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0 Win XP and Ubuntu Linux Dual Boot (Ubuntu First)

     This article is about dual-booting for Linux Ubuntu-8.04 (Herdy Heron) and Microsoft Windows XP; where Ubuntu has already been installed in the system.

     To manage dual-boot we need a boot manager. In Windows we know it as bootloader and in Ubuntu it is called GRUB.

     When we will install XP after Herdy Heron, it will completely overwrite the GRUB with its own boot manager. Unfortunately, till today, Windows are not well enough to deal with this kind of situations or they simply don't want their users to experience other Operating Systems.

     So after installing XP you will see only XP on the start-up screen, there will be no Linux. Now, we have to reinstall the grub to see them together. To do so, you will need the Ubuntu OS installation CD. Insert it to your CD ROM and restart the computer. Select your desired language. Select Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer. It will lead you to boot up with live session.
 
Now go to Applications --> Accessories --> Terminal. Then, type in "sudo grub" and press Enter.
">grub" this is what you would see and will keep seeing until you finish the grub session.
Now just type "find /boot/grub/stage1" after ">grub" and it will show the GRUB.
You will find something like "(hdX,Y)" where X and Y will be two numbers. If you are a newbie, you need not know right now about what it means.
For example, it is "(hd0,1)" It should be ">grub (hd0,1)" to look like.
Now type "root (hd0,1)" It should be ">grub root (hd0,1)" to look like.
Now type "setup (hd0)" It should be ">grub setup (hd0)" to look like.

If everything goes right you will see some lines with success.
Now you can type "quit".

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0 Gnome Shell Vs Ubuntu Unity

       When it comes to choose the next generation desktop environment, there is sheer war among the computer users, whether to pick GNOME Shell or Ubuntu Unity? Both of these operating systems are looming on the horizon and there are huge expectations from desktop environments. In this article we are going to discuss more about GNOME Shell and Ubuntu Unity. For operating system support, you can consult a PC repair company. There are plenty of them available in the market.

      Let's start the discussion with GNOME Shell. Being the next generation of the GNOME Desktop Environment, GNOME Shell is a component of GNOME 3.0. It has been scheduled for release in April 2011. It replaces GNOME Panel and is integrated with Mutter which is a compositing window manager for X11.
On the other hand, Ubuntu Unity is a shell interface for the GNOME desktop environment. It has been developed by Canonical Ltd for the Ubuntu operating system and debuted in the netbook edition of Ubuntu 10.10. At first glance, Ubuntu Unity is going to be much more accessible to new users. This is because a new user might not be aware about the fact that to open up the launcher menu they need to hover their mouse in the upper left corner or click the Activities button. In Ubuntu Unity, the launchers are positioned right on the desktop.

       You will find no run dialog in Ubuntu Unity. Most of the computer users used to use this dialog for launching applications for a very long time. Omission of this run dialog will definitely create a problem for them. On the contrary, on GNOME Shell you can have your run dialog!
Configuring the desktop is also very easy in the GNOME Shell. The users only need to right-click the desktop, the traditional way. But in order to configure Ubuntu Unity desktop, the user must click Applications, then System, and then Appearance. Even many will also find difficulties to find applications as they need to get to Systems from within Applications.

      With both of these desktop environments you can't change your window manager. Whether you prefer Emerald over the standard window manager, either GNOME Shell or Ubuntu Unity, none allows you to perform the task. The Linux desktop are widely popular due to its flexibility. But those who are planning to use either GNOME Shell or Ubuntu Unity you will not be able to enjoy this flexibility.
So, from the discussion, it is clear that both of these desktop environments have some good and bad. Now, it's up to the users which one they will prefer.

