LINUX MAGAZINESLINUX MAGAZINES: Open Source News, Articles and Reviews

There is a lot of market for open source and free software as it is appreciated in the main segment as well. These softwares have a large decrease in boundaries. For instance, software such as Linux, are shifting from basic server use to desktops and laptops. Laptops of the ultra low variety were recently launched and were supported on Linux. But what are the essential fundamentals behind Open Software Development as such.

One must be cautious about the fact that Open Source is not the same as free source. Open Source Software is defined as one that can be distributed and used freely-without paying a license fee to a company. As I have spoken about this above, Linux is an operating system. So what are the functions that an open source Software allows you to perform? You can create documents and presentations, run web servers and databases, and even create graphics.

MS Office for instance, the open source solution for it is OpenOffice.org. Now, since it includes a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager and a drawing program it can work on an interface similar to MS Office. Hence its use an Open Source Development Software. What about databases? An pen Source database comparable to Oracle is MySQL. It is the world’s most popular open source database software with a consistent, and a fast performance. It is highly reliable and it is also easy to use. This is your complete solution to an Open Software Development solution for databases.

Web servers are another type of technology that uses Open source development. The world’s leading web server software uses all the fundamentals of Open Source Development. The Apache HTTPD server software supports over 65% of the world’s web servers. It is amazingly well adapted to function on various Operating Systems such as Windows, OS/2, unix and Linux. In non-software use, there are certain principles that have been adapted for many other forms of user generated content and technology that even may include open source hardware. Well, essentially in an open source development software many restrictions may also apply over the use, the requirements to share changes, and attribution to other authors of the work.

Android is an open-source Software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications to allow developers to develop Internet style applications on the phone. The development of the android takes place through the use of a software development kit provided by Google. Android is NOT Java technology even though it uses the Java programming language. It is based on the Linux OS and coded in a Java-like language.

The idea behind the platform is to combine technology companies with mobile companies to produce an open operating system that can be updated by any developer to improve the product for its users. Developers can use SDK kit to create applications that work with the android platform to gather other applications in addition to those included with the android operating system itself. The SDK includes an emulator that will help developers test their applications on the android operating system. The android operating system is also built under the phenomenon that each application is as good as the applications that are included.

Developers looking to create mobile experiences using the android operating system can do so using a standard Application Programming Interface (API) permitting them to use a series of procedure calls to control and access common elements within android. The API also permits items stored within the mobile environment, like contacts and appointments, to integrate with web services like online calendar and interaction services like email, groups etc.

Previous Surveys says that the mobile market is three times bigger than the Internet. Google purchased Android on July 2005. Currently LG, Sony Ericsson, HTC (HTC Magic–Latest Android Phone from HTC), ASUS, Samsung, Garmin, Huawei, Toshiba, & Motorola are creating gPhones – Phones that use Android software. There have been reports that a T-Mobile device and an HTC device might use the android operating system in the near future.

It will be interesting to watch which devices and carriers choose to support the android operating system. The deal that development is open to anyone who wish to use it, will also allow those with the need to create custom applications for a mobile device to do so, without requiring the purchase of special software and other items, which can sometimes be difficult to buy. Manufacturers like DELL, Sony Ericsson, LG, Huawei, Archos, Lenova and many others have also planned to release Android based Devices in the upcoming years. So there is a surprising fact prevailing around that the foot mark of Android may change the way mobile phones and other devices are used.

Author: Madeline Oscar
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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My Compaq Presario XP recently got infected with a particularly malicious virus. This is the second time that this PC had been infected. The first time I used the system restore disks and completely restored the PC to its original day one configuration. What a pain that was.

When I hooked the restored PC up to the Internet it seemed to take the best part of a week downloading and configuring updates. After the second infection I was unable to find the system restore disks which was almost a relief. I disconnected the computer and was even considering throwing it away.

I had heard about the free open source Linux operating system: Ubuntu, and so using another computer I Googled Ubuntu and went to their site.

I read the download and installation instructions on the page. It all seemed pretty straightforward so I went ahead and downloaded the latest version: Ubuntu 9.10 and then transferred the downloaded program to a CD-R as per the instructions.

My infected Compaq Presario would boot up to the desktop but none of the icons would load. I could access some of the programs using the control alt delete command but it gave stripped down versions of the programs with limited functionality.

