies of Linux and give them to friends, it’s also fine to tweak a few lines of the source code.The only catch is that the user who modifies it has to necessarily make available the source code to all users. Linux is not owned by anyone. One misconception many first-time Linux.com readers have is that this site, Linux.com, is similar to Microsoft.com, which is owned and controlled by the company that produces the Windows operating system. No one company or individual “owns” Linux, which was developed, and is still being improved, by thousands of corporate-supported and volunteer programmers all over the world.

Users are generally provided with Linux distribution that contains not only the basic Linux operating system, but also programs that enhance it in many ways. Anyone who wants to put together his or her own Linux distribution is free to do so, and we know of more than 200 different Linux distributions that fill special “niche” purposes. But we advise new users to stick with one of the five or six most popular general-purpose Linux distributions until they know a little about what Linux can and can’t do. You can get Linux from a number of online software repositories, including the official Web sites for each distribution. It helps to have a fast connection and a CD burner so you can quickly download an .ISO image of the distribution and burn it onto a CD. You then can load the bootable installation programs that lead you, step by step, through the process of getting Linux on your computer.

The more popular distributions are available in many computer stores and directly from each distribution’s publisher. The convenience of a distribution on CDs, including manuals, generally makes your first installation so much easier that it is well worth the money.

Linux boasts of some of the best free online support for its operating system.Take advantage of some free, expert technical support: the Linux Users Group, or LUG. The heartbeat of Linux support, and of Linux itself, is the LUG. There are LUGs in almost every country in the world, where you can get Linux advice and help from people who live near you, speak your language, and are willing to donate their time so that new users can learn about Linux without going through any more head-scratching than necessary.Each LUG operates independently and has its own style and meeting schedule. Note that if there is no LUG close enough for you to conveniently attend meetings, most LUGs maintain email lists you can join and use to get answers to any Linux questions you have.

The best-known corporate GNU/Linux distribution is REDHAT. Mandrake Linux
was the first Linux distribution that worked hard to make Linux easy for ordinary desktop users. Freely downloadable version available; commercial versions have pre-integrated sofware packages and are easier for first-timers to set up than the download edition. There are other distributions like Fedora, Debia, Knoppix,Suse, Slackware, MEPIS, Gentoo and so on.

PKP Iyer, Editor, Excellone Technologies ( http://www.excellone.com ) and Java Development India ( http://www.javadevelopmentindia.com ). Our company offer Technology solutions using Java such as SPRING, J2EE, J2ME for Software Application Development and IT Outsourcing services from our offshore software development centre in India.


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December 26 2010

Windows vs. Linux

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Both operating systems are fundamentally different in their design and operation. Linux is an open-source derivative of Unix. Windows is the most prominent proprietary operating system, while Linux is the most prominent operating system that is free software. Unix has a two-user model. There is the root user, everything is allowed, and all other users, whose rights are severely restricted. A user must perform actions that require extended rights, he may do so only if the rights of the user gets root. This is also still the case and leads to considerable difficulties in the implementation of computer security concepts.

The first non-MS-DOS-based Windows NT 3.1 was in the years 1988 to 1993 from Microsoft Windows NT got different security architecture than UNIX. Even Windows has a powerful user named SYSTEM. However, it is not possible to register under that name. All other users have different global rights. An administrator who attempts to access a file, for which he does not have the authorization, you, like any other user, an error message. However, he has the right to file on his property make. This can be done easily via the Windows Explorer. Then he can even assign permissions and the file to use as desired.

Windows must boot from a primary partition. Linux can boot from either a primary partition or a logical partition inside an extended partition. Windows must boot from the first hard disk. Linux can boot from any hard disk in the computer. Other users without administrator rights to self-directories can be assigned. If a user the right to “take ownership” for a directory including all subdirectories that time. That is not possible under Linux. Basically, Microsoft has in the development of Windows NT recognized that the superuser model of UNIX for modern distributed computing systems is to be kept simple.

By all the above discussion, we can conclude that Linux is far better than Windows operating system. Linux have better network and processing capabilities. For server user, home or desktop user, Linux is much cheaper as compared to Windows operating system. Microsoft allows a single copy of Windows to be used on only one computer but we can run Linux on any number of computers without any additional charges. Linux as having an extremely enhanced security and lesser chances of exploits as compared to Windows.

