Desktop Linux Article
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One of the Best Server Operating Systems now powers your Desktop!
Over twenty years ago, a bunch of programmers around the world came together to write a clone of Unix that would be Free for all, not necessarily in cost, but in the way it can be used. Thus was born Linux. Such was the power of this community that today Linux challenges the best proprietary solutions around the world. For the past few years, Linux has been replacing proprietary Unix as well as Windows systems across servers around the world. However, very few people know that this absolutely rock-solid operating system is also available to regular home users for Free. Let us take a look at the various factors that make Linux a must-have on your desktop:
Security and Stability
Gone are the days when cheap meant low quality. Linux is based on the legendary Unix system, which is still considered by experts as being the most soundly designed operating systems ever. Due to this inheritance, Linux has proven to be a very stable and secure system. Its sound security model means that one no longer has to fight with viruses and malware.
Eye-Candy!
Many think of Linux as having an environment where you have to type in commands on a black console and get streams of text as a response. Projects such as the KDE, Gnome and XFCe desktop projects have long dispelled these misconceptions. These desktop systems give the user a vast number of choices for look and feel of the system, making their desktop usage experience a very personal one. Intuitively designed menus make it easy even for first time users to find the applications they want to use. Projects like Compiz and Beryl turn this pleasurable experience into pure excitement with transparent, burning, flying and melting windows, 3D desktops, cube desktops and more. There's something for everybody on the face of this world!
Software
Linux has a vast repository of software available for it for all the common as well as specialized tasks. And no, you don't have to know programming to install them. Installing software is even easier than hunting for them online and clicking on Next till you get the Finish button. All you have to do is fire up your Package Manager and search for software in it, select that software and click on Install.
- Educational Software: There is a large repository of educational software that aid students to get daily school concepts in an easier manner. If you want to get a computer for young children, make sure it has Linux installed as it comes with many educational games and learning aids that will help them grow. There are also a large number of teaching tools to aid school teachers plan out and deliver their lessons more effectively. Gcompris is one such software which aids in learning everything from computer concepts to algebra, science, geography, etc.
- Internet and Email: A default Linux installation comes fully internet ready with programs for your regular internet needs already installed. Evolution, KMail and Mozilla Thunderbird provide all professional emailing features without having to spend a penny. Firefox, currently one of the most popular web browsers around the world will guide you through the internet.
- Office Tools: All desktop Linux systems come with OpenOffice.org pre-installed. OpenOffice supports conversion of documents to PDF (Portable Document Format) so that you can distribute your documents across a variety of platforms and also have perfect print quality documents.
- Multimedia: There are a variety of applications available to play your MP3s, Video CDs, DVDs, etc. You may play MP3s and Audio CDs using XMMS or Amarok and videos, Video CDs and DVDs using Kaffeine or VLC Player.
- Graphics: Gimp and InkScape are perfect alternatives for Photoshop and Corel Draw to bring out wonderful graphics that will enhance your wedding card, brochure or blog. For Desk Top Publishing, there is a very useful software called Scribus. It is a very handy open source replacement for commercial DTP software and produces good results. You can export your work into PDF format which allows it to be viewed on other platforms too. Its PDF format can take upto 4000 dpi of image resolution. Use the PNG image format for best results.
- Gaming: You can even play games made for Windows, on Linux using Wine, a Windows Emulator. Apart from that, Linux has a large variety of Puzzle, arcade and strategy games which will get you completely hooked.
The best thing about software on Linux is choice. The user can choose from a large variety of software to suit their needs perfectly.
Cost
It's FREE! Yes, one can download a Linux distribution from the Internet for free and burn it onto a CD or DVD. Unlike proprietary Operating Systems like Windows, Mac OSX, etc. it is legal to copy and distribute Linux, true joy is in sharing after all! Linux is a community effort. In case, you don't have a high-speed internet connection, you can ask for a copy of a CD / DVD from you local GNU/Linux User Group or if in Mumbai, from CDs Available. You may choose to buy a blank CD-R / DVD-R/+R or pay the price of media.
Support
There is a large community of developers that contribute to the development of Linux. While most do it out of their personal interest, many projects are funded by industry bigwigs like IBM, HP and Sun Microsystems. For help in troubleshooting a situation, one may simply search the internet or ask the programmers themselves. For company based support, Redhat, Novell, etc provided paid support subscriptions which means that you need not sweat at all over any problems that you may encounter ever.
Live n' Kickin'
For those who want to first try out Linux without installing it on their hard disk, look no further. Linux is available from many vendors in the form of a 'Live CD'. You just have to boot from the CD or DVD and the entire operating system runs right out of the CD. There's absolutely no need to configure or install anything to get the ultimate experience in desktop computing! Another advantage of Linux's open source code is that you have modified versions of desktop linux that are very small in size, like 50 to 60 MB and can be booted live from your 128 MB USB pen drive. Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux are some of the popular ones. Puppy Linux can be booted through a CD and the CD can be removed to free the CD drive, while the live session is working from your RAM. It has all the necessary applications of a desktop pc.
How do I get it?
Linux based operating systems are packaged and distributed by various organizations and hence provide a vareity of choices. Here are some of the websites where you can download your free Linux CDs:
Live CDs are available for free download from many sources. Some of these are listed below:
Not only this, you can contact your local Linux User Group and get Linux CDs or DVDs at only the cost of the CD or DVD!
