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The web server uses the operating system called the Linux. It is a lot more functional than some others. Linux operating systems and software is very reliable and well known. This software has been proven to be a good option to be reliable web hosting and running online applications.

There are a lot of advantages to using Linux web hosting such as reliability, price and security. There are some situations where Linux servers running for an entire year having no down time what so ever because of technical problems. Servers using other software have been known to need regular reboots and maintenance and still continue having issues. While their security is said to be better than others they usually come out with patches as security threats are found.

A benefit of Linux web hosting is that it costs less. You can find a number of versions, whatever the size of your budget. And since Linux is open source, there’s all sorts of Linux freeware accessible to webmasters and web hosting companies.

You will find that, with Linux web hosting, there can be a few disadvantages. For example, there are a number of applications it is not compatible with, as well as some coding conventions. However, if you can find a dedicated server hosting company that is really good at what they do, these problems can be avoided. Consoles that allow viewing of the Linux servers can be used. This problem is most widely experienced by programmers and not viewers. Still, the problem does exist.

The benefits are enough to negate any of the the above concerns. Along with price, free programs and scripts, there is also better control of your files and permissions. These servers are more reliable and the hosting fees are usually cheaper. There are easy to use control panels for administration. If a site is already created then the codes already used will affect which operating system that is chosen.

Typically the majority of web hosting companies will offer several plans and packages to pick from, such as Linux web hosting. You may wish to set aside the time in order to familiarize yourself with each selection provided in order to make the finest choice for your website or recent coding project.

Author: Karl Stadler
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Latest trends in mobile phone

Ubuntu comes pre-installed with a few Desktop themes. The default is referred to as “Human”, and is what defines the characteristic Ubuntu earth-tone colors. Some people love the default theme while others don’t like it at all. The most common complaint that I’ve heard is that it’s “too brown”. If you’d prefer to modify your theme, follow the steps below.

To switch your theme, you need to navigate to System > Preferences > Appearance

This will launch the GNOME Appearance utility, which will default to a list of installed themes. You can simply change your theme in on-the-fly by simply choosing a another theme from the list. The default installed themes are:

Clearlooks
Dark Room
Dust
Dust Sand
High Contrast Inverse
High Contrast Large Print Inverse
Human
Human-Clearlooks
New Wave

On a default installation of Ubuntu 9.10, you should have nine default themes installed to pick from.

You can quickly change your theme by choosing one of the listed themes within the window.

You can make other theme modifications, including Backgrounds, Fonts, Interface, and Visual Effects. Remember, if you decide to set the theme back , simply select “Human” from the list.

Original source: Linux Magazines

Ubuntu, a user-friendly version of Linux, has been running so nicely on my home PC that I decided to do an experiment. I wrote down a list of tasks I normally do with Windows XP and decided to see how many of them I could do on Linux.

Heres what my list looked like: 1) Write this column; 2) Browse the Web; 3) Get new software and install it; 4) Download files; 5) Play music and video files; 6) Burn CDs; and 7) Print my documents.

Of all these, the first was the easiest. Ubuntu comes with OpenOffice.org 2.0, an excellent personal productivity suite that works much like Microsoft Office, with its own word processor, spreadsheet, database and presentation programs. It reads and writes files in MS Word, RTF and a variety of other formats, so sharing your files with colleagues who use Windows or Mac PCs wont be a problem. Unlike earlier versions, too, the program seems to load and run much faster.

OpenOffice.org 2.0 seems to run much faster now. I open up XMMS to listen to some music while I work.

Browsing was just as easy. Ubuntu lets you take your pick from several Web browsers, including Firefox. I experienced some glitches initially with YouTube the videos were playing without sound but that worked itself out after I rebooted the system.

For Windows users, downloading and installing new software on Linux can be rather daunting. Wheres the .EXE file? What do you do with the downloaded file (called a package, in Linux)? What file do you run? Fortunately, Ubuntu takes care of most of these problems for you. A program called Synaptic Package Manager takes care of finding new programs and installing them for you. These are sorted by program types, but the sheer number may be overwhelming. When I ran Synaptic Package Manager, it happily reported that there were more than 18,808 programs available, only 1,221 of which I had installed.

Downloading music and videos? Check. My favorite BitTorrent client, uTorrent, isnt available on Linux but KTorrent, which works much the same way, already comes with Ubuntu. I put the program through its paces and found it held up quite nicely against my trusted file-sharing utility.

To play music and videos, Ubuntu comes with a number of multimedia players. For MP3 files, I like XMMS, which looks like WinAmp. Downloaded AVI files wont play properly on the default Movie Player, but installing VLC Media Player (using Synaptic) will take care of that.

