Linux Community Magazine

As the holidays approach and we wind down to the end of the year, we all tend to look back on our accomplishments. This year, I am reminded that I am approaching the one-year anniversary of my move to a Linux desktop. For those of you who really want to learn Linux, I hope my experiences will help you take the plunge in 2010!

What prompted my move: I needed a more powerful laptop. I had my personal laptop configured as a dual-boot machine ever since Novell bought SUSE. Dual-boot is fine, but in my haste to get things done, I would inevitably drop back to Windows... and that just wasn't working out well. Time to dig in, work through the issues, and find new, powerful applications that ran on Linux.

The hardware: Last year's holiday season yielded some great deals. While I could have bought a new system with Linux installed so that driver availability would be guaranteed, I decided to take a gamble and buy a Dell Studio 15 off the shelf at Staples and work through any driver issues I might encounter. This unit has a 64 bit processor, a 320G hard drive, and 4G of RAM.

Driver issues: While SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 SP 2 ships with a great many drivers (including loads of printer drivers), I had two problematic pieces off hardware: the ATI graphics card and the Broadcom wireless card. After lots of searching, I finally found the best answers for my issues at If you go the Ubuntu route as many people do, the Ubuntu forums will be your best resources.

* For information on how to install Broadcom wireless drivers on SUSE please see: /SDB:Broadcom_(BCM4306)_WLAN_Installation_under_SUSE.

* For information on dealing with ATI's graphics cards, please see: /Ati.

* For a list of models and hardware compatible with SUSE, please see: /HCL or /.

Software replacement: One of the main reasons people avoid moving to Linux is that many pieces of commercially-available software are written only for Windows. There has been more movement to write for the Mac, but Linux support can lag behind. Enter the open source community. I found some great replacements for software I use regularly... and some of it actually works better than the Windows versions I had been using! Here are just a few of the applications I am currently running:

* Office Productivity Suite: If you have not looked at OpenOffice recently, you should definitely take some time to explore! The 3.0 version is greatly improved. I have been able to do most of what I need with OpenOffice, and actually like the Calc program better than Excel. SUSE also comes with Acrobat Reader and Planner (a project management program) already installed.

* Photo Editing: Gimp is included with SLED and does everything I would have used Paint for, and more.

* Diagrams: For the more advanced Visio functions, check out Dia. If you just need to do a flowchart or some other simple diagrams, I recommend using Draw in OpenOffice.

* Multifunction Printer Software: HP has some great tools included with their Officejet All-in-One printer/scanner/copier/fax machines. While I found the printer drivers for my unit (a 7410) included with SLED, I really wanted some of the more advanced functions (for example, scan to PDF) that I had on Windows. Enter the HP Toolbox found at /hplip-web/index.html. When this program installs, it uses xsane for scanning documents to image files for PDF. I got all of the functions I needed... plus, I no longer get those annoying update messages from Windows!

* Broadband Wireless: OK, I know this is actually hardware, but when I migrated I could not find a version of Verizon's VZAccess Manager to connect the card. After a bit of digging, I found that I could configure the card as a modem (which it is) and use Kinternet as my dialer. Quick and simple and no need to install more software. A quick search at /linux should get you the answers you need for your card. If not, instead of putting in the card name, try searching on "EVDO card."

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I have been working with this laptop since last December and absolutely love it. The only way to truly learn Linux is to work with it every day. If you are bored over your Christmas break and want to play, give Linux a try. I will never go back!

Copyright 2009, Uptime NetManagement, Inc.

Open SUSE is an operating system that is built on the top of Linux Kernel. It is available as OpenSUSE 10.x and 11.x series. This operating system includes an installation and administration utility called YaST2, which is a powerful installation and system management tool. But at times, you observe that while updating your operating system using Yast2, it fails with unexpected errors. The file system might get corrupt due to the occurrence of such errors. In such situations, you need to format the hard drive and restore data from an updated and valid data backup. But, if you face any issues while restoring lost data from the backup or it is not up-to-date or non-existent, Data Recovery Linux applications can be used to extract the lost or inaccessible data.