I put the Ubuntu CD-R into my infected Compaq Presario’s CD drive and booted it as per the instructions on the Ubuntu website. The on-screen instructions asked if I wanted to have both operating systems on my machine or just Ubuntu. I decided to completely erase XP which of course was infected and replace it with Ubuntu. I clicked 100% Ubuntu. It warmed me one last time that windows XP would be completely erased from my computer. I click okay and the installation began.

The installation was pretty straightforward and it took just a few minutes before I had the fully functional Ubuntu operating system on my PC and within a very short space of time I had my PC up and running.

Ubuntu is different than Windows but has many of the same features and is pretty intuitive.

Ubuntu comes with a whole bundle of great preinstalled programs. The Open Office suite, which rivals Microsoft office. A web browser: Mozilla Firefox, which has most of the same controls as Explorer but in different places. It has a preinstalled games package with several popular card games: Blackjack, Solitaire etc. Ubuntu has it’s own media player for MP3s and videos etc which works very well.

Ubuntu also has a built-in software link where you can access approximately 2700 free Ubuntu programs.
My first impression of Ubuntu is that I like it, a lot. It seems very stable seems to be very user-friendly and easy-to-use.

The installation process for software and applications is slightly different from Windows, but not very difficult. I downloaded and easily installed Skype for Linux and made a few International phone calls. It worked just fine.

Ubuntu has a several advantages over Windows. One of the major advantages of Ubuntu is that it is almost immune from viruses. Ubuntu is free of charge. Ubuntu seems to take up far less room on the hard drive and because it is almost immune from viruses it does not require an antivirus program gobbling up resources. My PC now seems to run four times faster with Ubuntu than it did with Microsoft XP but admittedly when I installed Ubuntu it got rid of a lot of junk: old unused software, probably a few orphaned files and a lot of old e-mails.

Most popular Windows program seem to have an Ubuntu/Linux version or counterpart. Windows programs will not run on Ubuntu unless you install a program called wine to run them. I haven’t had the need to do this as of yet.

I have another Desktop PC running Vista. I bought a switch which allows me to use two computers with just one mouse, one keyboard and one monitor. This has worked out very well for me because now I don’t have Ubuntu instead of but as well as Microsoft Windows.

If you have just upgraded and have an old PC or laptop lying around then I strongly recommend before you get rid of your old machine that you install Ubuntu and give it a try. I think you will be very pleased and very impressed. I know I was.

Author: Carl Broady
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You need to learn how to use Linux. And the best way to get Linux training is to work with it and get real, practical Linux experience. There are lots of different ways to get Linux, and lots of different versions of Linux to choose from!

You can get a version of Linux, also known as a Linux distribution (or distro for short), on CD or DVD. You can also download a Linux ISO file and burn it to CD or DVD yourself.

Linux Tips: If you decide to download Linux as a Linux ISO file, keep in mind that these files are very large. Linux CD ISO files are about 700 MB and Linux DVD ISO files are about 4 GB (almost six times the size of a CD!). Therefore, only download Linux if you have high-speed Internet access.

Linux Tips: You can do an Internet search for “list of linux cds” or “list of linux dvds” and buy the Linux OS and have it delivered to you by mail very cheaply.

Some Linux distros are available as “installation” versions and some are available as “live” versions – and some are available as both!

An installation version of Linux may be on just a one CD / DVD or it may require more than one. However, a Linux live CD or a Linux live DVD version consists of just a single CD or DVD.

Linux Installation Versions

You boot a computer system with a Linux installation CD / DVD to run the Linux installation routine and install Linux on a system. This could be a system that doesn’t have an operating system on it – or it could be one that does have an operating system on it, such as the Windows operating system.

If you install Linux on Windows, you create a “dual boot” (Linux and Windows) system. Then after the Linux installation, you can either boot the system into Windows or boot it into Linux, but not both at the same time.

When you install Linux from CD or DVD onto a computer system, you run the Linux installation routine and do several steps to put the Linux OS and Linux software programs on the hard disk in a system permanently, although you can remove Linux later if you need to.

After you install Linux, you boot to Linux from the hard disk in the system. At this point, the Linux desktop appears and you can do a few simple steps to open a terminal emulation window. This allows you to go to the Linux command line so you can run Linux commands – the best way to learn how to use Linux.

Linux Live Versions

Linux live CDs or DVDs are used to run Linux “live”, for as long as the power is turned on.

To run a Linux live version, you set your system up to boot from the live CD or DVD. Then you start your system with the Linux live CD / DVD in your drive. No installation is required!