Burning CDs proved to be trickier.

Ubuntu is smart enough to detect a blank CD when its inserted and will ask if youd like to burn a data or an audio CD. If you choose data, it will open a window into which you can drag files youd like burned. Burning a data CD in this manner is simplicity itself, but it might be a bit too simple. The program, Nautilus, doesnt even tell you how much disc space youre using.

If you choose to burn an audio CD, Ubuntu will start a program called Serpentine, which enables you to add audio files to an audio CD compilation. The puzzling thing is, Serpentine will not accept MP3 files by default! All is not lost, however. You need to install the LAME encoder for the Gstreamer package (gstreamer0.8-lame), again using Synaptic. Once youve done that, Serpentine will burn your MP3 files into an audio CD without a hitch.

Serpentine burns an audio CD.

Burning a VCD from AVI files is even trickier. In very broad strokes, youll need to install K3b, a CD burning program, and a package called VCDimager, and tell K3b where its located. Youll also need a command-line program called FFmpeg to convert AVI files to MPG, which is the format that K3b uses. Sounds complicated? It is, but its doable.

Finally, I wanted to print documents on my Epson Stylus C50 inkjet printer. Simple as it sounds, this last task almost stumped me. Even though Ubuntu detected my printer and said it was using the correct printer driver from a program called Gimp-print, my C50 kept spewing out garbled, unreadable text. Hours of online research about Gimp-print only confused me further with what seemed to be gobbledygook. Many sheets of wasted paper later, I remembered a snippet of information from a mailing list. It was written before the C50 driver was available and suggested that the driver for an earlier Epson model, the C44UX might work. I went to Ubuntus printer setup utility and told it to use that driver and voila!I was finally able to print. Frustration faded away and a sense of satisfaction set in. I had survived the weekend without Windows.

Author: Chin Wong
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty

Mobile phones of the present time have definitely evolved beyond just basic devices for calls or messages. Today, smart phones seem to be the next generation in terms of mobile communications. With tons of added features, including internet connectivity, multimedia enjoyment, and more, smart phones are must-haves for busy individuals. And with that, among the most well-known smart phone and PDA manufacturers in the world is none other than Palm, Inc. Starting out in 1992 in Sunnyvale California, Palm Computing, Inc. came up with its first PDA called the Zoomer. The company’s founder was Jeff Hawkins, who along with other designers intended to make PDAs more consumer-friendly. After acquisitions years later, Palm emerged as one of the authorities when it comes to PDAs and smart phones. At the start of the new year 2009, Palm intended to wow its fans by debuting its newest release the Palm Pre, aimed to beat the seemingly unbeatable Apple iPhone.What is the Palm Pre? This up and coming four ounce gadget has a 3.1 inch touch screen, and its slides up to reveal a QWERTY keypad. The operating system for the Palm Pre is the Linux based Palmweb OS, and this smart phone currently has CDMA, Bluetooth, and WiFi connectivity. Later on, Palm intends to release a 3G version. Apart from its generous 8 GB memory, the Palm Pre also has a 3 mega pixel digital camera equipped with LED flash. In terms of inner features of the Palm Pre, it surely does not disappoint. According to the product page at the Palm, Inc. website, the Palm Pre allows for multitasking, so you can open several windows and apps at the same time. Also, there is a universal search options, so your Palm Pre can help you look easily through your contacts, messages, Wikipedia, and even Google. To help you get things more organized, the Palm Pre can also connect your calendars and show them as one schedule, thanks to Palm Synergy technology. This includes calendars you set on your smart phone, your Facebook profile, and even Google calendars. In addition to those handy features, the Palm Pre also has integrated messaging, supports various audio, video, and image formats, as well as built-in Global Positioning System (GPS).In the United States, the Palm Pre is expected to be out in the market in the first half of 2009. Gathering several awards after its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Vegas, including Best in Smart Phones and Cell Phones, the Palm Pre will be exclusively distributed by the Sprint Nextel network in the US. As of the first quarter of 2009, Vodafone has expressed its interests by negotiation with Palm regarding the release of the Palm Pre in the United Kingdom. Before Brit mobile fanatics will know it, Vodafone will soon own the exclusive rights to sell the Pre to its subscribers in the UK for the first three months upon the model’s launch. According to a report by Softpedia, Vodafone also intends to distribute the Palm Pre exclusively among its clientele in Spain and Germany by the middle of 2009.