Alina Wilson is a technical and security specialist, associated with numerous tech firms including iYogi. iYogi is synergistic ally aligned to offer tech support, Microsoft support, computer repair, PC help services, computer support, online technical support, computer tech support to its clients in Australia, US, UK and Canada by Microsoft certified technician


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December 23 2010

Linux 101: A Newcomer?S Guide

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Are you wishing to try the new Linux 101 version at your desktop or for your organization? Well, it could be a tough task if you do not know what exactly to do. Especially if you have no knowledge of the Linux operating system and are planning to covert from Windows, it could be mind-boggling. However, if you are one of such people then here is a guide for you. Keep in mind that you will have to spend a good amount of money and effort to understand how Linux 101 works. Here is a step-by-step information guide that you will need to decide if this is the operating system for you, to choose a Linux distribution, to install and configure and to get the software applications for it.

The first thing you need to know is what an operating system is. Then, find out the difference between UNIX and Windows. Until and unless you know what UNIX is all about, you will not be able to use Linux in the best possible way. Linux belongs to the UNIX family only and that is why it is important to know about it.

Once you start reading about all this information, you will get to know that Linux is the ultimate UNIX. UNIX does not refer to any single operating system but it contains a number of flavors. Linux was written with the UNIX architecture by Linus Torvalds in 1943. Since that very day, it has created a revolution for UNIX. Some people consider it a better operating system; better even than the Microsoft Windows. It makes use of open source and free software that is really relished by its users.

After you have gathered enough information about Linux, you will have to choose a Linux distribution. Again there are hundreds of choices. If you think you are not educated enough to choose the right distribution for yourself then it is better to take consult. You can consult your friends or colleagues who are already using Linux to know about the Linux 101. Once you get hold of the operating system, you will have to pick some useful software applications. They are needed for both – business and fun. You can easily find the various options available on the Internet.

You can find out all the above mentioned information through the Internet but you will need personal attention from an expert to learn how to use Linux 101. Therefore, the best way to follow these steps is to start with finding a Linux guru. Find an expert who has thorough knowledge of Linux and make him/her to teach and help operate Linux 101. However, keep in mind that having a certification to understand Linux is not a necessity.

Summary: To understand and start using the Linux 101 operating system, one needs to start from the scratch. From understanding the concept of an operating system, Linux, Windows to the special features of Linux – only an expert can help. Nevertheless, getting informed about certain things through the Internet can help one achieve the target soon!

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Written By: infoXS


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December 01 2010

10 Steps To Convert A Windows User To Linux

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Recently, Linux is becoming more popular due to its ease of use and availability. People are switching from Microsoft Windows to Linux and making it as their operating system. However, if someone has been using Windows for many years then it could be a difficult task to make him/her switch to a new one. Here are 10 steps to help you convert a windows user to Linux.

First of all, select your mark. You will have to carefully choose the candidate for Linux conversion. The ideal candidate would be the one who has heard about it and is a tech-literate. He/she should also be willing to put in some time and effort to learn a new thing.

Secondly, introduce your target to the free software on Microsoft Windows. Most probably your mark will be working on at least Firefox, if not Google Chrome. Take Firefox as an example to explain how free software are written. Explain how Linux has been created by a community of developers and not by any giant corporation. You should explain the features and advantages of using this operating system over Windows.

Thirdly, show your Linux desktop to your mark. The Compiz-enabled desktop of Linux is very eye-catchy; the rotating cube and the windows minimized in a ball of fire. Your mark might get allured by it and may ask you questions like “How can I get it?” Your answer would lead him/her to use Linux as the primary operating system.

Fourth, give a Live CD to your mark. It is time to let them enjoy its features. If you don’t provide a CD, your mark might feel frustrated and get back to Windows. Let them become aware of the Linux desktop with this CD. They can play with it as a toy and yet help you achieve your goal.

Fifth, help your mark install this operating system. It is very important that you should be around during the initial setup. Help them understand that they can use the dual-booth while keeping their Windows partition intact.

Sixth, help him/her through the first boot. Make them find their own answers but be available.

Seventh, be available for a few days to sort out problems. Of course there will be issues and your presence will help them get to the solutions sooner.

Eighth, try to make the user self-sufficient. In the second week teach other ways of finding solutions associated with Linux. Ninth, taste success. Your mark probably would have started loving Linux and you can feel succeeded, if there is no complain and he/she is sticking to it.

Tenth, repeat the above steps. As you have succeeded in one case, you should try a second time – to convert a Windows user to Linux.

Summary: It could be a difficult task to convert a Microsoft Windows user to Linux, if one does not know the procedure. Following a well planned process might help in achieving the goal. One has to be patient. Right from picking up the right candidate to initiating him/her to a new operating system – one has to be very careful!

