Cristine Reyes

CISB11

07/01/2009

                To first explain what Linux is, I first have to explain the operating system it is based off of, UNIX. UNIX was first developed in the 1960’s by AT&T Bell Laboratories and is an operating system that can be run on different computer systems. UNIX was not owned by any leading computer system and became the first operating system that could be enhanced by anyone. UNIX, however, was very expensive and required a lot of computer knowledge to be able to install, maintain, and upgrade it. Since UNIX is an open operating system, many different versions of it have come out. One of these versions is Linux. Linux’s kernel, or the central part of it’s operating system, was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linux was designed to provide PC users with a low-cost or free alternative to other operating systems, and has grown more and more in popularity recently. It is known as being a very fast and reliable operating system, which drives it’s popularity among users who are tired of other operating systems offered today, like Windows and Mac OS.

                Linux distributions are collections of software applications to be used on the Linux system. The applications include everything from word processing to multimedia players that allow users to perform desired tasks with the Linux operating system. There are numerous Linux distributions that have been created by individuals, technology communities, and companies and vary by the user’s intention of how to use the system. You can download a distribution that is very complete or one that is very minimal, allowing one to run it from a disk. One distribution that a person can download is called openSUSE , which is a general use operating system sponsored by a global software corporation called Novell. Novell applications are maintained and updated by a community called the openSUSE project. This distribution, like many Linux distribution, offers OpenOffice, a free and downloadable software application, as a productivity suite for reading and creating different document formats. It also includes software for CD/DVD burning, audio playback, movie playback, and a security application, among others. Another distribution is Slackware, one of the earliest Linux distributions that is still being maintained. Slackware was created in 1993 by Patrick Volkerding. Slackware’s focus is to be simple and reliable. The idea of simple however refers to system design and not ease of use. There are not many graphical user interfaces to configure the system, so knowledge of computer is needed to be able to configure the system. This leaves a lot of flexibility for users, but is not user friendly for those who are not knowledgeable about operating systems.

                There are numerous ways to download Linux distributions from downloading online, to ordering CDs, to buying books with accompanying CDs. Two of the most convenient ways I have found to download distribution is over the internet and by ordering CDs. Downloading from the internet can be the most convenient, because you can do it from home and don’t have to wait for CDs or books to be delivered. It will, however require a fast internet connection, because the downloads can be very large. Ordering CD’s with the distribution from sites is another way to install these distributions and can easily be found from distributions’ websites or through other online vendors who sell the installation CDs. Distributions also do not require you to install them into your hard drive. Many versions allow you to save the distributions to CDs that your computer can boot from automatically.

                One of the most popular Linux suites offered is OpenOffice, which I mentioned above. Open office is a productivity suite is comparable to Microsoft Office. It allows you to create and edit word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and also includes drawing programs. A good office suite is important because it is what the majority of people use their computers for. Another popular application is Firefox. Firefox is a free internet browser that many people who don’t even use Linux use as a browser. It was developed by Mozilla and has quickly come to be known as the best internet browser. Features include tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, and enhanced security features like virus scanning and alerts. I personally have downloaded and use Firefox and would never consider going back to other browsers like Internet Explorer or Netscape.

                One of the biggest and probably most important advantages of Linux is cost and thus ease of distribution.  Operating systems like Microsoft Windows Home Edition cost well over $200 for the complete software and around $50 to upgrade from an older version of Windows. Linux, however, can be downloaded for much cheaper and even in some cases, free. One of the disadvantages of Linux, however, is that much of the drivers needed to run hardware peripherals are only written for Microsoft Windows, because they have such a large market share. Drivers are rarely written so that hardware can run on Linux and instead opt to release technical specifications on the hardware so that someone in the Linux community can write a driver. Therefore, if a Linux user buys a new piece of hardware it may take some time before it actually works on their PC.