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There are many methods that are used to hack and mod iPods and in this article we will examine three popular methods: iPod Linux, Rockbox and iPod wizard. Each one requires some technical understanding to insure proper usage and installation. The reason for this is because during the installation process, serious problems may occur if it is not done with care. The iPod may be ruined, the data can be lost, and it might be difficult to recover the iPod.
Mods and hacks for iPods expand the usability of the device and give added customization. The MP3 playlist is not that complete, or if one is not satisfied with the way artists or the titles of the songs are organized. Sometimes the volume is too low or you wish to install a different icon or font. These are just a few of the potential complaints a person can list toward their iPod.
iPod Linux and Rockbox are operating systems which can work as another firmware for the iPod and are more powerful compared to other hacks which simply represent a modified version of the basic ones. This will mean that users will be given the ability to give their iPod a totally different look, thanks to a wider range of customization options, or by adding a new theme to the device. But this also allows for additional changes since possibilities arise for new text document creation, new games, new playlist organization, video playback, and so on.
Also these additional operating systems are constantly updated allowing for the latest version to be installed. However, using a new operating system to hack the iPod like iPod Linux for example means you must first be aware of the challenge it offers not so much in terms of its usage, but mainly for its installation since it replaces your iPod’s original firmware.
Using Rockbox as an operating system is not that dissimilar from the Linux one. Aiming at providing even more high quality updates and experiences, Rockbox may be considered one of the best operating systems which focus on improving audio performance by expanding audio format compatibility.
The increased audio format compatibility includes: FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AC3, WMA, MP3/2/1, WavPack, Speex, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, ACC, Musepack, and more. Other unique feature includes speaking menus support which allows one to navigate the iPod blindly, plug-in support and advance audio tuning. Rockbox does not remove the original firmware on your iPod instead it is loaded via a boot loader. This makes the risk of installation much lower compared to iPod Linux.
The iPod Wizard is more like a modification utility than a totally different firmware. Itss basically used to work on the quality of the images, changing text, adding icons and its installation is not that challenging. Since this support is only about images and text, others mods exist which only deal with audio, and their focus for example is shifted to increasing the maximum volume perceived in the headphones.
There are many other hacks and mods which can give you added features you never thought possible on an iPod. From transforming your iPod into a remote control to playing the classic 3D first person shooter DOOM, to even just modifying the way your iPod looks on the exterior. If you’re interested, explore the internet and discover the new abilities your iPod.

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Tips For Converting Windows User to Linux

A survey reveals that many businesses, governmental agencies, educational institutions and other big organizations are switching over to Linux. What could be the cause of converting Windows user to Linux? These organizations are also switching over to free software for their application programs from the traditional commercial software. Here are some of the plausible reasons for this conversion at such a fast pace.

The foremost reason could be that Linux is available under a free software license and that it is available free of cost. One can easily download it from the Internet and that too for free. Moreover, one can also buy at minimal cost in the form of a disk or box. Another good thing about this operating system is that you can use one copy on as many computers, without any limitation. On other hand Microsoft Windows comes at a good sum of money.

Secondly, Linux is built from open source and free software, which gives its user the freedom to modify it. Even the source can be modified in any way. This again is in contrast with Microsoft Windows that does not permit for the modification of the software. Many organizations prefer Linux because of the freedom given to modify the source code without revealing it to any outsider.

Thirdly, you can easily find high quality support for this operating system on the Internet – for free! Many newsgroups and other forums provide this help. And for commercial needs, you can purchase Linux support at reasonable rates. With this operating system you do not need patches to cope with security threats or to fix bugs

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Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system that is based on the Linux Kernel. Linus Torvalds is the official founder of this operating system; however, a lot has gone into its making. The records reveal that Windows dominates the personal computer market with 90 percent of the share, the server market with 66 percent of the share. Also, Linux is recorded to have powered 85 percent of the globe’s most powerful supercomputers, where the figure has reached just 1.4 percent for Windows. Here is a brief introduction to this mystic operating system called Linux.

The name of this operating has been derived from the Linux kernel, which Linus Torvalds wrote in 1991. The GNU operating systems, originated by Richard Stallman in 1983, is the basis of the rest of the system, comprising libraries and utilities. The GNU contribution also forms the basis for GNU/Linux that is the preferred name of the Free Software Foundation. Recently enough, because of the emergence of the netbooks and the Ubuntu distribution, Linux is being installed on both desktops and laptops. Otherwise, it is used for servers, computer hardware, embedded devices, mobile phones and supercomputers.

The basic design of the Linux operating system is derived mainly from the principles established in Unix, back in the 1970s and 1980s. It uses a monolithic kernel known as the Linux kernel that is responsible for handling control, file system access, peripheral and networking. Additional device drivers are incorporated with these kernels. The higher-lever functionalities of the system are catered by separate projects that interface with the kernel.