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0 Ubuntu Games - My Favorite 5 Games for Ubuntu Article Source

Playing games on Ubuntu is very exciting. I will outline five of my favorite games.
Sauerbraten
Sauerbraten (aka Cube 2) is a first person shooter (FPS). There are two main types of gameplay including the following: multiplayer and singleplayer. Multiplayer is a network game over the internet or your LAN. There is a master serve list if you would like to browse all public Sauerbraten servers. Singleplayer has a campaign mode and bot matches. One neat feature of Sauerbraten is coop edit in game editing. Multiple people can edit a map while playing on it. There are many game modes including the following: Efficiency CTF, Efficiency Hold, Efficiency Protect, Hold, InstaHold, Free-For-All, InstaGib, Capture, Capture the Flag, Teamplay, Tactics, and Protect.
AssualtCube
AssaultCube is also an FPS. AssaultCube is also known as Cube, becoming before Sauerbraten. AssaultCube has multiplayer and singleplayer, but with many less playing modes. AssaultCube runs very well on old computers with bad graphics cards.
Torcs
Torcs is a very realistic racing simulator. Essentially it is a racing game, but it tries to give a very real feel in terms of traction and speed. There are many cars that are available to drive. This includes NASCAR, F1, racing trucks, and off-road vehicles. There are also many tracks to drive on. You can play against the computer or a friend in split screen play. Pit stops are available.
SuperTux
SuperTux is a platform game, aka Mario. Instead of Mario is the Linux penguin. He has nine enemies to fight in 26 levels. SuperTux has support for a joystick too for some old school gaming.
Frets On Fire X
Frets in Fire X is a Guitar Hero look a like. It allows up to four players to play the guitar, bass and drums or sing. MIDI instruments can be used as a controller in addition to Xbox, Wii, and PS3 Guitar Hero instruments. There is also a world high score chart so you can post your high score for the world to see.
I hope you can enjoy one of these great games on Ubuntu

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7 How to Run Spider Solitaire on Ubuntu?

        One of the biggest complaints about Ubuntu is that there doesn't seem to be a spider solitaire. Of any Windows based default game, this is the one that is asked about the most from users. I know of users who actually didn't move to Ubuntu simply because of this issue. It is many people's favorite including mine. There are a couple of options to get your spider solitaire fix while running Ubuntu.

        The first is to realize that there is a version of spider solitaire as well as about fifty other card based games that come on Ubuntu systems. The reason most can't find it is because it seems to be hidden. So it is actually there if you know where to look for it! Here is where to go find it:
Go to Applications then Games and select the program AisleRiot Solitaire. At first this looks like a normal version of Solitaire but it does have the spider version inside. Click on Game then Select Game to bring up a list of card games. One of these will be the spider version that many have grown to love. Problem solved for most of us.

      If you want to use the exact Windows version, you will need the executable. By default this does not run in Ubuntu because it's only runs in Windows format, but you can make it work. There is a free program called WineHQ that will run these types of files while using Linux. This can be found in the Synaptic Package Manager. After installation run the executable under "Wine" to get it to work. This solution works quite well for most people who want the native Windows option but a bit more work is required.

      A third option is to go into the repositories and download other solitaire games that are free, open source software if you would like a different version or look from the one that comes with Ubuntu. There are thousands of games to choose from some of which will have things like spider solitaire packaged with it. Of course this involves the most work but also gives you the most functionality.

      Generally speaking, if there is a simple application or game that you need, there is an open source alternative to what was offered on your Windows machine. This is because people who make open source software like making applications and programs that people enjoy using.

  

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0 About Ubuntu

Ubuntu is an entirely open source operating system built around the Linux kernel. The Ubuntu community is built around the ideals enshrined in the Ubuntu Philosophy: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. For those reasons:

  • Ubuntu will always be free of charge, and there is no extra fee for the "enterprise edition," we make our very best work available to everyone on the same Free terms.
  • Ubuntu includes the very best in translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer, to make Ubuntu usable for as many people as possible.
  • Ubuntu is released regularly and predictably; a new release is made every six months. You can use the current stable release or the current development release. Each release is supported for at least 18 months.
  • Ubuntu is entirely committed to the principles of open source software development; we encourage people to use open source software, improve it and pass it on.