After you boot with a Linux live CD / DVD, the entire Linux OS (operating system) boots and runs automatically. At this point, you see a Linux desktop on the screen and you can run Linux software programs.

At the Linux desktop, you can also do the steps to open a terminal emulation window. This allows you to work at the Linux command line as the root user and run Linux commands. And learning to run Linux commands is the best way to learn how to use Linux and do Linux system administration.

Copyright 2007 Clyde Boom.

Author: Clyde E. Boom
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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1) Open Source Software
Open source software can be defined as software distributed under a licensing agreement which allows the source code (computer code) to be shared, viewed and modified by other users and organisations.

Cost
Open source software is free. This is a huge draw card, and if your in-house capabilities are such that you are able to implement, train and support at little cost to your organization it may be an attractive option. Having said that, open source software requires a certain level of technical expertise in order to manage content. It is therefore important to take into consideration the costs incurred once the software is obtained may be substantial unless the resources are already in place to manage it. Long term costs include the cost of implementation, innovation, the opportunity cost incurred battling with service/support issues, and the costs associated with investment in infrastructure due to a general inability to scale (assuming the organisation will grow and develop and will therefore have evolving requirements). Notably, open source software providers are increasingly charging for add- ons, additional services and integration. The total cost of ownership for open source software may roughly equal some closed source options as a result.

Service and Support
Service is one of the key issues regarding open source software. Open source software relies on its online community network to deliver support via forums and blogs. While there are massive, loyal and engaged online communities that users can turn to, time-poor consumers of today are familiar with the immediate service and support that enables issues to be resolved in a timely manner, and these communities cannot guarantee the high level of responsive service and support proprietary software can offer.

Innovation
Open source software enables innovation by providing users with the freedom and flexibility to adapt the software to suit, without restriction. However, innovation may or may not be passed on to all users of the software. It is a user’s prerogative whether they wish to share their innovation with any online communities, and users must be actively participating in these communities to become aware of such innovations. It has been debated whether customized changes to the original source code limit the future support and growth of the software, as these can potentially result in a limited ability to apply future updates, fixes or modules aimed at improving the software, leaving the user with a version that may have irresolvable issues. It is relevant to note that open source software providers generally struggle to attract large scale R&D.

Usability
Open source software has been highly criticized for its lack of usability, as generally, the technology is not reviewed by usability experts and does not cater to the vast majority of computer users. Open source software is generally developer-centric, and without system administration experience or the knowledge required to manipulate programming language, use of the software and ability to fix errors as they arise is often limited to those with technical expertise. Furthermore, open source software does not legally require documentation such as user manuals or guides, hindering the creation of such tools. When documentation is provided, it is often general, containing implicit jargon, inhibiting learning. Without adequate documentation users must rely on alternative means such as online communities, assuming they are capable of finding them and the problem is one others have encountered or are willing to help resolve.

Security
Open source software is often viewed as having security issues. New data from Forrester Research has shown that 58% of IT Executives and technology decision makers in large companies are concerned about the security of open source software. Open source software is not necessarily developed in a controlled environment. While big players often have a concentrated development team, oftentimes the software is being developed by individuals all over the world who may not work on the software for the duration of its developing lifetime.

This lack of continuity and common direction can lead to barriers to effective communication surrounding the software. Furthermore, open source software is not always peer reviewed or validated for use. While users are free to examine and verify source code, the level of expertise required means that it is entirely possible for a programmer to embed back door Trojans to capture private and confidential information without the user ever knowing. Adopting a reputable brand with a concentrated development team supported by a strong online community will reduce the potential risk.

2) Closed Source Software
Closed source software can be defined as proprietary software distributed under a licensing agreement to authorized users with private modification, copying and republishing restrictions.

Cost
The cost of proprietary software will vary from a few thousand to a few hundred thousand dollars, depending on the complexity of the system required. This cost is made up of a base fee for software, integration and services and annual licensing/support fees. This cost may be prohibitive for some; however what the user is paying for is a more customized product from a trusted brand that includes higher levels of security and functionality, continuous innovation, a greater ability to scale, ongoing training and support and a lower requirement for technical skills. In order to support these elements and maintain high availability websites, a mechanism must be in place to recoup the costs. As mentioned previously, increasingly open source software providers are also charging for add-ons, additional services, and integration, reducing the gap in cost between the two options.