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Gadgets Mantra- All new gadgets, cool internet stuff and computer solutions -Computer

A Linux distribution is also known as the GNU/Linux distribution by some. It is basically a family member of the Unix-like software distributions and these distributions are called “distros”. Linux kernel lies as the basis of these distributions. They contain a number of software applications comprising database applications, media players, spreadsheets and word processors. The Linux operating system consists of the Linux kernel along with a set of utilities and libraries from the GNU and the X Window System for graphic support.

Some Linux distributions may be optimized for size and may not come with X. These use compact alternatives to the GNU utilities, which may include dietlibc, uclibc or busybox. At present, there are more than 300 Linux distributions and many of them are in the active mode. This means that these distributions are being constantly studied, and revised to be improved. The Linux distributions are available in different forms because most of the kernels and supporting packages used are combination of open source and free software. They may take the form of a fully featured desktop or server operating system or can also be used in minimal environments. This is the reason why they are widely used in embedded systems and for things like booting from a floppy disk.

Actually, leaving aside the custom software aspect, the word distribution here simply means a specific assortment of some applications that are installed on top of a set of libraries, along with a version of the kernel. This is created in such a manner that the “out-of-the-box” capabilities are met with most of the requirements of its specific end-user base.

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Honda has lately highly-developed fresh interface engineering that grants man thought to command the Asimo android merely by thinkings. The user interface is known as BMI (brain-machine int.) and was produced along with Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation. It comprises of a sensor-laden helmet that quantifies the user’s brainpower and a computing device that examines the thinking models and relays them as radio instructions to the android. Once the exploiter thinks of displacing his or her right, the pre-programmed Asimo answers numerous moments later by elevating its right limb. Similarly, Asimo elevates its left arm once the individual imagines locomoting their left, it commences to walk once the human thinks of locomoting their legs, and it bears its deal upwards before of its utter if the individual thinks of locomoting their tongue.The high-precision BMI engineering trusts upon 3 dissimilar cases of brainpower action measures:- EEG (electroencephalography) detectors evaluate the slim variations in electric potential on the scalp that happen while imagining- NIRS (near-infrared spectrometry) detectors evaluate alterations in intellectual blood flow- Fresh acquired data origin engineering is accustomed method the complex information by these 2 cases of detectors, leading inwards a more exact indication.BMI scheme bears an accuracy grade of more than 90%.Honda has been carrying on BMI inquiry and developing on ATR since 2005. It’s checking over the hypothesis of one day expending this case of user interface engineering with AI and robotics to produce devices that exploiters can engage without having to make a motion.read more on Daily Science and Technology