The Ubuntu community is comprised of developers, programmers, testers, techwriters, documentation testers, translators, and most importantly, the people who use Ubuntu every day. We invite you to join this community and help make Ubuntu the operating system you, your family, your friends, and your colleagues will love to use. Help us translate Ubuntu into your language, try it on new and unusual hardware, improve the experience of other users with hints, tips, and FAQs, or help to shape the direction Ubuntu is headed by providing feedback about the software you love most.
Find out more at the Ubuntu website.

About the Name

Ubuntu is a South African ethical ideology focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other. The word comes from the Zulu and Xhosa languages. Ubuntu (pronounced "oo-BOON-too") is seen as a traditional African concept, is regarded as one of the founding principles of the new republic of South Africa and is connected to the idea of an African Renaissance.
A rough translation of the principle of Ubuntu is "humanity towards others". Another translation could be: "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity".
  "A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed."
 
  --Archbishop Desmond Tutu
As a platform based on GNU/Linux, the Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of ubuntu to the software world.

Free Software

The Ubuntu project is entirely committed to the principles of open source software development; people are encouraged to use open source software, improve it, and pass it on. This means that Ubuntu is and will always be free of charge.
However, this means more than just being available at zero cost. The philosophy of free software is that people should be free to use software in all the ways that are "socially useful". "Free software" doesn't just mean that you shouldn't have to pay for it, it also means that you should be able to use the software in any way you wish: the code that makes up free software is available for anyone to download, change, fix, and use in any way. So apart from the fact that free software is often available without charge, this freedom also has technical advantages: when programs are developed, the hard work of others can be used and built upon. With non-free software, this cannot happen and when programs are developed, they have to start from scratch. For this reason the development of free software is fast, efficient and exciting!
You can find out more about the philosophy of free software here.

The Difference

There are many different operating systems based on GNU/Linux: Debian, SuSE, Gentoo, RedHat, and Mandriva are examples. Ubuntu is yet another contender in what is already a highly competitive world. So what makes Ubuntu different?
Based on Debian, one of the most widely acclaimed, technologically advanced, and well-supported distributions, Ubuntu aims to create a distribution that provides an up-to-date and coherent Linux system for desktop and server computing. Ubuntu includes a number of carefully selected packages from the Debian distribution and retains its powerful package management system which allows easy installation and clean removal of programs. Unlike most distributions that ship with a large amount of software that may or may not be of use, Ubuntu's list of packages is reduced to a number of important applications of high quality.
By focusing on quality, Ubuntu produces a robust and feature-rich computing environment that is suitable for use in both home and commercial environments. The project takes the time required to focus on finer details and is able to release a version featuring the latest and greatest of today's software once every 6 months. Ubuntu is available in flavours for the i386 (386/486/Pentium(II/III/IV) and Athlon/Duron/Sempron processors), AMD64 (Athlon64, Opteron, and new 64-bit Intel processors), and PowerPC (iBook/Powerbook, G4 and G5) architectures.

Long-Term Support

Every Ubuntu release is supported for at least 18 months with security and other updates. Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS is a special enterprise-ready release, and is supported for 3 years on the desktop, and 5 years on the server. The development process of Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS was slightly longer than usual to concentrate on a number of areas:
  • Quality Assurance
  • Localisation
  • Certification
As a result, it will be possible to rely on Ubuntu 6.06.1 LTS for a longer period than usual. Therefore this release of Ubuntu is referred to as "LTS" or "Long-Term Support".

The Desktop

The default desktop environment for Ubuntu is GNOME, a leading UNIX and Linux desktop suite and development platform.
Another leading UNIX and Linux desktop is KDE. The Kubuntu project offers Ubuntu users an alternative choice to the default GNOME desktop environment. Thanks to the efforts of the Kubuntu team, Ubuntu users are now able to install and use the KDE desktop easily on their system. To get a working install of Kubuntu on an Ubuntu install, install the kubuntu-desktop package. Once kubuntu-desktop is installed, one can choose to use either a Gnome or KDE desktop environment.

Version and Release Numbers

The Ubuntu version numbering scheme is based on the date we release a version of the distribution. The version number comes from the year and month of the release rather than reflecting the actual version of the software. Our first release (Warty Warthog) was in October 2004 so its version was 4.10. This version (Dapper Drake) was released in June 2006 so its version number is 6.06.1 LTS.