Service and Support
If the internet is an important channel for an organisation, software is often a secondary concern, with service level and support structure requirements taking precedent in favour of maximising uptime and minimising downtime. Service is probably the greatest advantage of using proprietary software. Proprietary software providers offer ongoing support to users, a key selling point for users without technical expertise. If the user manual or guide is not enough, or if a user experiences a problem with the software, there is an immediate point of call to turn to for assistance. There is a certain reduction in the risk undertaken with proprietary software because users are working with companies that are viable, and people with intimate knowledge of the products and services being used should any questions arise. Because service is one of the main reasons users choose proprietary over open source software, many proprietary software providers compete on service, increasing the bargaining power of buyers and thereby increasing customer service levels among providers.

Innovation
Proprietary software providers do not allow users to view or alter the source code. While this may be viewed as a disadvantage to some, it ensures the security and reliability of the software. Furthermore, many proprietary software providers customize software for specific users to provide more flexibility while investing in R&D in order to regularly offer new products and upgrades. Moreover, proprietary software providers have online user communities that create value by sharing ideas, strategies and best practices through feedback mechanisms such as forums and surveys, which also foster innovation and allow the product to adapt with changing needs. This innovation comes fully tested, and is available to all users of the software.

It does not require investment in R&D or the technical understanding of source code, and assistance with implementation is generally part of the package. Because vendors must ensure their software does not become redundant, users also benefit from the type of targeted innovation undertaken- continuous investment in R&D rather than “innovation for innovation’s sake”, business focused rather than technology focused.

Usability
Proprietary software generally employs expert usability testing, and as the software is normally aimed at a more targeted audience, and therefore more tailored, usability is generally ranked quite high. In addition, detailed user manuals and guides are provided. This enables faster training and provides an immediate reference, allowing users to move along the learning curve more quickly. Supporting services include seminars, targeted training courses and extensive support to help maximise use of the software. It is also important to note that while many people see proprietary software as “closed”, today’s proprietary software offers a vast array of mechanisms for enhancement by third party systems and developers.

Security

Proprietary software is viewed as more secure because it is developed in a controlled environment by a concentrated team with a common direction. Moreover, the source code may be viewed and edited by this team alone, and is heavily audited, eliminating the risk of back door Trojans and reducing the risk of any bugs or issues with the software.

Author: Jefferson Daniel
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Superblock is the most significant component of a Linux volume that restrains critical information about files and folders in file systems as ext2, ext3 and more. It enables us to mount and access the file systems. Superblock corruption primarily occurs due to metadata structure damage, file system corruption, unexpected system shutdown, malicious software like virus and more. In most cases of superblock corruption, the volume becomes unmountable and the data becomes inaccessible. In such situations, you can restore the lost data using an updated backup. However, if you have not maintained any backup or it is not up-to-date, then you need to recover your data by using advanced Linux Data Recovery tools. Consider a practical scenario, when you attempt to boot your Linux system, you encounter the below error message: �??Wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/hda8, missing codepage or helper program, or other error. In some cases useful info is found in syslog – try dmesg | tail or so�?� After running dmesg tail, you encounter the below error message: �??Couldn’t mount because of unsupported optional features (2000200)�?� After the above error message appears, the system becomes unmountable and data stored on the hard drive volume becomes inaccessible. Additionally, you encounter the same error message each time you attempt to boot your system. Cause: The main reason behind occurrence of the above error message is superblock corruption. Resolution: To resolve the problem and access all inaccessible data, you need to follow these steps: 1. Boot your system by using an alternate block by running the below command: e2fsck -b 98304 /dev/hdb8 2. Once the file system gets restored to the point at which it can be mounted, you need to fix it by using this command: e2fsck -c /dev/hda8 -c parameter checks for the bad blocks However, if the above steps are not able to resolve the issue, you should consider reinstalling Linux. A clean Linux reinstall will erase all existing data from the selected volume. For complete recovery of lost data, you should use efficient Linux Data Recovery software. Such Linux Recovery tools incorporate effective scanning algorithms to recover all your lost data. These recovery tools provide highly graphical user interface that makes them easily understandable without prior technical knowledge. These tools recover data post situations like superblock corruption, group descriptor faults, inode table damage and more. Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is the foremost Linux Recovery tool. It supports recovery from Ext2, Ext3 and ReiserFS file system based Linux volumes. This Data Recovery Linux tool gets installed on Windows (Vista, XP, 2003 and 2000) and the affected Linux drive is connected as slave.