This past week Google

Linux

As I was sitting here, preparing to write this article, my mind wandered back to the day I accidentally wiped out a Windows installation with a Gutsy Gibbon CD. I thought I was in trouble. I had just knocked out my work documents, including various templates I made, along with scanner support, and my Adobe 8.0 suite.
It was at that moment I decided to make a go of it with Linux as my sole operating system. After nearly 2 years of tweaking, making mistakes, fixing those mistakes, and then making even more mistakes, I finally feel qualified to give you advice.
In light of this experience, I now present “11 Crucial Things An Ubuntu Newbie Should Know”.
Commands
1. ps -A: One of the reasons I hated Windows so much was the task manager. When a program would hang, you’d have to open task manager, tell it to kill the program, and wait 5 minutes for the system to kill the application, All the while, it would bog down the processor, hog memory, and be an overall nuisance. 50% of the time, you would have to restart the computer to get the process to clear.
Not so in Ubuntu/Linux. All you have to kill a program is open the terminal, and type “ps -A”. This will pull up a list of all the processes currently running, with the name of the program, along with a 4-5 digit number next to it. Then, type “kill -9 PN” (PN should be substituted with the actual Process Number), and hit enter. This will kill the app, no questions asked. It will not ask you any questions, or give you any excuses. That program is now dead, until the time you decide to resurrect it. This will not work with things like Apache, or other process daemons. If you’re not sure, just try to kill it. If it doesn’t die, then it is probably a daemon. You will have to find the actual documentation to stop the daemon.
Bonus tip: In Ubuntu (Gutsy and later), the command to stop Apache is: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 stop To restart: sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 start
2. gksudo nautilus: Nautilus is the GUI-based file browser for Gnome, which is the default window manager for Ubuntu. If you are not used to the command line, this command will save you hours when it comes to file operations. Well, it will only save you hours for things that have to be done as root. Things like special system configuration, and other things where you need upgraded privileges will be much faster when you use this command.
Just open the terminal, type “gksudo nautilus”, enter your password, and magically you can do anything you want. For faster access, right click the Desktop, select “create launcher”, enter “gksudo nautilus” as the command. You can now click the shortcut on your Desktop, rather than opening the terminal and entering a command each time you need access to Nautilus.
3. dmesg: If you have managed to really mess something up, or are having trouble getting things to work, you may need someone with greater experience to take a look. Typing “dmesg” in your terminal window will call up all the messages from your system kernel. Copy and paste this into a text document, attach it to an email, and let a true expert get a look at what is going on with your hardware.
Upgrades:
4. Ubuntu’s package manager, Synaptic, is a GUI front-end for Aptitude. What you don’t know is that Synaptic is set to run in what could be called “safe-mode”. It will not go get the latest and greatest versions of the software you are running. It will get the last (often 6 months older) version of the software you want to run. You can upgrades faster by enabling optional software repositories.
To do this, open Synaptic (System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager), then select Settings > Repositories. Once you are in the repositories window, select the “Updates” tab. The Ubuntu “security” and “recommended updates” repository have already been selected. To get the newer stuff, you need to check “backports” and “proposed” software. Apply, and reload. This should get most of your software up to date, along with the kernel.
5. The kernel: While having the latest and greatest stable kernel can improve system performance, it can also break little fixes you have made along the way. An example: I had gone through the painstaking process of editing some configuration files to get my webcam to work. The last kernel update overwrote the changes I had made, and in the process, disabled my webcam. This can get irritating, but eventually a kernel release might fix an issue on its own, so I guess it is an ok, if not completely lossless tradeoff.
6. Upgrading to the newest version of Ubuntu: Don’t do it right away. Always give a new version at least two months in regular use before you decide to upgrade. I have tried to upgrade for 3 releases now, in the first two weeks of availability for the upgrade. Each time, there has been a major failure, mostly in the area of graphics and sound. If your release is stable, there is no reason to upgrade right away, other than a few minor changes in speed and stability. You forfeit these if you upgrade on the first day of a new release. You have been warned.
Got Help?:
7. You can Google it: If you haven’t googled it, do not trounce into a forum and ask the question. People are nice, but they really can’t stand laziness. If you have searched, and can’t find it, it may be a more advanced question that really needs more expert analysis.
Here’s the search formula that reaps the best rewards for me: [manufacturer] [model] [problem] [ubuntu distribution]…(e.g. sony vaio webcam installation hardy). You can vary this formula a little bit, as sometimes it takes a few searches to get the hang of it. The one thing that you should not change is having your version of the distribution in the search. The reason is that fixes, and places where applications install can be different depending on the version you are using. This will ensure that you receive the best solution possible.
8. The Forums: Most of the time, Googling the problem will send you to the Ubuntu forums. Get a user name, log in, and be respectful. Be sure you try everything they tell you to before griping that it won’t work. The help and advice is free, and usually very helpful in nature.
9. Launchpad: This is a bug reporting service that Ubuntu users use to get bugs and various other problems fixed. You can reach the project at https://launchpad.net/ubuntu . Once you get there, click on report a bug, and follow the instructions. Be sure the problem has not been reported already, as they will ask. Provide as much information about the incident as possible. They will keep you posted on the progress as far as the problem being resolved, and assign a priority rating based on the severity of the problem. I’ve had to use it 2 or 3 times. Even the minor problems have been resolved in 2-3 weeks.
10. Don’t Be Afraid To Break It
This is the most important rule. This ain’t your Granny’s china. Stuff will break, you will be the one to break it. You will also be the one fixing it, along with your friend Google. Be patient, be persistent, and walk away for a bit if the solution just won’t come. Vindication will come, and when the fix is done properly, or you changed a variable that caused performance to increase, there will a mountaintop rush. Chances are, your significant other won’t care, but that won’t matter. Feel free to prance around in your boxers, and act like you just won the Nobel Prize.
11. Everything in Windows can be replaced with Open Source software: Really, it can. It takes a little time to find it, but when you do, a whole new world will open up. You’ll start to see how things work better than you expected. Things will play that would not on Windows, you’ll be able to open every attachment you ever wanted to. Productivity will increase, thereby giving you more time to make your system work faster, and work on your own open source program.
I can’t include everything I’ve learned over the past two years here. There are some other articles that I have written on software packages, and the pros and cons of each. Just google my name and iSnare to get a full list of what I have written on the subject. In conclusion, have fun with Ubuntu, share your knowledge with others, and fear God. Seriously.
That’s all the advice I have for you.