Linux Community Magazine

There is currently alot of interest and curiosity with the Linux / Unix operating systems becoming more widely used, well-known, and available. They have been around since the mid 90's, and used mostly as a server platform until recently - mostly due to the increased user-friendliness of recent releases - along with the integration of, and compatibility with, the Mozilla Firefox browser, Google's Chrome browser, the Openoffice.org program suite (ODF - Open Document Format compatible with the Microsoft Office Products), the GIMP graphics editor and many others - all of which are free and open source as well.

Linux is the fastest growing OS worldwide - as it is not only freely available in many different versions - (or distros), but compatible with much of the software and programs we are already using and familiar with. In addition, Linux systems are immune to the malware and security threats that most other operating systems continue to remain vulnerable to. You don't have to invest in or concern yourself with antivirus programs or security suites at all. For your outgoing web applications, it features an MAC (Mandatory Access Control) activated by default for built-in protection. To me - this stuff sells itself - even though it's not for sale.....This article will benefit those who are new to Linux and are interested in understanding what the current trend is all about. Linux is based on the free open source software (FOSS), which means that the source code is free to view, free to use, modify, apply and share in any way you see fit. It is released and protected under the GN U General Public License. The GNU License prohibits any 'for profit' development or releases of independent versions or variations thereof. This means that it is free to use, free to modify, and free to share without the usual restrictions that come with proprietary and 'for profit' software - not to mention free of malware or the need for antivirus or security software. GNU and supporters of open source create superior alternatives to the restrictions and confines of the more popular and expensive proprietary software and OS, as well as their developers and corporations. It has gained significant momentum as resourceful and innovative developers are consistantly improving upon an already very flexible and reliable product profile.

There is growing intrigue toward Linux as it is (aside from being free of charge and free of malware) becoming more popular among average PC users who are finding it easy to install and use. A more favorable and flexible user interface, combined with optimal speed and overall system performance, is now widely distributed by many Linux developers, and in many different forms. It has a reputation for being extremely dependable as there is no mysterious behavior such as the unexpected interruptions, freezes, shutdowns, restarts, death screens.....you know the ones....

Many Windows users are finding the transition surprisingly easy, and the results gratifying. I personally haven't heard of anyone making the switch to Linux, and then going back due to dissatisfaction with the installation, functionality, or interface. Actually, quite the opposite. I've seen several YouTube videos sharing their favorable experiences in switching to a Linux distro. Check 'em out. Though they all seem to agree that there is a learning curve, depending on your level of experience with the Unix / Linux basic protocol and functionality. It is different - as different programs designed to do the same thing vary in their interface or performance. Any learning required will be well worth it and there are numerous resources and tutorials available as you go. There are even Linux groups and forums online and off - that readily offer support and share knowledge and experience as needed. A Linux 12 step?

One of the first things people get confused over is the various names and terms associated with the various distributions available. These mostly distinguish the various features or preferences. There is an extensive selection depending on what appeals to you - such as interface, bundled software, level of experience, functionality, the look and feel, and others. Other terms refer to the interface, file systems, email client, browsers, etc....

If you are wondering what exactly you're getting yourself into and would like to try it out first, there are several Linux versions available as downloadable live CD or DVDs - bootable from your CD-ROM. Currently, Knoppix is available as a live CD download and includes most features and programs you would most likely use. It boots from the CD or DVD and you don't have to install anything - probably a good way to start without committing to virtual machines, partitioning or formatting your hard drive.

There are hundreds of versions or distributions of the Linux OS. Some are well known and widely used which you may be familiar with. Ubuntu is probably the most widely used and well known. Linux Mint is also widely used and both are said to be very easy to install and configure. Kubuntu is right behind it and is similar to Ubuntu and features the KDE interface. Gnome is another popular user interface and considered very stable. Konqueror is the default KHTML web browser / file mgr. Evolution and Kmail are available email client programs.

In conclusion, any decision to use Linux will be a rewarding and educational experience. It is reliable, economical, capable, flexible and fast. There is literally an endless supply of this stuff and it really depends on personal preference and a bit of research. Experience will likely be your best teacher as to its functionality and your personal preference in the end.

There are two major web-hosting platforms, which have become the most dominant in the entire industry today. One is Linux and the other is Windows platform.

Both are greatly successful and have their own pros and cons. Thus, before a person decides to choose any one out of them they need to understand what they can gain from these two hosting solutions and which one is better for their requirement.

Linux web hosting has increased its popularity steadily over the time. This is all because so reason like price, security and reliability provide by this server. Linux web hosting India services offer much more benefits over its competitors and contemporaries rather than the windows.

Linux server hosting has a constant competition with windows server. The major reason in choosing this type of web hosting service is that your websites becomes easily accessible to the visitors and they do not have to wait for a long time. It offers an open source software platform with more flexibility. Linux OS gives flexibility of using operating system according to customer needs and it is a ranked web hosting for value of money and reliability.A Linux based website can be easily converted to windows based website while it is not the same for windows, as it is a more complicated procedure. It gives you the opportunity to work with combination of different databases such as MySQL, PHP. It is much more compatible than any other is and can even work with other platforms efficiently and without any inconvenience.

Linux is a much more stable and secure and the attacks are found to be lesser. In addition, it provides round the clock customer service and supports the hosting problem at an explosive rate. In case of windows the maintenance, sustaining and avoidance cost are all being transferred to end customers, which are the web masters, this is the reason why windows solutions are a lot more expensive as compared to Linux solutions.

