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: , ,

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.

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

Choosing Hardware for Linux

Linux is the hottest operating system out there. True, it may not be as wide spread as Windows, but Linux holds the major advantage of being free.

Before you jump into getting a computer and running Linux to your heart’s content, you may want to consider some important tips. Linux is fairly flexible on most computers. There are some hardware aspects to be aware of, though.

It’s best to get a MicroATX and have at least 250 watts when it comes to Case/Power supply. You also want the best processor you can afford. The recommended minimum would be a Pentium II which has 400 Mhz. Remember though, you don’t need so much processing power if you are using the computer for other purposes, such as a server rather than your primary computer source.

The motherboard is one of the most essential items to consider since it’s going to have great influence on your operating system. First of all, get one that has newer and better chipsets. It won’t do you any good to be running old, outdated chipsets. It is recommended that you check with the community and Kernel support for best feedback regarding Motherboards. Another resource is also manufacturers of hardware, although they may not have as much information regarding Linux. When it comes to RAM, the minimum needed is 128 Mb, but it is better to have a higher RAM, such as one with 192 Mb. Memory is an important component to the system, especially if you are going to use your computer as a server. Linux is not preferential in what type of RAM you use, but for a top performance consider RDRAM when using Intel for best results.

If you take some of these tips into consideration, you can build a great computer from the start that can run Linux to its optimum capacity. Don’t be afraid to try Linux on your existing computer, though. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much you like it.

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

What Are Widgets?

Tkinter demo: many widgets
Image via Wikipedia

Widgets are a convenient form of code re-use, and they make use of a range of programming languages from DHTML or flash (for web widgets) to Python for a desktop widget in Linux. They are bits of stand-alone software that do something extra and handy and are embedded after the fact into the existing code, typically in a web page or on a desktop. On a desktop they’re likely to do things like retrieve weather information for you from the web; on a web page, a widget could be anything from a game to an annoying advertisement.

Widgets can be very useful and very fun – but they have a downside as well. Like any code you install on your page, there’s always the chance that a widget could be malware, attempting to convince people to open their computers to adware or worse. Additionally, before installing widgets on your web page you should be aware that they can impact your site performance. They can also affect search engine optimization.

What widgets interest you will vary depending on what you’re trying to get done. Weather gathering and news feeds are a classic choice, especially for desktops. A lot of bloggers or small business sites will use a widget that tracks traffic to their page, one of the earliest forms of web widgets, enabling them to easily gather some demographic information. A Paypal widget enables sites to take donations; a Google translation widget can make the page more internationally accessible. Other people use widgets to connect their website to mainstream social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Buzz. Games are another very popular web widget, which makes sense since typically, web widgets are an attempt to engage site users to a higher degree. Another excellent choice for improving interactivity on some types of pages is a widget where site users can write reviews.

Filed Under: Software Tagged With: , ,

Windows Alternative is Better Than Ever

People who have had it with computers crashing and having to reboot before completing simple tasks finally have a true alternative to Windows. The Microsoft operating system, which has been forced on most PC users, is being replaced by a growing number of people with Linux.

One of the best reasons to take the leap to Linux is that it is an open source software, which means that the codes are shared with software developers all over the world. This has helped refine the program to the point where it truly represents the latest technology in the industry. Linux is used by Google and is the operating system in the world’s ten most powerful super computers.

While Linux has been around for years, the most recent upgrades have come in running desktop systems. For years, Linux was thought of primarily as a way to control computer servers but has now branched out to include PC’s, tablets, mobile phones and satellite receivers. Developers gravitate to Linux because computers operating on it seldom crash, eliminating the need to reboot.

Another reason that Linux is a great alternative to Windows is that the system is less susceptible to computer viruses. Writing a program that could do harm to a PC is very difficult with Linux because the user will end up damaging their own system. Linux also is more safe because all of the primary distributors of Linux based software offer free security updates online to address any threats as soon as they are detected.

If you are afraid to switch because you fear you will not be able to link up with PC’s running Windows, that concern has been addressed. There are software programs like Samba which make the interface very simple and programs to do the same if your network includes computers running Apple or Novell.

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