Backing and Support

Ubuntu is maintained by a quickly growing community. The project is sponsored by Canonical Ltd., a holding company founded by Mark Shuttleworth. Canonical employs the core Ubuntu developers and offers support and consulting services for Ubuntu.
Canonical Ltd also sponsors a number of other Open Source software projects, about which more information can be found on the Canonical website.

What is Linux?

The Linux kernel, pronounced 'lee-nucks' is the heart of the Ubuntu operating system. A kernel is an important part of any operating system, providing the communication bridge between hardware and software.
Linux was brought to life in 1991 by a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds. At the time, it would run only on i386 systems, and was essentially an independently created clone of the UNIX kernel, intended to take advantage of the then-new i386 architecture.
Nowadays, thanks to a substantial amount of development effort by people all around the world, Linux runs on virtually every modern architecture.
The Linux kernel has gained an ideological importance as well as a technical one. There is an entire community of people who believe in the ideals of free software and spend their time helping to make open source technology as good as it can be.
People in this community gave rise to initiatives such as Ubuntu, standards committees that shape the development of the Internet, organizations like the Mozilla Foundation, responsible for creating Mozilla Firefox, and countless other software projects from which you've certainly benefited in the past.
The spirit of open source, commonly attributed to Linux, is influencing software developers and users everywhere to drive communities with common goals.

What is GNU?

The GNU Project, pronounced “guh-noo”, was launched in 1984 to develop a complete UNIX style operating system which is comprised of free software: the GNU system. Variants of the GNU operating system, which use the Linux kernel, are now widely used; though these systems are often referred to as “Linux,” they are more accurately called GNU/Linux systems.
The GNU project is closely linked to the philosophy of free software, which is central to the projects that derive from it, such as Ubuntu.

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0 The Ubuntu story



ubuntu |oǒ'boǒntoō|

Ubuntu is an ancient African word meaning 'humanity to others'. It also means 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. The Ubuntu operating system brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the world of computers.


Where did it all begin?

Linux was already established as an enterprise server platform in 2004. But free software was still not a part of everyday life for most computer users. That's why Mark Shuttleworth gathered a small team of developers from one of the most established Linux projects – Debian - and set out to create an easy-to-use Linux desktop, Ubuntu.
The vision for Ubuntu is part social and part economic: free software, available free of charge to everybody on the same terms, and funded through a portfolio of services provided by Canonical.

Ubuntu releases

The Ubuntu team broke new ground in committing to a programme of scheduled releases on a predictable six-month basis. It was decided that every fourth release, issued on a two-year basis, would receive long-term support (LTS). LTS releases are typically used for large-scale deployments.
Ubuntu is different from the commercial Linux offerings that preceded it because it doesn't divide its efforts between a high-quality commercial version and a free, 'community' version. The commercial and community teams collaborate to produce a single, high-quality release, which receives ongoing maintenance for a defined period. Both the release and ongoing updates are freely available to all users.

Governance

Version 4.10, codenamed the 'Warty Warthog', the first official Ubuntu release, was launched in October 2004. Global interest in Ubuntu was dramatic from the outset. The year following the Warty Warthog release saw huge growth in the Ubuntu community as thousands of free software enthusiasts and experts joined.
The governance of Ubuntu is somewhat independent of Canonical, with volunteer leaders from around the world taking responsibility for many of the critical elements of the project. It remains a key tenet of the Ubuntu Project that Ubuntu is a shared work between Canonical, other companies, and the thousands of volunteers who bring their expertise to bear on making it a world-class platform for the whole world to use.