After weeks of anticipation from techies the world over, Google has unveiled to members of the press the Nexus One, its first consumer electronics device previously known as the Google Phone.� Set to compete with Apple’s iPhone and Research in Motion’s BlackBerry, the HTC-made Nexus One runs an updated tweak of the Google Android OS.

Apart from what are expected from smartphones developed post-iPhone-touchscreen display, 5-megapixel camera, and stereo Bluetooth for headphones-the Nexus One pulls off features that impress us.� The phone includes a Global Positioning System, two microphones (one for noise cancellation), and a speech dictation technology, which transcribes what you speak on the Nexus One as you compose e-mails, tweets, and Facebook status updates.

Reactions, however, were not as mind-blowing as Google might have expected.� “The Nexus One has attractive features, but many of them were already available on other phones that use Google’s Android operating system,” wrote Jessica Guynn of Los Angeles Times.

Michael Gartenberg, an analyst from Interpret research firm, says that the new phone provides a perception that not all Android phones are created equal.� “If I was a (Motorola Droid) customer who just bought the phone a month ago, I might not feel so good.”

The Nexus One is now available on Google’s online store for US$529 if you want it unlocked or $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.� Similar offers will be available from Verizon Wireless and United Kingdom’s Vodafone within this year.� It is also expected to be shipped in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Image source:� Google

Google and T-Mobile have teamed up to create a new breed of cell phone. The T-Mobile G1 Android is the world’s first Android Phone. An “android” is traditionally defined as a robot with human qualities. Perhaps the name “Android” was chosen because of the capabilities of this new phone. It’s known as the T-Mobile G1 Android, the Android Phone, the G1 Phone, or (more informally) the Google Phone. The G1 Android phone integrates fully with your Google accounts. Here are a few of the features and capabilities of this new cell phone:

• An Android phone allows you to browse the internet just as you would on a normal computer.
• The Android allows one to run several applications at the same time, on one phone. You can switch between applications, and you can also be notified when something new occurs on one of those applications.
• It allows you to chat and share photos on applications such as Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, etc.
• The Android phone allows you to copy URLs and share them with friends via a chat line, using a simple touch-screen interface.

The following Google applications can be accessed and used directly by the Android Phone:

• Google Maps
• YouTube
• Gmail
• Contacts
• Calendar
• IM (Instant Message)

All of these Google applications will be available to you with a single logon – and they will be automatically synchronized with the web. What that means is that any change you make in one of your Google accounts from your phone will also show up the next time you log on from any other computer. For example, when you are out and about with your phone and you meet a new contact, you might want to save their contact information. All you do is save it into your Google Contacts on your Android phone. That information will be available to you online, in your Gmail account, and in any other applicable Google account, accessible by any computer in the world. Any information you save on your phone in this way will appear on your computer as well – and vice-versa. If you lose or break your phone, your data will still be there waiting for you on your Google account, which you can access from anywhere in the world.

And there is no need to worry about your information being stolen, as its password-protected. Here is another example of the a use of a Google Android phone. Once you have a contact address saved into your Google account, you can easily find that location on a map – using Google Maps, of course. And what’s more, you can access street level events in any area where this is available. This makes it a breeze to get directions to a new location! Simply find your contact on a a map with a couple of clicks, and use a street-level view to find your way if needed! Another example of the use of the Android phone is the integration of the cell phone with your Google Calendar.

Any event you save on your Google Calendar will be available to you on your phone, wherever you are. So you can access your schedule easily, on the go and from anywhere, as long as you have your phone with you. No more schedule books! And you can probably say goodbye to those tiny notebooks and pads of paper you carry around to save your information. What’s more, once you save information on your Google Android phone, there’s no need to transfer it over after you get home. Its all there, safely stored on your Google account, for ready access whenever you need it.

Author: Anna Williams
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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More and more people are migrating to Ubuntu Linux on an unprecedented scale. However, most if not all, of these new users are people who have no prior knowledge of Linux whatsoever. The road to being a power Ubuntu Linux user can be summed up in five simple steps that every new user in whatever category will find easy and fun to implement. Using Ubuntu is more than just running an OS, it is about joining an ideological movement of freedom that in my view is symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in the US. Read on to become the next Mark Shuttleworth.

Step 1- Join the Ubuntu Forums.

The first thing you should do as a new user of Ubuntu is to join the Ubuntu Forums. It is a very helpful place where you can get to introduce yourself, make friends with newbies like you and more experienced geeks, ask any question you have about Ubuntu or Open Source in general, join any ongoing conversation and more. I also advice that you take time everyday to visit. Be an active participant. If you like, you can even subscribe to the feeds of the Forums. But whatever the case, please make it a note to join the Ubuntu Forums and you will be amazed at how much you get to learn for free..

