Linux Resources
Ubuntu - Other Linux Distributions - What is Linux?
Linux Help and Documentation - The Desktop Environment
The Future of Linux - Obtaining On-Site Linux Help
Ubuntu
Ubuntu: Community Linux
Ubuntu is a newer Linux distribution that is easier to use than most. It is strongly recommended.
- It is built as a community model, like Firefox and OpenOffice.
- It is free to download and use for both personal and commercial use.
- It offers both community (free) and paid support.
- Most users will be interested in the desktop edition but there is also a server edition.
- The Netrbook Remix is designed for the smaller screens of the newer portable mini-laptops. It has a different installer too, since there is no CD in these machines.
- It's easy to try and will work on most PC hardware. If you wish to try Ubuntu, you can boot into a virtual copy from the CD to see what it is like without having to worry about your existing operating system and software.
- How And Why I Made The Switch From Vista To Linux (Ubuntu / Kubuntu) is an excellent overview of the ease and advantages of switching to Ubuntu (Kubuntu is a version of Ubuntu with a KDE desktop).
Linux Distributions
There are various versions of Linux that have been developed (generally referred to as distributions).
Linux is Open Source
The Open Source movement means that the source code for the operating system must be made available for any programs using previous Open Source program code (unlike companies like Microsoft that refuse others the ability to see or modify their program source code). Therefore, thousands of people around the world can work on problems, develop new hardware drivers, and create software applications for Linux.
The Cathedral and the Bazaar will give you a good insight to the advantages of the Open Source movement and how it is helping to shape Linux.
Common Linux Distributions
Some of the better known distributions are:
- Red Hat.
- Mandriva Linux (formerly Mandrake).
- Ubuntu (more above)
- Debian GNU/Linux.
- Slackware Linux.
- S.u.S.E. Linux.
Other Distributions
There are many other Linux distributions that you might wish to explore and ISOs (CD images) can be downloaded from TuxCDs.com or LinuxHelp.net.
What is Linux?
Linux is a Unix derivative that has become a hot news item in the last few years. Linux is not that new, only the amount of attention it is getting is new. The backbone of the Internet is built on Unix and one of the features of Linux is the ability to use low-cost or free server software to run your network or Internet server.
Linux offers a number of advantages compared to most other operating systems:
- Most Linux distributions have a free downloadable version that is fully functional.
- Phone and e-mail support is available with the commercial distributions.
- Linux is developed as open source software which means that many independent individuals are working on improvements.
- Linux's modular design means you can install and use anything from a command-line version on a single 3.5" floppy to a fully enabled graphic desktop running high-powered Internet and business software to a server providing information to dozens of users. Whatever edition, you have a great deal of flexibility in your installation choices.
- Security is built into Linux which makes it easier to protect your network or workstation data from hacking and other unauthorized access.
Linux Help and Documentation
Linux Information Sites
There are numerous sites on the Internet that provide an incredible amount of information. Don't forget to check the various newsgroups for messages that provide solutions to problems you are experiencing with Linux installation or your routine maintenance issues.
- Linux.org.
- Victoria Linux Users Group (VLUG).
Linux Documentation
There are several sources of information about installing, configuring and administrating Linux. Besides the MAN (manual) pages that usually accompany your distribution you will find various HOWTOs or mini-tutorials on the Web.
- The Linux Documentation Project has a series of HOWTOs, guides FAQs and man pages (help on individual commands).
- A quick reference guide for common UNIX commands.
- Quick Reference Cards including a number of Linux and Unix entries.
- Linux Online Documentation.
- The Linux Documentation Project has HOWTOs, Guides and FAQs.
- Linux Journal provides a starting place for Linux users. Check the Community Resources for resources.
- Google's Linux Search can help locate Linux specific resources.
The Desktop Environment
The GUI
X Windows is the GUI (Graphic User Interface) for Linux. It is much more flexible than either the Windows or Macintosh environments because it is not the entire operating system. This makes X Windows very powerful and configurable. Most users will have all three components installed, but they are not all necessary for Linux to run.
X Servers
Providing the support for the video card and monitor and basic window management.
- XFree86 X server.
- Accelerated-X commercial X server.
Window Managers
These provide the window controls, buttons, menus and control panels for Linux distributions.
Desktop Environments
What provides the common "look and feel" to the desktop.
The components that are available to you will depend upon the distribution you are using and the capabilities of your hardware. Because of the nature of Linux you can change the look of your distribution by changing the various components of the desktop environment.
The Future of Linux
Linux has been acclaimed as the operating system that will replace Microsoft Windows as the standard operating system in the next few years.
This is potentially true, but there is much that will need to be improved before this will happen. Windows is no longer easier to install (try surfing the Web from a virtual Windows install booted from a CD like you can with Ubuntu!) but it supports a massive number of commercial and shareware applications.
Issues With Linux
The more mature Windows and Macintosh operating systems have features are either now available in some Linux distributions (such as Ubuntu) or are closer to reality than a few years ago.
Some of the Linux issues include the following:
Drivers
Many hardware manufacturers traditionally do not provide drivers written for Linux for their current offerings. This means dependence on drivers provided by the Open Source community, and installation is not usually a matter of inserting a CD or floppy and hitting Enter.
This is gradually changing as manufacturers realize that commercial interest in Linux is increasing. I was pleasantly surprised when a HP inkjet printer was automatically configured and worked without having to search for drivers in a Ubuntu 8.0.4 installation.
Software
There are excellent alternatives to Microsoft Office like OpenOffice.org and to Photoshop like the amazingly-powerful GIMP graphics program. These are not yet as well known to the average user, but as Windows users start to use these alternatives, they will become better known.
However, some popular software is not available for Linux such as accounting software and most games (see The Linux Game Tome). This is likely to change as Linux grows more popular and people see alternatives to the issues with Vista.
Updates
Just like DOS was more complex to use than Windows when it came to backups, updates and upgrades, Linux was known for its difficulties in this area. People had to log in as the superuser (root) and type a series of commands much like older DOS systems. The development of the Red Hat RPM installation process is a major step in this direction and Ubuntu's tracking of needed files with automatic download is making this much easier.
Linux Advantages
As these issues and others are addressed, Linux may gain a much larger share of the market. It does offer many advantages to Microsoft Windows operating systems including the following:
- You can try Linux distributions like Ubuntu by booting from the CD. While not fully functional (Internet plugins like Flash and Java are not available unless you install Ubuntu), I was able to find my wireless service, view files on networked computers and download a newer version of the OS—all from a virtual install booted from a CD. Try that with Vista!
- Linux built its reputation for a very stable operating system. Users don't need to reboot to address frequent operating system errors as they routinely do in Windows.
- Security is excellent in Linux, unlike Windows 9x (and, to a lesser degree, Windows XP) where it is almost non-existent, nor is it as annoying as it is in Vista.
- Linux is much quicker to respond to user demands for improvements and drivers for hardware not provided by the manufacturer. The concept of Open Source ensures that will continue to be true in the future.
- Multiple distributions means that there is true competition unlike Windows where sheer size and a monopoly limit true improvements. Linux capabilities have increased dramatically over the last several years.
- There is no comparison to the price for Linux distributions. Most have a "free" downloadable version, and commercial distributions routinely sell for less than $50.
Rockin' on without Microsoft tells the story of one businessman that has successfully abandoned Microsoft products for Linux.
Help Getting Started
If you would like some help installing Linux or getting your hardware peripherals to work with Linux please contact us.
www.RussHarvey.bc.ca/resources/linux.html
Updated: October 2, 2009
