Programming Linux Computers For Kids

September 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Children are beginning to get into the world of programming computers. Many parents feel that if they are going to use the computer anyway, it is better to have the children learn programming than sitting and playing video games all day. Some kids are not interested, but those that take to it are soon creating their own video games.

One of the things so many people love about Linux is the fact that it can be downloaded for free. There are pricier versions that come boxed with instruction manuals. However, most of the information within the manuals can be found on the internet. Even those who want to learn more about programming Linux can find a huge amount of information online. This makes the operating system ideal for children who do not need all of the expensive features that come with Windows that tend to slow down the computer.

Children often end up using handed down, out of date computers that their parents or older siblings no longer use. The problem with this is that newer versions of Windows and other Microsoft programs can cause the computer to run more and more slowly. The old processors just can’t handle the memory and speed needed for newer software.

Because of this, Linux is ideal for children as it does not take near the amount of resources that Windows programs take. This gives the children the ability to work faster and access the programs they need to access.

Trying to find out if a child will take to Linux or not does not need to to be worrisome for a parent. There are many places online where one can try Linux without installing it on the computer. Once the child gets a feel for the operating system, the decision about permanent replacement can be made.

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Linux Gives Old Hardware New Life

September 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The majority of computer users have a need for only a few basic abilities. They want their computers to access the internet. They need office type programs. They need a place to store photos. And, they need to be able to watch and store home videos.

Any computer user that had a Windows based computer would groan at the thought of trying to do any of those things on computers that are five years old. They would laugh if it was suggested that they use a computer that was ten or twelve years old.

That is one of the amazing things about Linux. The programming has such a small footprint on the hard drive and takes very little RAM to run properly. Many people claim that running Linux on old computers actually creates a better running and faster machine than running the newer versions of Windows on machines that are a couple of years old.

One example comes from a popular Youtube video of someone who loaded Linux onto their old computer. The computer was a Pentium 3 800. It had only 128 MB RAM. The video shows the user watching a basketball game online, opening and closing windows with ease, and even changing workstations in a way that one would expect to see in a Windows commercial.

Because Linux comes with Open Office and a web browser, users have the ability to do anything they need right away, with out waiting to upload more programs. While storing videos and digital photos may not work well on an older computer, anyone can hook up an inexpensive external hard drive to store those types of things.

With all of these features, it is clear that Linux isn’t just for computer nerds to have a strong understanding of computer programming. Linux is for everyone. If you need to find a way to do it, Linux can help.

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Linux Secrets

August 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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When you first open Linux Red Hat (with a Gnome Interface), probably the first you’ll notice is that it actually looks a lot like the Window interface.But although Linux looks a lot like Windows, it functions a lot differently. With Linux, you deal with an entirely different set of commands, and it behaves differently as well.
For example, in Windows you can adjust monitor properties with a few keystrokes. However, with Linux, you have to run a program called Xconfigurator to adjust the settings on your monitor. Basically, Xconfigurator helps you set up the configuration fields on your Red Hat computer.
Since there is no information on documentation on changing settings in Linux, you pretty much have to figure it out on your own. The problem is that you have to figure it out on your own. It’s one of the secrets of Linux that everyone seems to know how to do without having to look it up. If you’re switching from Windows to Linux, you’ll need to know a few Linux secrets to help make the transition easier.
Secret #1: Adjusting Your Monitor
In order to adjust your monitor in Linux, you have to be logged in as Root. You can then exit to the terminal. At this point, your screen should have a DOS prompt.
Follow the steps below:
1. At the # prompt type in the word, Xconfigurator.
2. A configuration program appears, asking you to provide the name, model number, and manufacturer of your monitor and video card. You’ll also need to supply the refresh rate.
3. You can usually find most of this information you need in your user manual or the manufacturer. Make sure that you have the information ready before you begin. From that point, all you need to do is fill out the form.
Secret #2: Exit the Terminal Before Running Any Programs
Always keep in mind that you must first exit the terminal before running programs without icons on your desktop. In Linux, Some programs will display an icon on the desktop once you install the program.
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Protecting Your Computer From Viruses