Ubuntu today

The first version of Ubuntu was based on the GNOME desktop. We have since added a KDE edition, Kubuntu, and a server edition. All of the editions of Ubuntu share common infrastructure and software, making Ubuntu a unique platform that scales from consumer electronics to the desktop, and into the cloud for enterprise computing. Developers can work on their desktop of choice, and smoothly deliver code to cloud servers running the stripped-down Ubuntu Server Edition.
In recent years, special emphasis has been placed on netbooks for lightweight, connected, mobile computing, and on the cloud as a new architecture for data centres. Ubuntu is a pioneer in both fields, with Ubuntu Netbook Edition and Ubuntu Enterprise Cloud setting the standard for easy deployment and management. Ubuntu is hugely popular on Amazon's EC2 and Rackspace's Cloud, and is pre-installed on computers from Dell, Lenovo and other global vendors.
Ubuntu still is and always will be free to use, share and develop. We hope it will bring a touch of light to your computing – and we hope that you'll join us in helping to build the next version too.

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9 5 Major Drawbacks of Linux Hosting

Many organizations use Linux hosting for creating and publishing their websites because Linux is open source and can be easily modified and improved. Also, Linux hosting is cheap as compared to Windows hosting and is popular for its stability and security owing to the regular modifications and improvements made by developers to deal with programming and security issues.

Linux is also being used by large organizations such as HP and IBM and cell phone manufacturers such as Nokia and Motorola to create phone applications. However, Linux hosting is not free of drawbacks. Some of the major drawbacks of Linux hosting are given below.

1. Complicated for new users

When compared to Windows, Linux is a little more complicated for new users. Although, it provides its users with more control, but, they have to spend some time in getting used to Linux in order to use it for the right purpose. Thus, if you have little or no experience in managing a website, it is better to choose Windows hosting.

2. Some features work better on Windows

Although Linux web hosting is very useful, however, some hosting features and tools are designed to function better with Windows hosting rather than Linux hosting. For example, in case you plan to offer online chat services, you should choose a Windows hosting plan. Windows hosting also allows better access to databases and customers can easily view and browse through your products and services. Therefore, if your website has been specifically designed for Windows based applications, you need to get a Windows hosting plan rather than a cheap option in the form of Linux hosting.

3. Lack Of Support For Windows-based Technologies

Linux hosting also does not support many Windows-based applications. For example, ASP programming language along with its extensions, do not function on Linux operating system even though many improvements and modifications have been made. Similarly, Linux does not support Microsoft Exchange Server which is a commonly used exchange server solution. Clients already accustomed to Microsoft Exchange Server might need to get a Windows hosting plan. However, some clients may use virtualization software such as VMware which allows them to load Windows within Linux hosting thereby making it easy to use Microsoft based software on Linux hosting.

4. Less Hardware Options

Another consideration for Linux hosting is that Linux hosting does not support a lot of hardware. Most vendors write drivers which work for Windows operating system rather than Linux because of the common use of Windows operating system. Due to this reason, Linux hosting offers limited hardware options.

5. Difficult Installation

As compared to Linux, it is very simple and easy to install Windows from scratch because different distributors have different installation programs for Linux and these programs may also vary from version to version.

Although considered to be very reliable and secure, these above mentioned Linux hosting drawbacks should be kept in mind before jumping on the bandwagon of Linux hosting. As mentioned earlier, if you are a beginner and are not familiar with Linux, avoid using Linux hosting as it will increase your time and effort. However, Linux hosting is the best ideal for expert users.


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0 The Origin of Linux Distribution

"Linux Distribution" or call briefly that is "Linux Distro" which born from the requirement Distribute Linux Operating System go to the favor extensively. The "Distribution" word is the extensively meaning there is appear in every the society, there is person group want to announce the idea of oneself goes out to others.
For linux distro that is person group they want to announce linux operating system to others turn to take an interest and lead the linux operating system to be usable more and more extensively there. The power adds that make up the linux distro that have as follows.

First, because of in the age at linux start the internet system still have a few speed extremely then not convenient to download linux kernel and all linux components come to set up because more will fully completed download it get time long ago. So, CD-ROM saller group for sets up a linux program then important duty first of linux distribution.