Step 2- Get your own personal reference manuals.

It is highly recommended to get your own reference manuals about Ubuntu and Linux in general. Linux is more of a subject to be learned than something to just use. With Ubuntu Linux, you always have something to learn and it is very much worth the effort given the fact that Linux is poised to be the future of computing. You also improve your computing skills when you get to learn as much as you can about Linux. You will also be surprised at the kind of exhilaration that you experience when you successfully troubleshoot your own system the very frist time without the help of anybody. Two of my personal favorite reference manuals on Ubuntu Linux are Ubuntu 9.04 and Kubuntu 9.04, 4-disks DVD Set Includes Linux Training Library, “Introduction to Linux” video-DVD, also includes printed Quick Reference Card of Linux commands, 32-bit Set and Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: 1000+ Commands for Ubuntu and Debian Power Users. They are very powerful reference guides you must have at home or the office.

Step 3- Ask, ask, ask.

Whatever problem you might be facing in using Ubuntu Linux, be sure to know that someone out there has encountered that problem before and all you need to do to get it solved will be to ask. This brings us to the first step of joining the forums. You should also be using Google a lot. Just Google your question and get millions of suggested results in seconds. Do not shut your mouth when you have a problem and run back to Windows simply because you had a problem with Ubuntu Linux. You must ask to get help. To even get more specific suggestions on the forums, you should make it clear that you are a newbie. Most people are willing to help more newbies than others. Don’t let your Windows friends tease you with the age old phrase of ” that’s Linux for you” just because you did not ask. The solution to every single Ubuntu Linux problem is as simple as asking at the right place.

Step 4- Experiment with your system.

The only sure fire way to be a Linux geek is to practice, and what better practice is there than to experiment with your own system. Always have a backup of your system and experiment with other ways of using Ubuntu. Do not just settle for the default setup of your installation. Apply the skills and tips you learn in the above books as much as you can, read about other methods of getting things done and apply them. Read wide and apply more. Be sure to always backup your system though. Try using other utilities like Compiz and a host of others. Experiment with how to make your system unique and you will be surprised at how much you get to learn by doing.

Step 5- Help others out

This is the most important step of all the five. Ubuntu Linux users are a worldwide community of people that believe in “humanity to others” and as such, you should endeavor to help others out as much as you can. If all you know is how to run a LiveCD, share that knowledge with someone. Anytime you visit the Ubuntu Forums, be sure to seek out new users like you and share your little experience with them. Help as much as you can. Go out of your way to be very helpful to new users with every single bit of knowledge you have. Over ten million people are using and benefiting from a very powerful, reliable and secure OS because one man believed in giving back to others. The least you can also do is to share your experience with those in need. You will be amazed at the level of knowledge you gain sharing yours with others.

Practice these simple but powerful points and in no time you will be on your way to being a geek that others will look up to for help and support.

Author: Luqman Saeed
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You can install Linux from CD or DVD onto a new computer system. This will allow you to learn how to use Linux to get real, practical Linux training and experience. In this article, we’re talking about a new system that doesn’t already have an operating system (like Windows) on it.

You can download the Linux OS (operating system) as a Linux ISO file and burn it to CD or DVD yourself, or you can order Linux on CD or DVD and have it mailed to you.

Linux Tips: Linux ISO files are large. Only download Linux if you have high-speed Internet access. You can buy and have the Linux OS delivered by to you by mail very cheaply. Just do an Internet search for “list of linux cds” or “list of linux dvds”.

Linux Tips: Linux DVDs hold a lot more programs than CDs. Order a Linux DVD version and you will have more Linux software programs to choose from than on a CD version – and you will also need fewer Linux DVDs than CDs!

7 Steps to Install Linux on a New Computer System

1. Document Your Linux Installation Settings

During the Linux installation, you need to specify some system settings. These include: the Linux software programs and desktop(s) you want installed, networking settings, and disk partition sizes.

2. Boot with the Linux CD or DVD and Start the Linux Installation Routine

Do the steps to set up your system to boot from its CD or DVD drive.

Shut down your system and boot it with the first Linux CD / DVD in the drive and start the Linux installation routine.

3. Specify Your Linux Installation Settings

Follow the on-screen prompts and put in the installation settings you documented in Step 1.