August 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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As computers and the Internet become more sophisticated, computers viruses are on the rise. Every day, a new virus capable of damaging your computer and wiping out your files are on the loose. Computer programmers and anti-virus specialists work diligently to keep their software programs immune from viruses, but a virus can still find a way into your computer. As a result, a single way to protect your computer from viruses currently doesn’t exist. Instead, only a series of preventative measures can protect your computer from malicious virus infections.
The following are a few ideas to protect your computer against viruses:
1. Backup your files daily. Since there isn’t a single method or way to protect your computer files against viruses, it’s always in your best interest to back them up at least once a day. That way, if a dangerous virus enters your computer, you have a backup of your files. As we said before, a virus can enter your computer and wipe out your files completely. You can make backups of your data files to an external hard drive, compact disk (CD), or external storage device of your choice. There are also some software programs available that will backup your files automatically.
2. Be prepared to completely reinstall your system. Whether you use Windows, Linux, or some other type of operating system, you should always have a copy of it nearby. In addition, you should also have backup copies of your software programs and applications. If for some reason, your computer is infected with a virus, you can always reinstall your operating system and applications. You don’t want to wind up short handed if your computer is infected; only to discover that you have no backups of your applications as well as the tools needed to run your computer.
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Linux Web Hosting or Windows Web Hosting: Which is Better?

August 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Choosing the right solution to host your web applications can be a difficult task, especially when you are new to the web hosting industry (as many people are). When it comes to web hosting, there are many different aspects to become familiar with. For example, both Linux and Windows web hosting have a variety of platforms from which you can choose.

Although both Linux and Windows operating systems have similar functions to get your website up and running, they still have some major differences. Before deciding which system works best for you, it’s always a good idea to understand the differences between the two. Choosing the right operating system may depend on whether you’re designing a large, enterprise website or a just a small blog.

The following are some advantages and disadvantages of Linux and Windows web hosting.

Linux Hosting vs. Windows Hosting

As far as price is concerned, Linux is an open source application, meaning that it’s free. However, since Windows is owned and developed by Microsoft, you’ll have to pay for it (assuming that you don’t already have it installed).

Windows Hosting vs. Linux Hosting

If you wish to create your own website in Windows, and plan to use Microsoft proprietary applications (for example, ASP, FrontPage, Access, or MSSQL), then a Windows web hosting plan should be your choice. The reason for choosing Windows is that there is very limited support for these applications in a Linux environment.

Conclusion

Once you have a clear idea of the advantages and disadvantages of each operating system, you’ll be able to choose the one that works best for your environment. Many new webmasters say that Linux servers be simple, reliable, and affordable.

As you shop around, keep in mind that the differences between the operating systems are relatively minor. However, the main difference between both systems is price: Linux is free, while Windows costs money. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to consult an expert from a web hosting company. Many are available on the Internet.

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Linux: A Brief History

August 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

In 1991, Linus Torvalds, a young student at the University of Helsiniki developed an interest in small UNIX system called Minix. He got bored with Minix, and decided to develop a more sophisticated operating system using Minix standards. Torvalds released version 0.02 of the first Linux system in 1991. After working steadily for over three years, he released version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel, which is the crux of all Linux systems. The Kernel was released under the GNU General Public License, making its source code available to the general public. Since Linux is an open source system, More recently, hundreds of companies and individuals have released their own systems based on the Linux Kernel. Version 2.6 of Linux was released in 1994.

In addition to the fact that Linux is an open source system, its functionality, Linux has become a major alternative to Unix and Microsoft operating systems, has made it the main alternative for proprietary Unix and Microsoft operating systems. Major software companies like IBM and Hewlett-Packard have also contributed to its development on an ongoing basis. Throughout the 1990’s however, many experienced programmers and technical experts dismissed Linux as a viable alternative to other operating systems. It wasn’t until nearly a decade later that Linux has been adopted as a server platform. With further development, the Linux operating system can now incorporated into microchips. The process is called embedding, and it has become very popular in appliances and other devices.

Developers working on desktop management systems and office suites have made a lot of progress over the years to create well-known systems like GNOME and OpenOffice. The Mozilla web browser has only become a popular choice among computer users. If you’re interested in taking a look at Linux, you can download a CD version called Knoopix. It comes with everything you need to execute daily tasks on your computer, and there is no installation involved.

