Linux OR Windows!

If you were to introduce your grandma or kids to their first computer, would you give them Windows or Linux? I believe Linux is easier to use than Windows, and is a better option for inexperienced computer users.

Linux has come a very long way in the last few years.  Back in the day, Linux was difficult to use, and was mainly geared towards experienced computer users.  Nowadays, Linux is easier to use than ever. It’s secure, stable, fast, has excellent hardware support, and is easy to use.

If you are only familiar with Windows, and have grown accustomed to various applications, Linux might be frustrating. This is because you can’t run most Windows programs, but there are free and open-source alternatives to almost any Windows application. There is even a Windows emulator for Linux called WINE, which allows users to run most Windows programs, including a lot of PC games.  Software developers are starting to catch on, and are developing Linux versions of their applications, and many of the programs Windows users have grown accustomed to are also available on Linux.

There are hundreds of different flavors and types of Linux with different interfaces and “looks and feels”.  For users new to Linux, I recommend Linux Mint, Xubuntu, OpenSuse, or Ubuntu.

I’ve introduced a lot of people to Linux, and a lot of them were totally new to using computers. Even my 3 year old son uses Ubuntu Linux on his own laptop! I’ve also had a lot of success with introducing senior citizens to Linux, and to anyone that keeps an open mind, and is ready to try something different.

Let’s face it, most users spend the majority of their time on their computer using their web browser such as Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, or Safari. With Linux you can easily run Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, and Konqueror (based on Safari). Browsing the web on Linux is practically identical to browsing on Windows, but is much more secure and stable.

The following list gives the top reasons why Linux is easier to use than Windows:

1.  Package manager;
Installing applications in Linux is a breeze. Almost all Linux distributions have a package manager or “software center”, which allows users to install applications safely and easily. With Linux, there is no need to hunt down installation files off the web. This is similar to the “AppStore” on Apple devices such as the iPhone and other smart phones.  Package managers make installing and uninstalling software very easy, and allow users to browse packages by category and sort by popularity. Software in the package managers are well maintained, and allows users to update all programs at once with the click of a button. In Windows, users have to update each program individually, and programs have to be downloaded from websites. When users install software with a package manager, they can trust the applications are safe because they are downloaded from a trusted source.

The Ubuntu package manager called “Ubuntu Software Center” makes it very easy to install programs, similar to package managers in smart phones.

2,  Excellent hardware support;
Linux has excellent out-of-the-box hardware support. No more hunting down drivers or using discs to get your devices working. Just plug your device in, and no setup is required. With some devices that use proprietary drivers, you might have to use a utility to install. Linux distros like Ubuntu come with a utility called “Additional Drivers” which makes installing restricted drivers very easy.

3.  Better security and no need to worry about viruses, spyware, and malware;
When using Linux for your desktop or laptop PC, you won’t have to worry about viruses nearly as much as you would have to when using a Windows machine,   In the desktop environment, Linux almost never gets targeted with viruses, so unless you are running a full Linux server, you don’t have to worry about getting infected.  There is no confusing or expensive antivirus software slowing you down, and you don’t really have to worry about infections or having your system compromised.

Overall, Linux is much more secure than Windows and it’s much less likely you will ever get attacked by a hacker or have to worry about security threats. A lot of people assume Linux is secure only because it’s not as popular as Windows. This is likely one of the reasons, but their is much more to it than that.

Linux is much more restrictive with user permissions and has a clear separation from privileges. Almost all distributions of Linux have a package manager, which users install their software. This helps prevent viruses and vulnerabilities because the packages are regularly maintained and checked for exploits.. Privilege escalation plays a big part in Linux security. Even if something is compromised, most (if not all) processes these days don’t run with enough permissions to magnify that one breach into an entire system compromise (i.e. insertion of malware)

Linux is much more secure than Windows. On Linux there is no need for antivirus software, and no need to worry about viruses, spyware, adware, or malware.

4. Excellent free support;
Linux has a very large community of free support offered by users helping each other. There are free forums, chat rooms, and guides all throughout the internet.  The majority of Linux distributions also offer commercial technical support, so if the free support doesn’t meet your needs, this is an option as well.

5. Less maintenance required overall;
Unlike Windows, Linux requires almost no maintenance whatsoever. There is no defragmenting the hard drive, no malware/virus scans, and no utilities needed to keep it running smoothly.   Junk doesn’t pile up as easily in Linux, and unlike Windows, a factory restore, system restore, or full reinstall is rarely ever necessary.

6. Linux stays fast overtime, and doesn’t slow down like Windows;
After some time Windows tends to slow down.  The list of programs and services running in the background grows, and important system files become corrupted, leading to problems and a clunky computer. Having a slow computer makes using a computer very difficult and frustrating, and is something you don’t need to worry about if running Linux.

