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Editions of LINUX: UBUNTU/ULTIMATE EDITION AND MINT
WHAT IS LINUX?
Linux refers to the family of Unix-like computer operating systems using the Linux kernel. The kernel was written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.
Linux and all the variants and other software application offered to the community free are known as Open Source Software
To more fully understand the concept please look at
Linux can be installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from mobile phones, tablet computers and video game consoles, to mainframes and supercomputers. Linux is predominantly known for its use in servers; in 2009 it held a server market share ranging between 20–40%. Most desktop computers run either Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X. However, desktop use of Linux has become increasingly popular, partly owing to the well supported Ubuntu and Mint distributions and the emergence of netbooks, netbooks requiring a lesser demand on the processor than Windows 7 Starter for instance.
Why and when would you want to use Linux as an Operating System? Quite a few reasons spring to mind. You might just be completely bored to death with M$ Windows, on the other hand you might want an OS that works out of the box, has a very good defence against virus, malware and spyware attacks. Then there is freedom...Linux is free, open source and there are MORE people working on the OS than M$ working on Windows. Linux offers a windows based environment which is pretty easy to use once played with. Another good point to realise is that Linux ses less resources than Windows; if you have an old tower pc or laptop running Win 98 for instance and has come to the point where even an electronic graveyard won't take it, wipe the old drive, load a variant of Linux and Hey Presto, new life to an old machine. Linux has come a long way and the window environment and the applications that come with the download are impressive to say the least! Wireless connection in the early days was a problem but since Ubuntu 9.04 and above nearly all wireless cards/adapters are recocognised and you will be on the interweb within 5 minutes of booting into Linux. The present Ubuntu edition is 10.04 with 10.10 due for general release in October. Work is already underway with 11.04 beta. The community is vibrant and the bug fixes are looked at by an army of dedicated volunteers. All releases are allocated the term LTS, Long Term Support. A virus attack in Linux is UNLIKELY but I think that may change in the future but it IS more secure than Windows. I run 10.04, 10.10 beta, Mint and UE with no antivirus scans to date. In fact, I research software on a regular basis and use Firefox in Linux without fear of having to run many scans. I do run Web of Trust though.
( wikipedia was used to source and verify )
As I said, Linux, for the most part, is free. Just download the .iso from their sites. However, if you want a slow burnt DVD I will supply one for a small fee (£3.00, this is not for the OS but the time taken to burn and the DVD disk). To copy same thereafter is not a problem. There are no licence restrictions and all updates are free as is upgrading to the next generation of Linux. Interestingly, there are different ways to try Linux before you make the massive step; getting rid of M$ Windows forever. Ubuntu can be installed within Windows via the WUBI instsaller. Using WUBI allows you to uninstall Ubuntu just as you would any other software installation. Ultimate Edition can't be installed in this way but you can partition your HDD and then install. You will have the quite nasty looking GRUB loader as your boot menu.
An alternative way to try almost any Linux distro is http://unetbootin.sourceforge.net/ . Just follow the instructions on this page.
The Linux Distro's here discussed are UBUNTU variants
MEANING of UBUNTU
1. 'human generosity' as well as humanity. 2. Free, given at no cost
Nelson Mandela explained Ubuntu as follows:
A traveller through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?
(reference; wikipedia)
So why Linux? Well, for a start it is free, will perform all your daily tasks, is resilient to virus attacks, has an Office Suite comparable to M$ Office versions 2003/2007/2010. Open Office is loaded automatically, no purchase necessary. So a good deal all round! Below are the Linux systems used and supplied by me; click the image for info / download. The 04 and 10 designation is the month of release, 04=April 10=October.
Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) current; (10.10 beta under test; consumer stable release October)
Ultimate Edition 2.7 (Gamers)
Installation instructions for Ultimate Edition 2.7 (2.8 up and coming)
Linux Mint
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