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A Brief History of Linux

August 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

After ten years in the making, the Linux operating system has experienced rapid growth. Linux has come a long way in the last ten years, and has grown from a few users in the early 1990s to millions of individual users and businesses. In addition, these people have invested millions of dollars into its development effort. IBM, for example, invested a lot of money to develop Linux as an open source system.

The development model for Linux is well designed and supervised by experts. Thousands of developers have also ported special applications to Linux. Overall, the Linux operating system is becoming widely accepted by individuals and businesses across the globe. Linux-based computers have also survived bad viruses in 1999 and 2000.

Even throughout the dot-com bust, Linux start-up companies like Red Hat have received a positive response from the public. Despite the competition, these companies still seem to grow at a rapid rate. As an added bonus, many large and small businesses have adopted Linux as key part of their office environment.

Rising Popularity of Linux

In the past, the text-based interface seemed to scare off several users, but currently, many large and small businesses have adopted Linux as a key part of their office environment. The advents of desktop environments like KDE and GNOME have helped change the public’s opinion of the Linux. A few recent releases of these desktop versions make it much more user friendly. If you’re considering Linux for your office or personal use, it’s definitely worth checking out. The system has come a long way from its beginnings as a text-based system. Many versions of Linux now include user-friendly GUIs, and Installation is also easier. You no longer have to be a computer hardware expert to install Linux; developers have made the process much easier over time.

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Linux in the Developing World

August 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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In the past, developing countries fell behind in the field of technology and computing. In third world countries, the cost of software was a huge burden to many computer users. As a result, people often resorted to piracy of all kinds of software products. The rising piracy problem amounted to billions of dollars in losses for computer companies.

The high price of the commercial software products added to the piracy problem in developing countries. Not too long ago, a typical operating system cost $100 or more. It may not seem like a lot of money, but in countries where the average per capita income is between $200 and $300, that’s a lot of money. Since Linux is an open source product, it’s affordable and can run on almost any computer. As a result, Linux has become a viable option for computer users on a small budget.

Using Open Source Software Programs

The use of open source software has also helped cut software costs considerably. In order to meet users’ needs, Linux software has been customized in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Linux now appeals to computer users across the globe. Today, Linux documentation has been written in almost all the major languages (including Vietnamese).

From Desktops to Super Computers

The Linux operating system has come a long way from the time when Linus Torvalds first started developing it. In 2001, the U.S. government planned to build a super computer that performed over 13 trillion calculations per second. The project involved creating a network consisting of four supercomputing centers across the country. By 2005, four out the five fastest computers used Linux as an operating system. In the last few years, Linux has brought together huge companies like IBM along with millions of other people to collaborate in an open source software movement.

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Windows or Linux: Which is Better?

August 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Many people have reviewed the Linux operating system in case studies and have found it to be a viable option to other systems. At first, it was text-based system, and somewhat difficult to use. However, it has evolved over time with a lot more user-friendly graphical user interfaces (GUIs), making it much easier to mange. In this article, we’ll draw a comparison of Linux and Windows. That way, you can decide whether or the Linux system makes sense for you.

The best part about Linux is that it’s free (including all the applications) through the open source licensing system. It doesn’t cost you a dime, and many versions of Linux are available on the Internet. Since Linux is “open source,” you can view the code, edit it, and even create your own software product, if desired.

On the other hand, many of Microsoft’s operating systems cost literally hundreds of dollars. Upgrades to Windows XP and Windows 2000 and higher can cost even more. Linux offers several distributions for all types of users, making it a good option for the masses. In the last few years, the Windows operating system documented over 48,000 viruses, while Linux showed only to 40.
As far as installation is concerned, it takes most people about one half hour to install the Linux system, along with its utilities and applications. In addition, you don’t have to be a computer expert to install it. Windows requires registration, activation, and paperwork, while Linux doesn’t require any of those things. You simply download the latest version onto your computer, and you’re in business. An added bonus is that there is no need to reinstall your data files.

With Linux, you can download the latest version from the Internet any time you want. However with Windows, it’s much more difficult. You can’t download an updated version. Instead, you have to use the CD that came with your computer. You’re also required to download all the recent patches issued by Microsoft.

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