July 19 2010

The Top Ten Concepts for Linux Beginners – Number 8, Programming Language Support

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Damn Small Linux can be an ideal platform for supporting a wide range of programming languages. You can even program directly from the command line via a programming shell such as Bash. Major programming languages used in this environment include C, C++, and Java. If you are developing for the Internet you may want to use PHP, a web programming language and MySQL, a language for database system development. All these programming languages are also available in the Windows environment. So the question arises, why would you want to program under Linux rather than under Windows?

Many web developers and Internet service providers feel that Linux provides a more stable web site environment than does Windows. The most widely used web server, Apache, is available under both these operating systems but its new features, security enhancements, and bug fixes always are made available first on the Open Source (LAMP) version. And then they filter down to the Windows version. At the time of this writing the Windows version of Apache has problems with its cryptographic functions.

While programming languages are essentially the same across these two operating systems, their libraries are quite different. Basically, when you write complicated programs you want to make use of as much prewritten software as possible to reduce your programming and debugging effort. One example is handling the graphical user interface. As programmers often say, why reinvent the wheel? Linux provides a wider choice of libraries and graphical user interface toolkits.

When you program in Linux it is often fairly easy to port your programs to the Windows environment. Unfortunately, the inverse is rarely true. Of course as Linux systems become more popular, you will find more and more Windows-based programming systems that enable you to convert your programs to run under Linux. To do so makes clear economic sense.

Program conversion tools may be fairly difficult to develop. For example, executing programs must access the actual computer hardware. As you may imagine Linux and Windows programs access hardware quite differently. The modules that manage hardware access are called drivers. Linux drivers tend to be of higher quality than Windows drivers.

These two operating systems differ substantially in the way they manage programs during their execution. In other articles we discussed Linux’s increased security compared to Windows. We conclude this article by repeating a point that we have often made; you can run Damn Small Linux and its associated applications on very reduced hardware. You can do Linux, PHP, and MySQL development on old computers, ones that may have seemed ready for the garbage heap. In contrast many Windows competitors such as SQL Server Developer Edition require substantially more powerful computers, the kind of computers that people purchase for one or a few thousand dollars. When your programs will be used by dozens of people simultaneously, you will need powerful hardware. Don’t forget the operating system; can you guess which one we recommend? Our next subject is the graphical user interface.


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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July 16 2010

Online Computer Support: Live Tech Support at Your Convenience

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Also known as live tech support, online computer support services are highly user friendly, designed according to specific customer’s business as well as individual needs. Furthermore, they are highly reasonable. Emergence of IT, cost cutting, and process automation has given a push to a plethora of computer support resources in demand.

Both individual computer users and small home businesses have a lot of technical complexities because of lack of instant computer help. Customary methods of troubleshooting such computer issues based on consulting with computer technical manuals or discussing the case with friends or taking systems to local computer repair shops offer temporary solutions, but don’t educate the users.

Online computer repair resources offer first-class computer technical support services right over the phone or through the Internet or via remote desktop connection. They offer breakthrough tips and tweaks on computer installation, up-gradation, and maintenance of new software/hardware or operating systems, troubleshooting errors, and even optimize systems. Computer users can notice and follow a strategic repairing procedure of how to troubleshoot their own computer problems, while getting real-time advice in an interactive and friendly manner. Computer help technicians are highly trained to handle both simple as well as complex computer errors.

Technicians working with computer help resources take customers through a step-by-step approach for diagnosing software or hardware problems and fix them right away. Computer help users can avail proper technical help from computer support workers in interactive sessions.  The array of computer technical support services also includes manufacturer specific support services.  Online computer repair resources are proved to be extremely beneficial and reasonable for computer enthusiasts. Another advantage is their 24×7 availability. This eliminates a need for customers to take their tech product like to any local computer repair shop.

Another big advantage remains high quality services and an unexceptional expertise. Online computer help centers hire a highly trained staff to handle every kind of support queries to help consumers avail the best support! You can search for exclusive computer help resources by carrying out a simple search on the Internet. You keywords like computer help, computer support, and technical support to have refined search.

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