4. Create a Regular (“Non-root”) User

You log in to work on a Linux system as a Linux “user”, with a user name and password. You can log in as the “root” user, or as a “non-root” user.

You log in and work on the Linux OS as the root user when you need to do Linux system administration tasks. For example, you work as the root user to run a Linux command to create a new Linux user, or to do the steps to install a Linux server.

When you install Linux, the root user is always created automatically for doing Linux system administration tasks. However, for security reasons, you should never log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.

At some point during the installation routine, you will be asked if you want to create one or more “regular” (non-root)
Linux users. Always create at least one regular Linux user and log in as this user to do day-to-day tasks.

5. Let the Linux OS Install on Your Hard Disk

After you specify the Linux installation settings and create one or more new Linux users, the installation routine will copy the Linux OS and Linux software programs onto the hard disk in the system, and then reboot.

6. Log In to Test the System

Once the system reboots, log in as a “regular” (non-root) Linux user to test that you can do work as this user. At this point, the Linux desktop appears and you can run Linux programs to test the system.

Linux Tips: Remember not to log in to a Linux desktop as the root user.

Test the root user by logging in as a regular Linux user and opening a terminal emulation window. Then run the su command to log in and work as the root user.

7. Have fun!

The Linux OS is an amazing and extremely reliable system. And there are thousands of Linux software programs for all kinds of uses.

By installing and running Linux you can get lots of great practical Linux training experience while working with Linux. You can work at a Linux desktop and run commonly used Linux software programs. You can also work at the Linux command line and learn how to use Linux commands – the way the real pros do Linux system administration.

Copyright 2007 Clyde Boom.

Author: Clyde E. Boom
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Within the current zeitgeist, the phrase “open source” correlates to the “current virtue.” After all, what’s more virtuous than “free”1? Developers love it (okay not all of them) and, in fact, they are more likely to drop down and drool at the idea of open source programming than anyone else. The question however is how do their business-oriented counterparts respond to open source solutions? It’s an important question, especially in terms of web document management technology enablers, which are absolutely essential for high-stakes businesses such as medical, legal or research enterprises. Another question presents the premise of this article:

Should our business invest in open source web document management or should we purchase a commercial model?

Benefits of Open Source Web Document Management

The benefits2 of using open source software are many and include the following:

• Easy access to the open source software developer
• Easy access to software forums
• You can change the source code to fix or ameliorate problems
• Generally affords a reputation or reliability
• Provides open knowledge

Drawbacks of Open Source Web Document Management

Open source web document management–despite its benefits–presents plenty of drawbacks3 and probably isn’t the right choice for a variety of industries—especially highly regulated ones. Drawbacks of open source web document management software include the following:

• “Pain-in-the-Neck” Communities – Many open source projects lend themselves to natural forums and open communication. That’s obviously a positive factor but when that forum becomes replete with software geeks who aren’t exactly welcoming to the “normal guy” (i.e., the guy who just wants to figure out a feature and move on with life) then things start to become a bit aggravating.
• Bugs Don’t Get Fixed – Sometimes open source projects are so “cool” and so “exciting” that old bugs are just overlooked. In a commercial enterprise this isn’t as likely to occur.
• Older Version – Because of the bugs that don’t get fixed and open source developers who are so excited to move to the latest and greatest code, some open source users get stuck with old software versions that really are not supported—at least not in the more effective sense of “commercial support.” For companies that are highly regulated and need to depend on a purchased web document management software solution for year after year without an upgrade it might not be the wisest decision to utilize open source web document management software.
• Slow speeds – It isn’t always the case but open source web document management software can be quite a bit slower than it’s commercial sister. This can be extremely deleterious especially for companies that need to collaborate on documentation or simply approve vast quantities of documentation that can’t afford to sit for another 15 seconds, 15 minutes, 15 hours, etc.
• “Less-than-worthy” hardware support – Hardware can be half of the web document management equation. Why risk frustration with an open source solution that simply isn’t going to make that connection?
• Open to Hackers – Yes. Open source solutions are open to developers (dare we call them ethical?) but open source solutions are also open to hackers. The potential resulting scenarios are frightening.

Conclusion

For highly regulated companies and for those companies interested in web document management software it remains to be seen whether open source software solutions will become the driving force of new economic models. However, for the time being it seems that commercial models are still the safest and most effective models available—at least for highly regulated enterprises.