Consider a practical scenario, you try to update your operating system openSUSE10.3 to 11.0 and it fails due to connection failure. After this, when you boot your system, it crashes and the boot process fails. The original desktop environment remains the same but boot menu displays openSUSE 11.0. Additionally, when you run a disk check utility, you get file system errors like:

unreadable or no valid ext2 data

Cause

The above issue occurs if these conditions are true:

Due to connection failure, there has been partial installation of openSUSE 11.0

One or more file system metadata structures (generally Superblock) are corrupted or damaged

Superblock is the key data structure that holds file system information as file system type, location of data packets, file system size etc.

Solution

To solve this issue, you need to follow these steps:Run fsck using a boot disk. It is the command-line tool that allows you to solve most of the file system corruption issues. If superblock corruption is the issue, you need to replace it with alternate SuperblockFormat the hard drive and reinstall the operating system, if you continue to encounter the same issue. The lost data can be restored from backup.

If you find that data backup is invalid and is not able to restore the required information or is absent, Linux Data Recovery tools can be used. Such software use powerful scanning algorithms to recover the lost data in a safe manner. With self-explanatory user interface, advanced recovery features and read-only design, these Data Recovery Linux applications work as effective data recovery tools.

Stellar Phoenix Linux Data Recovery is a powerful Linux Data Recovery application to recover the lost or deleted data. The software comes with advanced features like RAW File Recovery, Disk Imaging, File Filter etc. It supports Ext2, Ext3 and Reiser FS file systems. The tool is compatible with almost all Linux distributions like SUSE, Red Hat, SlackWare, Turbo Linux, Gentoo etc.

Virus infections are common place on the internet. The virtual world has a myriad of various forms of malware programs. The victims of such contamination are especially those who like to download materials from the internet. People should avoid sites that they are not used to since they can are breeding grounds for various forms of malware. The most important thing to keep in mind is that even the best antivirus programs can't protect the computer system from certain viruses.It's very important to know where to download information and the sites that should be no-go zones. There are assured tips that people can use when downloading information from the internet. These tips are helpful pointers in protecting a PC from virus infections.Firstly, the most important precautionary measure is to avoid e-mails that are from suspicious senders. People should not open e-mails that are questionable. Advice should be sought from more informed parties before opening such emails. The mo st common infections occur when people open mails from unfamiliar senders without being distrustful of their motives.If there is a need to download certain programs, they should be obtained from websites that are trusted and are the direct owners of the programs. Downloading software cracks and key gens is also another common means of PC virus infection. It's recommended to buy clean and genuine applications from trusted vendors. This will save one a lot from virus losses instead of going for second strings that snap easily.To get full protection from viruses, the right software should be used. The most suitable antivirus program varies with each machine. If the PC is mostly used to browse, the virus protection agent should have an internet security feature. The antivirus used should be designed for the particular purpose of the machine. There are virus defense agencies that are specifically designed for scanning e-mails while there are those that are meant to remove Trojan worms from computers.The next tip involves not using software from sources that are unknown. Commercially sold antivirus programs available in DVDs should be a wise alternative. These genuine applications can also be sent through flash or via an email attachment from the manufacturers. Certain measures should be taken even when the best antivirus program is installed in a computer. People who store their precious information in a computer instead of an external hard drive or any other external storage means they should have an operating system that has more security features. Windows is one such operating system because the numbers of antivirus programs that are compatible with it are many. However, the major reason why the operating system has so many compatible programs is that it is a target for most viruses. If one is not sure about the program that is most effective in protecting a computer system against downloadable viruses, they should use Mac or Linux.In case there is suspicion of a known virus infection, the user should research on the malware on the web so that they get as much information as possible on how to eliminate the malicious software and :protect a PC from viruses. There could be a number of people who may have been affected by the same virus and provided a solution for its eradication.

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It tropical island very important that your apparatus meets the bare minimum specs on the way to wayward the racing games indicative PC of your choice: a person prefer closer to have tv card memory, a good idea guy CPU speed, all set challenging drive area and also an advisable performing system.If an individual need on the way to sing an web site racing squeaky toy it island very crucial that your Internet relation has the bare minimum need pulse in direction of combat the game.Although greater number racing games connected with PC stay on cultivated a measure of the Windows running machine distinct toy vehicle developers be accurate ahead of time racing games that will probably reside compatible below exchange systems hope Mac or Linux.