The second points, is in the age at this first also at all program at the components of linux operating system still during of development goes to according to one's ability of program developer from the worldwide, thus leading linux to usable have rather a little moderately, So mostly software that distribute then is in "source code" which the lead will go to usable must use the technical step that calls "Program Compilation" then make not convenient or almost impossible to build the favor happen in group of newcomer users quickly follows the aim of linux distribution. So the linux distro group must prepare operating system software of oneself are in fully use actually then get achieve.

The third points, that is the hard step for linux operating system installation must touch redesign for easyly most don't differ from order calling setup command in windows installation, including setting all the usability and refining the system for just boot with Linux CD-ROM and click next go to continually already you will have linux operating system that want, simple that is linux distro must making usability linux get into simple for general person.
So, linux distribution then group of person are the organization there is the objective to announce the operating system that uses linux for kernel to general person to extensively usability by operate beneath the regulation of the OpenSource community and FREE Software which in now have linux distribution increase greatly.
This is the basic about the origin of linux operating system and linux distro distributing to other linux users. Linux learning is easiest in now vendor of each linux distro they has created it for easy to use and easy fast install, So you can learn on same the windows os.


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0 10 fundamental differences between Linux and Windows


#1: Full access vs. no access
Having access to the source code is probably the single most significant difference between Linux and Windows. The fact that Linux belongs to the GNU Public License ensures that users (of all sorts) can access (and alter) the code to the very kernel that serves as the foundation of the Linux operating system. You want to peer at the Windows code? Good luck. Unless you are a member of a very select (and elite, to many) group, you will never lay eyes on code making up the Windows operating system.
You can look at this from both sides of the fence. Some say giving the public access to the code opens the operating system (and the software that runs on top of it) to malicious developers who will take advantage of any weakness they find. Others say that having full access to the code helps bring about faster improvements and bug fixes to keep those malicious developers from being able to bring the system down. I have, on occasion, dipped into the code of one Linux application or another, and when all was said and done, was happy with the results. Could I have done that with a closed-source Windows application? No.
#2: Licensing freedom vs. licensing restrictions
Along with access comes the difference between the licenses. I'm sure that every IT professional could go on and on about licensing of PC software. But let's just look at the key aspect of the licenses (without getting into legalese). With a Linux GPL-licensed operating system, you are free to modify that software and use and even republish or sell it (so long as you make the code available). Also, with the GPL, you can download a single copy of a Linux distribution (or application) and install it on as many machines as you like. With the Microsoft license, you can do none of the above. You are bound to the number of licenses you purchase, so if you purchase 10 licenses, you can legally install that operating system (or application) on only 10 machines.
#3: Online peer support vs. paid help-desk support
This is one issue where most companies turn their backs on Linux. But it's really not necessary. With Linux, you have the support of a huge community via forums, online search, and plenty of dedicated Web sites. And of course, if you feel the need, you can purchase support contracts from some of the bigger Linux companies (Red Hat and Novell for instance).
However, when you use the peer support inherent in Linux, you do fall prey to time. You could have an issue with something, send out e-mail to a mailing list or post on a forum, and within 10 minutes be flooded with suggestions. Or these suggestions could take hours of days to come in. It seems all up to chance sometimes. Still, generally speaking, most problems with Linux have been encountered and documented. So chances are good you'll find your solution fairly quickly.
On the other side of the coin is support for Windows. Yes, you can go the same route with Microsoft and depend upon your peers for solutions. There are just as many help sites/lists/forums for Windows as there are for Linux. And you can purchase support from Microsoft itself. Most corporate higher-ups easily fall victim to the safety net that having a support contract brings. But most higher-ups haven't had to depend up on said support contract. Of the various people I know who have used either a Linux paid support contract or a Microsoft paid support contract, I can't say one was more pleased than the other. This of course begs the question "Why do so many say that Microsoft support is superior to Linux paid support?"
#4: Full vs. partial hardware support
One issue that is slowly becoming nonexistent is hardware support. Years ago, if you wanted to install Linux on a machine you had to make sure you hand-picked each piece of hardware or your installation would not work 100 percent. I can remember, back in 1997-ish, trying to figure out why I couldn't get Caldera Linux or Red Hat Linux to see my modem. After much looking around, I found I was the proud owner of a Winmodem. So I had to go out and purchase a US Robotics external modem because that was the one modem I knew would work. This is not so much the case now. You can grab a PC (or laptop) and most likely get one or more Linux distributions to install and work nearly 100 percent. But there are still some exceptions. For instance, hibernate/suspend remains a problem with many laptops, although it has come a long way.
With Windows, you know that most every piece of hardware will work with the operating system. Of course, there are times (and I have experienced this over and over) when you will wind up spending much of the day searching for the correct drivers for that piece of hardware you no longer have the install disk for. But you can go out and buy that 10-cent Ethernet card and know it'll work on your machine (so long as you have, or can find, the drivers). You also can rest assured that when you purchase that insanely powerful graphics card, you will probably be able to take full advantage of its power.