Notes and References

1. Not all open source projects are noncommercial of course.

2-3. The benefits and drawbacks of open source software in this article have been paraphrased from the following online article: Open Source Pros and Cons. neilgunton.com/doc/open_source_pros_cons. Extracted on February 27, 2009.

Author: Marci L. Crane
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable pressure cooker

Android Phones

The new Android phones are phones that operate on the Linux Kernal mobile operating System. It was developed by Android Inc, and later purchased by Google. This system enables developers to write managed codes in the java language and control the device with Google developed Java libraries.

The Android Phones are the phones of the future because they combine the ultimate advances in mobile phones, video, cameras, PC’s and Navigation systems with multiple applications. The Phase development of the Android Phones started with the first model that had bugs and poor documentation, this was first introduced with the Sake Game-Android Development Phone. Next came the Android SDK it had a debugger, libraries, documentation, and tutorials. The final droid was the Android OS-Donut which added supports like voice search, priced applications and Gmail freeze fixes.

The Android OS system is important in this new system because it allows third party developers to create their own screen widgets. This allows for more applications and more opportunities for the manufacturer. The new Android Phones are being made by Google, Motorola, and HTC, LG, Dell and others breaking into the Smartphone market. The technology that it promises is ground breaking. The Android system acts like a robot, the user tells it what to do and it does it with supposed lightening speed.

The new Android Phones are basically bringing the desktop to the mobile phones. It allows for emailing, instant messaging, and web browsing all at the same time. It can run applications in the background while the user goes to a social network site. It also allows the user to listen to music and write an email at the same time, while talking on the phone. The possibilities are endless; the Android system allows several applications to run at the same time, just as a computer with windows does.

There are thousand of applications available for the Android phones and more are becoming available everyday. With the apps and the ability to multitask without having to shut down one act to do another is the new age of the mobile phones thanks to Goggles Android system. The new Android 2.0 is the latest in the line of Android systems to hit the market. The capabilities and promises are coming true very quickly as 2.0.1 stands ready for release.

Many people enjoy using the Android Phones already and sales have been phenomenal. Everyone wants a system that acts like a PC but is really a phone with all of the capabilities. The technology has just begun and there is more to come.

Author: William Grant
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Smart cooker

The detailed features of HTC Hero white are given below: Camera: There is a huge 5 MP camera on the gadget which also has VGA support and auto focus. But the device lacks dual led flash which is so common in almost all large camera phones. With the help of this device, users can capture photoshots or videos with resolution 352 * 288 pixels. The video capturing rate of this device is 15 fps. Screen: the gadget has 3.2 inches TFT screen, which is touch sensitive. Users can enjoy the pictures or videos with the HVGA resolution of 320* 480 pixels on the screen. It also features accelerometer sensor and trackball. Connectivity: People can browse internet on the HTML browser of the handset. The internet connectivity technologies available on the widget are GPRS, HSDPA, HSCSD and Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth v2.0 allows the users to transfer the files & folders from the phone to computer. The handset also have an extra mini USB socket. Therefore, data transfer is also possible with the USB data cable. Multimedia: The people will get lot of entertainment applications on the widget.. HTC Hero white has video & audio players. The users can use either application for listening their favourite songs or viewing the video clips on the speaker phone or earphone of the gadget. The earphone can be inserted in the 3.5 mm. Jack pin socket of the widget. Mobile version of window media player 9 is perhaps the important inclusion in the gadget. The audio recorder allows the individuals to record their own personal voice or voice of their family members on the gadget. But the people will be little bit disappointed as the widget do not carry FM radio. Memory: HTC Hero white has overall memory space of 512 MB ROM & 288 MB RAM. With micro Sd memory card people will find large memory space of maximum 16 GB on the widget. Therefore, people will freely download & copy the files from internet or computer on the widget with its enhanced memory size. Miscellaneous: The widget has 528 MHz processor and Android 1.5 operating system to bolster the processing speed of the various applications which the handset entails. The people will love to trace out their venues likes banquet hall, hotel, restaurant with the help of GPS navigator, which also has A-GPS support. The other features of the handset are Li-ion 1350 mAh battery, Email, text messaging, multimedia messaging, ringtones etc. The document viewer allows the individuals to see the various files saved in PPT, Doc, Xls and Pdf formats. HTC Hero white can work on 2G as well as 3G networks. The handset has total weight of 135 grams. The phonebook of the widget can store upto 1000 contacts. The call records can store as many as 30 missed calls and equal numbers of dialled and received calls. The calculator of the gadget can be used for performing simple calculations.

China Manufacturer Specification

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