7. Developer friendly;
Developing your own software and applications on Linux is a breeze compared to Windows. No need to buy expensive software in order to write your own software. Everything is free and readily available. Linux is free, and the majority of Linux applications are open-source, which means you can easily see the source code that runs everything.  You are free to modify, edit, or redistribute the code. This gives users total freedom over their system, which is something not available in Windows.

9. Linux is extremely stable;
Linux rarely ever crashes or gets serious errors, and is much more stable overall than Windows. There is a reason that large corporations and the majority of web servers that power the web use Linux. Reliability is important. Computers are not going to have a good experience if their computer is constantly crashing and having bugs. Linux does not get BSOD (Blue Screen’s of Death), and almost never crashes. I’ve been running Linux since 1999, and have never had a serious crash or problem with Linux, or an infection of any kind.  Overall Linux doesn’t get serious bugs as Windows, and if the problem ever does arise, its very easy to boot to a Linux live disc and fix.

10. Linux is FOSS (free / open source);
Linux itself is completely free, and the vast majority of Linux applications are free and open-source.  This gives users freedom to experiment and utilize software and use features that normally you’d have to pay big bucks for if using Windows.  Linux being free also makes it easier to repair.  For example, if your hard drive crashes in Windows you have to have a functioning factory restore partition, or a Windows disc in order to do a full reinstall.  Getting a Windows disc will easily cost over $100, whereas with Linux, creating a disc is free and easy to download.  Upgrading to the newest version of Linux is also free, whereas with Windows it will cost you big bucks.

11. You can run Linux from a CD, DVD, or USB drive without installing it.
You can very easily run Linux directly from a CD, DVD, or USB flash stick, even if your computer has a broken or missing hard drive! This is very useful if you are having any problems with your current Linux installation, and need to fix problems, backup files, or recover data.  This is also useful if you want to use Linux on PC but don’t want to commit to installing.
NOTE: It’s also possible to run Windows live with BartPE, but it’s much difficult to setup than Linux and is very buggy and slow.

It’s very easy to run Linux live without installing from a CD, DVD, or USB flash stick. You can even run Linux on a computer without a hard drive! (Picture from PCdesktopwallpaper.com)

12. Very easy to setup advanced networking of almost any kind.
Linux is the best choice for networking. With a couple simple commands or clicks, Linux users can easily setup advanced networking. It’s SUPER easy to setup a full web server, file server, or screen sharing.  Networking between other computers is a breeze, even if they are running a different operating system.

13. Easy to install
Linux is now very easy to install. After you boot to the CD,DVD, or USB flash stick, you can choose to install side by side Windows, or erase the entire disc and install Linux. Ubuntu even has a Windows installed (WUBI), which allows users to install Ubuntu from within Windows, sort of like its a Windows application.  The installation is painless and child’s play compared to installing Windows.

Nowadays, Installing Linux is very simple. You can easily install side-by-side Windows. Overall, Linux is easier and less painful to install than Windows.

14. Linux is faster and runs well on old PC’s
Linux runs faster than Windows. There are bare-bone distributions that have a very minimalistic graphical interface, but are lightening fast, even on very old computers.

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Do you disagree and think Windows is easier to use than Windows? Please comment and give your thoughts.

Article by Cameron Voss of Eugene Computer Geeks. Cameron is an experienced Linux user and a computer technician / web designer in the Eugene, Oregon area.

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5 Pitfalls You Will Want To Avoid When Implementing New Software For Your Business

Technology is an important part of modern business and companies are constantly looking for the best ways to perform essential tasks. If you have a business, you have to look for the best technology that will ensure that you remain competitive in your industry. Any company that is still stuck in the past, doing things the same way they have been done for decades, truly risks losing out. Technology enhances efficiency by allowing tasks to be completed faster and more accurately.

There are many technology systems and software programs available and it is important to look for the best ones for every situation. Before you buy software, you should carry out research so that you avoid making costly mistakes. Many businesses face problems when implementing new systems because they fail to plan before investing in the systems. You can avoid falling into the same problems by doing your homework. Following are some of the pitfalls you should look out for:

Not knowing what you are getting

One common mistake that businesses make is not knowing exactly what they are getting themselves into. They sign up for services without establishing what they are buying. This is a common problem especially when companies hire IT service providers.

They fail to understand the terms of the agreement and they end up paying more than they have expected, certainly not lesser than they thought! It is very important to read the agreement and understand every clause, and the terms and conditions before you sign anything.

Failing to consult within the company

Another common mistake that people make is to invest in systems without finding out the needs of the company. Make sure that you avoid making a unilateral decision by consulting all the departments that will use the systems. The system should allow information to be passed easily between departments to avoid issues. The wrong system can actually do more harm than good. It is important for all the department heads to agree on systems that will benefit the entire organization.

