February 22, 2012

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How Linux Came To Be

Tux, the Linux penguin 

Image via Wikipedia

Linux is a very popular operating system. Many computer users take advantage of it because it is very user friendly and cost effective. It is most popular with programmers and its development is ongoing and interactive.

The Linux operating system initially began development in 1991 when Linus Torvalds wanted to create a new computer system. He devised it as a way for himself to use it with UNIX, the servers used at the University of Helsinki where he was studying computer science. Linux is what is known as a kernel, which is a central component of an operating system. The name Linus is a combination of Linus and UNIX. The program originally had the name Freax, which was a combination of free and UNIX.

After its creation, Linus made the program available for free download via the newsgroup Usenet. Linus has been quoted as saying that if other free programs were available at the time then he probably would not have created his own. He is referring to the GNU project in particular which was another free software system in development and was not released until 1992. Ironically, in order to be completed in 1992, the GNU system required a kernel which was subsequently supplied by Linux.

These days Linux is maintained by a community of freeware users, namely programmers, who help the continued development of Linux by providing feedback and suggestions. Linus Torvalds currently resides in the United States with his wife and three daughters. He is currently involved in the Linux Foundation, which is a merger of Open Source Development Labs and the Free Standards Group

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Applications, Operating Systems, Software Tagged With: , ,

Downsides of Using Linux

Linux is an operating system that comes with different variations and this fact makes it almost impossible for the average layman to learn how to operate it. Note that it is ranked among the open source operating systems. While there are certain benefits associated with it, the cons far outweigh these and it is largely due to this fact that Linux OS is not highly recommended. This is largely attributed to the fact that it does not have the features and capabilities of functioning well with some of the latest open source software currently available in the market.

FileZilla is ranked among the latest open source operating systems and Linux does not have the capabilities of operating ideally with it. Yet it is packed with several features that make it an ideal tool for anyone who wants to experience a different approach in the manner they use their system. File Zilla is known to provide a consistent feel that makes it easy to operate it on multiple systems. It works well with wxWidgets and while there are instances when it FileZilla comes with these features, there are other instances when they have to be bought separately.

It can be downloaded with ease from the internet and what is more, it is among the easiest open source systems to install. It is for all these reasons that it is considered important to evaluate these factors before deciding to use Linux with File Zilla. It is also important to state that Linux does not operate well with OpenOffice.org and for these reasons, it is deemed ideal to consider an alternative.

Filed Under: Applications, Software

Get Plugged into Plug-Ins

You know you hate that stupid little window that shows up just under the toolbar of your browser saying that you have to download [insert name] plug-in. And then you go, “what’s a plug-in?” No one knows what a plug-in is, right? And then you get frustrated because you have to wait however many minutes for the download; after that, you’re not sure what it was you needed or why. But whatever.

Be nice to the plug-ins, though. There’s a reason for them. They’re added necessities to web browsing. Think of them as pieces of jewelry you give to your girlfriend–or new ties for your boyfriend. You add them onto the wardrobe regimen. Plug-ins are like that. They make your browser more efficient–and quite frankly better looking. (not visually, just on the inside. You end up loving your browser more.)

For posterity, here are the plug-ins you need 99 percent of the time when browsing on the internet. Take notes.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

A healthy percentage of pages on the net are done in PDF format. Adobe reads it!

Java Virtual Machine

If you want the ability to run chat software or even certain online games, this plug-in is an absolute must.

Macromedia Flash Player

These days everyone loves to watch TV online. Don’t miss it without the M.F.P.

Macromedia Shockwave Player

The same goes for those who love to watch the heftier-memory intensive movies online.

Real Audio Player

Essential for listening to music online.

Apple Quicktime

This is the honest truth: you want primo viewing capacity and highest quality of video? You’ll need Quicktime.

Windows Media Player

And good ol’ Microsoft isn’t too shabby either on the video front.

Windows WinAmp

Downloaded music belongs to you; make sure you’re able to listen to it!

Pop-Up Killer

Annoying ads, be gone!

Anti Virus software

Ditto to annoying viruses.

Toolbar Extensions

They’re a guilty pleasure, but make life relatively easier online!

Winzip

Helps with downloading software.

Filed Under: Applications, Software Tagged With: , ,

Widgets for Your Linux System

Widgets make it easier for computer users to get the information that they need without spending a lot of time or CPU power opening independent internet browsers. Finding a widget engine that works well for you, therefore, can help you save time and energy, allowing you to work more efficiently. Plus, some widgets are just plain cool.

Widgets for Opera

There are several useful widgets for Opera. Internet security freaks will like the Stay Secure widget. It allows you to learn about the security strength of popular internet browsers such as IE and Firefox. If you are more interested in entertainment than security, then consider installing the Seesu widget. This small program allows you to search for music and listen directly from your desktop. You can also download small games to keep you occupied when you aren’t busy working on a project.

Google Widgets

Google has developed a plethora of widgets for Linux operating systems. You can download them in bundles or one at a time. Some popular Google widgets include the weather toolbar, calendar and clock. Of course, Google also includes widgets for its own web-based software. You can use them to keep an eye on your Gmail and Google Docs without opening a browser.