#5: Command line vs. no command line
No matter how far the Linux operating system has come and how amazing the desktop environment becomes, the command line will always be an invaluable tool for administration purposes. Nothing will ever replace my favorite text-based editor, ssh, and any given command-line tool. I can't imagine administering a Linux machine without the command line. But for the end user — not so much. You could use a Linux machine for years and never touch the command line. Same with Windows. You can still use the command line with Windows, but not nearly to the extent as with Linux. And Microsoft tends to obfuscate the command prompt from users. Without going to Run and entering cmd (or command, or whichever it is these days), the user won't even know the command-line tool exists. And if a user does get the Windows command line up and running, how useful is it really?
#6: Centralized vs. noncentralized application installation
The heading for this point might have thrown you for a loop. But let's think about this for a second. With Linux you have (with nearly every distribution) a centralized location where you can search for, add, or remove software. I'm talking about package management systems, such as Synaptic. With Synaptic, you can open up one tool, search for an application (or group of applications), and install that application without having to do any Web searching (or purchasing).
Windows has nothing like this. With Windows, you must know where to find the software you want to install, download the software (or put the CD into your machine), and run setup.exe or install.exe with a simple double-click. For many years, it was thought that installing applications on Windows was far easier than on Linux. And for many years, that thought was right on target. Not so much now. Installation under Linux is simple, painless, and centralized.
#7: Flexibility vs. rigidity
I always compare Linux (especially the desktop) and Windows to a room where the floor and ceiling are either movable or not. With Linux, you have a room where the floor and ceiling can be raised or lowered, at will, as high or low as you want to make them. With Windows, that floor and ceiling are immovable. You can't go further than Microsoft has deemed it necessary to go.
Take, for instance, the desktop. Unless you are willing to pay for and install a third-party application that can alter the desktop appearance, with Windows you are stuck with what Microsoft has declared is the ideal desktop for you. With Linux, you can pretty much make your desktop look and feel exactly how you want/need. You can have as much or as little on your desktop as you want. From simple flat Fluxbox to a full-blown 3D Compiz experience, the Linux desktop is as flexible an environment as there is on a computer.
#8: Fanboys vs. corporate types
I wanted to add this because even though Linux has reached well beyond its school-project roots, Linux users tend to be soapbox-dwelling fanatics who are quick to spout off about why you should be choosing Linux over Windows. I am guilty of this on a daily basis (I try hard to recruit new fanboys/girls), and it's a badge I wear proudly. Of course, this is seen as less than professional by some. After all, why would something worthy of a corporate environment have or need cheerleaders? Shouldn't the software sell itself? Because of the open source nature of Linux, it has to make do without the help of the marketing budgets and deep pockets of Microsoft. With that comes the need for fans to help spread the word. And word of mouth is the best friend of Linux.
Some see the fanaticism as the same college-level hoorah that keeps Linux in the basements for LUG meetings and science projects. But I beg to differ. Another company, thanks to the phenomenon of a simple music player and phone, has fallen into the same fanboy fanaticism, and yet that company's image has not been besmirched because of that fanaticism. Windows does not have these same fans. Instead, Windows has a league of paper-certified administrators who believe the hype when they hear the misrepresented market share numbers reassuring them they will be employable until the end of time.
#9: Automated vs. nonautomated removable media
I remember the days of old when you had to mount your floppy to use it and unmount it to remove it. Well, those times are drawing to a close — but not completely. One issue that plagues new Linux users is how removable media is used. The idea of having to manually "mount" a CD drive to access the contents of a CD is completely foreign to new users. There is a reason this is the way it is. Because Linux has always been a multiuser platform, it was thought that forcing a user to mount a media to use it would keep the user's files from being overwritten by another user. Think about it: On a multiuser system, if everyone had instant access to a disk that had been inserted, what would stop them from deleting or overwriting a file you had just added to the media? Things have now evolved to the point where Linux subsystems are set up so that you can use a removable device in the same way you use them in Windows. But it's not the norm. And besides, who doesn't want to manually edit the /etc/fstab fle?
#10: Multilayered run levels vs. a single-layered run level
I couldn't figure out how best to title this point, so I went with a description. What I'm talking about is Linux' inherent ability to stop at different run levels. With this, you can work from either the command line (run level 3) or the GUI (run level 5). This can really save your socks when X Windows is fubared and you need to figure out the problem. You can do this by booting into run level 3, logging in as root, and finding/fixing the problem.
With Windows, you're lucky to get to a command line via safe mode — and then you may or may not have the tools you need to fix the problem. In Linux, even in run level 3, you can still get and install a tool to help you out (hello apt-get install APPLICATION via the command line). Having different run levels is helpful in another way. Say the machine in question is a Web or mail server. You want to give it all the memory you have, so you don't want the machine to boot into run level 5. However, there are times when you do want the GUI for administrative purposes (even though you can fully administer a Linux server from the command line). Because you can run the startx command from the command line at run level 3, you can still start up X Windows and have your GUI as well. With Windows, you are stuck at the Graphical run level unless you hit a serious problem.