Paying more than is necessary

When you do not know what is available in the market, you are likely to end up paying more than you should. Many companies make the mistake of overpaying for software services because they do not understand exactly what they are getting. Many service providers offer payment plans that look good on the onset because you do not have to pay much initially. However, the monthly, quarterly or annual payments often turn out to be quite exorbitant and you can end up overpaying. This is dangerous because you can discover that you do not have adequate funds to continue paying for the service.

Failing to research the options adequately

One way that many businesses often end up with systems that they do not need is by failing to research the options available. By failing to research what is available, you can end up investing in software that does not have the features you need. Before you buy any system, you should start by identifying exactly what you need. You should never buy software until you know exactly how it will improve your current situation. The reason to invest in new technology is so that you can get a better way to perform essential functions. It is also important to note that improvements in technology means that something new and more advanced is always round the corner.

Failing to get a service level contract

It is very important to ensure that you look for a vendor who offers an acceptable quality of service. Consider your specific needs so that you ensure that you are getting the services you require. Some service providers offer service level agreements as part of the contract but others do not. This should be an important factor when you are considering where to buy the system. Make sure that you look for a software vendor who will meet your requirements and find out the penalties for failure to keep the agreement.

When buying software, find out how the system performs and establish if you need to provide training for your employees. By researching on the service provider, you can find out their level of performance and the quality of service. This will help you to avoid disappointments in the future. Also, make sure that you take into account all the hidden costs before making the investment.

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New and Affordable Technology is Making Communication Easier

Ever since the introduction of the telephone in the late 19th century, technology has gradually made it easier and more affordable than ever to communicate with one another. In the early 90s, however, the game changed entirely with the introduction of the Internet.

Now that millions of computers were interconnected, mankind could communicate in a brand new way that was not only more efficient, but far more affordable. Today, advances in both online and phone technology continue to make communication easy and affordable. Needless to say, Alexander Graham Bell would be proud!

E-MAIL

One of the first ways the Internet allowed people to communicate was through e-mail. For the first time ever, we were able to send completely digital correspondence in a way that could be easily read, stored, indexed, and even printed. Although it came at a heavy loss to the postal service, it completely revolutionized the way we communicate. No longer did we have to manual delivery mail, spreadsheets, or files! They could all be sent and received virtually.

To this day, e-mail is one of the most affordable methods of communication for anyone with an Internet connection. With many websites offering free web-based mail, it’s never been easier to use!

Technology is making communication easier

INSTANT MESSAGING

Now that mail and documents could be sent through the wires, the next big step was to digitize conversation. This was achieved with instant messaging that originally involved downloading some form of software and communicating with people on a list of contacts. Although many forms of instant messaging still use this format, it’s evolved into other forms: With live online chat rooms and instant messaging features built into many major web services, we’re now able to communicate online almost as efficiently as we do in real life; and it’s usually free!

INTERNET PHONE

Unlike traditional telecommunications that necessitate telephone lines or devoted wireless networks, the Internet is able to provide a connection in a multitude of ways. In fact, today we can even use cellular networks to get online, making the Internet more accessible than ever before. With the affordable functionality of the Internet alongside the ability to record and send voices through the computer, Internet-based phone services soon became exceeding popular. Unlike normal phone plans that usually require contracts and impose location and minute-based limitations, the Internet allows us to connect with people from all over the world for one low price: The cost to connect.

As many people find talking online far cheaper than paying hundreds of dollars a month for pricey international calls, Internet phone services are becoming increasingly popular.

VIDEO CHAT

With the advanced inter-connectivity and features of the Internet coupled with the ability to send both sound and video in real time between computers, it was online a matter of time until video chat was developed. Today, Internet users have access to a wide range of free video chat programs. These have the same affordable benefits as Internet phone services do, but with the added bonus of being able to communicate virtually face-to-face.

CELL PHONES

Although often not quite as cheap as Internet-based services, cell phones are still the leaders of modern telecommunication. With many smart phones offering phone, text messaging, Internet access, and much more, we’re now able to use and access all of the previously mentioned technologies – e-mail, instant messaging, etc. – through convenient and sleek devices.

However, not all cell phones have these features; for the time being, those that do can be expensive. The cell phone itself, however, is still an incredible technological advancement that allows us to communicate from almost anywhere. With some prepaid cell phones going for as little as $10, they continue to be one of the most convenient and affordable ways to keep in touch.

As technology continues to develop, new and cheaper ways of communicating become available to billions of people all over the world. While technology has at times hindered communication, with new advances, communication technology can bring people closer than ever before.

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