Jackfield Widgets

Some times you just can’t find the widget that you want for Linux, but you can find it for other operating systems. That’s where Jackfield comes in. Jackfield emulates other systems so that you can run widgets on your computer. Instead of feeling left out, you get to use all of the latest widgets designed for commercial use. Just download the Jackfield software and you can start running thousands of widgets that were designed for Windows and Apple operating systems. That way you get to use the best widgets designed for every operating system.

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Using Widgets and Plug-Ins

Widgets and plug-ins are excellent items that can be used on websites, blogs and pages so that your site gets more exposure and draws more people to it. They can range and vary so much that it is hard to focus on just one but a good example is a pop up advertisement you may see on a site. Those are there with a widget. Let’s say you want to display your local weather on your site because you run a hotel or RV camp. The weather that is displayed on the site is done with a plug-in or widget. These are typically third party items that can be used by anyone with a little HTML know how and a website or blog.

One thing to consider in choosing a widget or plug-in is what you are trying to show to your readers or clients. You don’t want to overwhelm your readers with a ton of widgets showing random things but you do want to utilize them to your advantage. Think about what you are trying to share and use that to decide what type of widget to use. Another good example is if you had a clock store. You may want a widget on your site that displays the time in every country. If you have a movie website you might like to show your customers a plug-in that displays different movie trailers or even the times that the movie will be showing; automatically updating as the times change.

Regardless of what kind of site you own, you can benefit from having a widget or plug-in as long as it helps your customers stay on your site a little longer. A customer that stays longer has more opportunity to purchase your product or service and if they are enjoying themselves then they are more apt to return.

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Kinect Hackers Hit the Mark

Score one for Microsoft, kids; except, really, Microsoft did nothing, nor should they receive any specific credit besides the initial creation of what is called the “Kinect,” the latest sensation for the Xbox 360. Who knew they created such a flexible piece of equipment? I don’t think they even knew.

Flexible, you ask? In a basic kilobyte-filled digital nutshell, hackers have discovered a way to reconfigure the Kinect to work with other operating systems—such as Linux and Mac OS X. The hardware no longer fits solely with Microsoft’s Xbox 360. Now gamers can use the Kinect with these other systems—and with ease, too.

DIY electronics kit maker Adafruit had announced the winner of the “Open Kinect Bounty.” The word “open” suggests its usability through other operating systems. The winner was a hacker based out of Spain named Hector Martin Cantero, known online as “marcan.” The best part was his process for making it work: “easy” was the word. It had only taken him a few hours to reconfigure the Kinect after its European release into the gaming public. Posting a YouTube video on how he did it with his Linux-based laptop stirred the whole gaming world into a frenzy, most notably Microsoft, and Adafruit awarded “marcan” $3,000 for winning the Open Kinect Bounty. Pretty sweet nibbles there.

Since then, other hackers have tried their tests on reconfiguration, using “marcan’s” theoretical and instructional process. The Mac OS X was the second operating system to work with the Kinect. And you know what’s funny? Very soon there will be a corporation that will also launch its own motion sensor technology hardware for PCs! The gaming field is getting gritty out there.

The question on everyone’s mind now, however, is simply this: how is Microsoft taking this new development? Are they ticked off? Or are they riding with it? We’ll wait to get to level 2 on this game; just stay sharp, and watch for those Halo bullets.

Filed Under: Applications, Operating Systems Tagged With: , ,

The Best Firefox Plug-ins

Screenshot from default mozilla plugin list.
Image via Wikipedia

Plug-ins are a necessary part of some programs. They let you do specific tasks on your computer, such as watching videos or viewing files saved in a certain format. There are a number of essential plug-ins that are offered for Firefox browser users who want to use the most essential functions.

Two of the most basic ones that you want to start with are Adobe Reader and Flash Player. Reader is essential for opening up various files that have been saved with a PDF format. Java is another basic plug-in that is essential, as it allows you to run any program on your computer that has been set up using Java.

When viewing videos, you can choose from two different plug-ins. A popular one is QuickTime, which is put out by Apple. This can handle not only video but also audio and various graphic files. Real Player and Windows Media Player from Microsoft both handle audio and streaming video. These are the main three that you can choose from for video and audio playing. It may be beneficial to download more than one so you can access files that are created in different formats.  And then there are also open source ones like xvid which uses the xvid codec to play all sorts of video files.

Shockwave is one of the other essential plug-ins that you want to have. Firefox provides a central site where you can find plug-ins for its system. You can download whatever plug-in you want onto your machine. You can also access additional plug-ins, depending on your operating system.

There are certain precautions you should take before installing plug-ins, especially with certain browsers. For example, Mozilla should be closed before you download the plug-ins. If not, current files could be written over during the installation of the plug-in. It is also important to check and see what browsers the plug-in is compatible with before downloading. This way, you can successfully get your plug-in and be up and running.

The right plug-ins can make your computer feel like a whole new machine.

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