posted by wahidin rahmadi 0 coment
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2 Linux 101: A Newcomer’S Guide

Are you wishing to try the new Linux 101 version at your desktop or for your organization? Well, it could be a tough task if you do not know what exactly to do. Especially if you have no knowledge of the Linux operating system and are planning to covert from Windows, it could be mind-boggling. However, if you are one of such people then here is a guide for you. Keep in mind that you will have to spend a good amount of money and effort to understand how Linux 101 works. Here is a step-by-step information guide that you will need to decide if this is the operating system for you, to choose a Linux distribution, to install and configure and to get the software applications for it.
The first thing you need to know is what an operating system is. Then, find out the difference between UNIX and Windows. Until and unless you know what UNIX is all about, you will not be able to use Linux in the best possible way. Linux belongs to the UNIX family only and that is why it is important to know about it.
Once you start reading about all this information, you will get to know that Linux is the ultimate UNIX. UNIX does not refer to any single operating system but it contains a number of flavors. Linux was written with the UNIX architecture by Linus Torvalds in 1943. Since that very day, it has created a revolution for UNIX. Some people consider it a better operating system; better even than the Microsoft Windows. It makes use of open source and free software that is really relished by its users.
After you have gathered enough information about Linux, you will have to choose a Linux distribution. Again there are hundreds of choices. If you think you are not educated enough to choose the right distribution for yourself then it is better to take consult. You can consult your friends or colleagues who are already using Linux to know about the Linux 101. Once you get hold of the operating system, you will have to pick some useful software applications. They are needed for both – business and fun. You can easily find the various options available on the Internet.
You can find out all the above mentioned information through the Internet but you will need personal attention from an expert to learn how to use Linux 101. Therefore, the best way to follow these steps is to start with finding a Linux guru. Find an expert who has thorough knowledge of Linux and make him/her to teach and help operate Linux 101. However, keep in mind that having a certification to understand Linux is not a necessity.
Summary: To understand and start using the Linux 101 operating system, one needs to start from the scratch. From understanding the concept of an operating system, Linux, Windows to the special features of Linux – only an expert can help. Nevertheless, getting informed about certain things through the Internet can help one achieve the target soon!

posted by wahidin rahmadi 2 coment
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