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Written By: infoXS

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October 27 2010

Choosing an Operating System

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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.

Andy Tao

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September 09 2010

What Is Linux Hosting?

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Linux hosting is an alternative to using Microsoft Windows-based technology for operating a website. Linux is an open-source operating system, which means the code that makes it run is publicly available. This means computer experts all over the world can share ways of improving how the system works. Although it is more complicated to understand than Windows, most computer experts say Linux is much more reliable and less likely to ‘crash’. This makes it particularly useful for running websites.

Linux hosting makes use of several technologies:

* PHP is a programming language which produces dynamic web pages. These are pages which can change in appearance and content in response to something the person viewing it does (such as filling in a form). PHP is a server-side language, meaning the program runs on the server (the computer that physically stores the website) rather than the computer being used to view the page.

* MySQL is a database system used for websites. It can be used for features such as a real estate company letting site visitors search for properties of a certain size and cost. It is used by popular sites such as Craigslist and LiveJournal.

* Python is a programming language which is well-regarded among many programmers. It is relatively sophisticated, but is easier to understand than many programming languages. Python often uses common English words where other languages simply use symbols. Python also gives programmers the ability to make a draft alteration to a program and check the effects immediately without having to make the change permanent.

* XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a more flexible method of organizing the information that makes up a website. With the old HTML system, each piece of information is labeled only for appearance (for example ‘bold’ or ‘italic’). With XML, any type of label can be used. For example, in a page containing a recipe, a piece of text could be labeled as ‘ingredient’ or ‘safety warning’. XML means that a website owner has much more control over the information on their site.

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August 28 2010

Top Ten Concepts for Linux Beginners – Number 2, Directories

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Linux people like to claim that directories are really just another type of file. This statement can be misleading. We saw in a previous article that you create a file using a file editor. We will see later in this article how to create a directory.

So just what is a Linux directory? A directory is a collection that may include one or more directories, one or more files, or in fact be empty. You may think of a directory as a computerized file folder or loose-leaf notebook that contains dividers (themselves directories) and pages (files.) Just like a notebook page may not contain a divider, a Linux file may not contain a directory.

Up to now our comments about Linux directories hold for Windows directories as well. Now let’s take a look at some differences between these two systems. First come the naming conventions. Linux always distinguishes between lower-case and upper-case characters in directory names. Microsoft Windows does not. For example, Linux treats pay12june and Pay12june are as two different directories, as different as the directories pay12june and heighho. These directory names were used as file names in the previous article. While Linux does have some reserved directory and file names, in general one cannot tell by the name whether it is a file name or a directory name. So be careful. Linux helps you out here ‘ the ls command that lists the contents of a given directory usually displays files and directories in different colors.

Directories are hierarchical. They resemble a tree or a family tree. But unlike a tree (or Microsoft Windows) Linux has only one root. The root, designated as / lies at the top, rather than at the bottom, of the hierarchy. Right underneath the root directory you will find several subdirectories. For example, the /home directory is a child of / the root directory. The number and names of the first-level subdirectories vary from one version of Linux to another. For example, some Linux distributions include a /root directory while others do not. The /root directory (or subdirectory, both terms are used) is a child of /, the actual root directory.

The /home directory is an important directory. It is divided into subdirectories, one for each user. We like to work with Damn Small Linux, a free version of Linux that runs on the Windows desktop and requires only 50 Megabytes of disk space. Damn Small Linux automatically creates a user called dsl whose home directory is /home/dsl ; a working area essentially reserved for this user. All Linux versions subdivide the /home directory into user subdirectories according to this simple naming convention.

Linux provides several commands to process directories. For example, the mkdir command creates a directory. The rmdir command removes a directory, but in the simplest case only when it is empty. The cd command changes the working directory, the directory in which you are positioned. The pwd (print working directory) command displays (not prints) the working directory. Beginners should run this command often to reduce errors. For example, if you, the dsl user, think that you are positioned in the /home/dsl directory but in fact are positioned in the / directory you won’t be able save your files with a simple command. Why? Because you lack the requisite permission, the subject of our next article.

Levi Reiss has written ten computer and Internet books either alone or with a co-author. The books are over, at least for the time being, replaced by a multitude of websites, including global wine, Italian wine, Italian travel, and health and nutritional aspects of wine (www.wineinyourdiet.com). He has taught various and sundry computer courses including Linux and Windows operating systems at an Ontario French-language community college for decades. His new website http://www.linux4windows.com teaches you how to download and run Damn Small Linux even on that outdated Windows computer which you have been meaning to throw out.

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