Now that the foot orthotics swap destination in constant range it is untold a good idea for racing games developers towards purchase their your head run-a-way constructing as the adolescent in addition to upgraded hardware will certainly perpetuate further challenging graphics in addition to sounds.To tack in opposition to the adventure of racing games with PC it isle nowadays possible, for the duration of LAN bureau or remaining Internet connections, near perform an web site racing toy below crossbreed players.If your computer hardware meets the negligible list of specifications one may adore a racing squeaky toy like Test Drive Unlimited where a single produce in opposition to thrust rounded strain hundred skilled motorcycles also pursuit cars for the duration of one thousand miles of in front of you path and over avenue Hawaiian terrain.

In a racing squeaky toy intend Need indicative Speed Carbon a particular wining all sorts of things the races additionally rise above your take on racing crews as well as this is why you deliver closer to take round the city.High speed races, underground midnight races also awesome stunts continue at your fingertips in Adrenalin 2: Rush Hour.Play an internet racing doll and also contact the excite of a steering wheel race also the hype of victory.

You have two options when mating your desktop computer, laptop, netbook, tablet PC or smartphone to your television screen - With cables, or wirelessly. It is evident that the market for implementing wireless streaming technology for connecting devices together is rapidly expanding. This article aims to go through some of the most useful websites for connecting PC to TV, and discusses the various options the consumer has.

Connecting Computers to TVs With Wires:

Televisions do not normally support Ethernet cable connections. Instead, you will typically connect your laptop or desktop PC to a TV using one of the following types of audio-visual (AV) cables or input types:

HDMI (Type A), HDMI (Type B), Mini HDMI (Type C), Micro HDMI (Type D), HDMI (Type E), 3D HDMI (1.4 Type A), VGA (15 Pin D-Sub), Mini VGA, Mini DVI, Micro DVI, DVI-D (Digital), DVI-I (Integrated), DVI-A (Analogue), DisplayPort, Mini DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, USB (Type A), USB (Type B), Mini USB (Type A), Mini USB (Type B), Micro USB (Type A), Micro USB (Type B), Component, Composite, S-Video, SCARTSee also - PCmyTV

A scan converter is a device that translates the computer's video signal into standard TV formats. You may need to set up a scan converter to connect your computer and TV if, between them, the two do not support any compatible combination of AV cable technologies listed above. Newer televisions, however, generally support multiple types of digital inputs, and finding the right cable should not be too difficult.

Connecting Computers to TVs Wirelessly

As an alternative to using cables, you can also use Wi-Fi to connect computers and TVs wirelessly. Because televisions do not ordinarily support Wi-Fi, you will need to install a separate unit between the computer and TV. One common solution is called aWireless PC to TV system or Digital Media Receiver. These products connect via AV cable to the TV and supply Wi-Fi connections to any computer in the home.

Another wireless PC to TV connectivity option is based on Windows Media Center Edition (MCE). If you purchase a Windows XP or Windows Vista PC with the MCE application included, this system contains built in wireless connectivity support for streaming images to your television. Some of these systems also support TV tuner cards that allow your computer to receive incoming television signals. Finally, you can extend the capability of a Media Center PC across an entire wireless home network by installing a Media Center Extender product like the LInksys DMA2100.

See also - Wireless PC to TV

Pros and Cons of Connecting Computers and TVs

Networking your computers and TVs provides the most convenient sharing of multimedia images:

does not require connecting a digital camcorder or camera to the TY

can make the necessary connections with either Windows, Mac or Linux computers

with Media Center Extender or similar capability, can direct content from any home computer to the TV

You may also encounter a few challenges and limitations:

The screen resolution of older TVs is much lower than modern computer displays - your images and video may appear with lower quality when shown on the television

When using AV cables, you may need to relocate the laptop or PC very close to the television to reach

When using wireless connections, the effective range may be relatively short, depending on the equipment in use, due to the high volume of data involved in digital media

Hardware needed, especially the more advanced wireless gear, may be expensive to purchase

See also - Wireless PC to TV on Facebook