Ecommerce has emerged out as one of the biggest aspects of hosting. Not all hosting providers support ecommerce features equally well, and it also varies as per the hosting environment. In comparison to windows web hosting server Linux hosting environment provides full support to all kinds of ecommerce features. Therefore, even if you are planning to launch an ecommerce website or an online store, you can make use of Linux web hosting. Linux is ideal for ecommerce related websites, as they require higher security levels, reliability and stability, which is offered by Linux hosting environment.

Major pros of Linux hosting

It is of course Open source and hence it is absolutely free.

Linux is a lot more reliable and stable

Linux based web hosting is cheaper and easier to maintain

Web hosts have the flexibility to use open source goodies

Linux web hosting has become a much popular amongst web professionals and programmers and has been considered as the most affordable solution giving a wide range of facilities to wide variety of users. It is also recommended for the advanced website builders.

Linux hosting has become very popular in recent times. Worldwide, in excess of 60% of internet servers now use the Linux operating system and, starting from its very humble start in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's "mass collaboration and free software" undertaking of the mid 1980s, Linux has expanded to become the world's dominant hosting solution.

The Linux operating system is actually an open source software collaboration project. Under the terms and conditions of the Linux GNU General Public License, all the source code that makes this particular operating system work may be readily modified by absolutely everyone.

The "open source" approach to code advancement has permitted application writers from across the globe to contribute to the development and evolution of this distinctive operating system. This perspective contrasts dramatically with organizations like Microsoft, who still protect jealously the secrets of all their primary systems and products. Lots of experts predicted the open source approach to software development would inevitably result in terribly bloated software which was riddled with flaws and inconsistencies. The truth is, the opposite has turned out to be true and Linux has proved to be an exceptionally stable and well-designed operating system.

Internet hosting firms very quickly realized that providing Linux hosting could provide them with many clear advantages. It's an inexpensive operating system to own and replace. It is really straightforward to set up, work with and maintain. It's powerful, stable, dependable and secure. And, most importantly, when the nearly inevitable variety of alterations and customizations are needed, the open character of the Linux project has ensured that a really wide range of skilled individuals and organizations are freely available.Many of the benefits that Linux offers hosting providers also are very important for webmasters and web developers. Outstanding reliability means that hosting firms running Linux-based systems will usually have exceptional (in other words, extremely low) down time figures, and their hosting systems tend to be extremely resistant to virus attack. The latter is mainly because virus writers still tend to focus on Windows operating systems, and this natura lly may change in the long term future. Nevertheless, for the moment, hosting security is nevertheless a major advantage for Linux-based systems.

Even so, possibly the most important weapon in the Linux armory is the flexibility this system gives web developers to exploit other, highly popular, open source products including MySQL, XML, Python and PHP. All of these applications have grown in popularity together with Linux. The control and integration possibilities built into Linux have helped make it the obvious solution for both hosts and developers wanting to exploit these potent open source products.

As a final point, almost all Linux hosting systems now include the greatly popular cPanel control panel. It's probably this user-friendly interface, more than any other, that has proved to be the Linux killer application.

Linux hosting has become increasingly in recent years. In all parts of the world, more than 60% of network servers now run Linux operating system and, from its humble beginnings at the Massachusetts Institute for Comprehensive Cooperation technology and lines of the Draft Programmed of the mid-1980s, has grown to Linux to become the world's dominant solution free of charge.

Linux is open source software project cooperation. Under the terms and conditions of the Linux General Public License, all of the source code that makes this task the operating system can be modified freely by anyone at all.

Has allowed this open source" approach to the development of software code writers from all over the world to contribute to the development and evolution of this operating system is unique. This situation contrasts sharply with organizations such as Microsoft, who still jealously guard the secrets of all systems, and their products. Many observers predicted the approach of open source software development would inevitably lead to programs that were horribly bloated full of mistakes and contradictions. In fact, turned to the contrary be true, it has been shown to be a Linux operating system is extremely stable and well designed.

Web hosting companies quickly realized that Linux can be provided free of charge to provide a number of clear advantages. Which operating system their own and inexpensive to replace. It is very easy to install and use and maintenance. It is a powerful, stable, safe and reliable. More importantly, when asked to set almost inevitable modifications and customizations, has ensured the open nature of the project for Linux that a very wide range of individuals with expertise and non-freely available.

Many advantages that offer Linux hosting organizations are also important for webmasters and web developers. Excellent reliability means that the hosting companies run Linux systems will usually be based on the excellent (in other words, very low), down time, numbers, and their host tend to be very resistant to virus attack. The latter is largely due to virus writers still tend to focus on the Windows operating systems, and of course this may change in future. However, for a moment, and host security is still a big advantage of Linux systems on the basis .

However, perhaps the most important weapon in the arsenal of Linux is the freedom of this system allows Web developers to exploit others, extremely popular and open source products, such as cell Python, XML lobby. It has grown each of these systems in popular software along with Linux. Made the control options and integration at the heart of Linux as the logical choice for each of the hosts and developers who want to take advantage of this powerful open source product.

Finally, almost all Linux systems now come with hosting Control Panel, Control Panel is very popular. Perhaps this was easy to use interface, and more than anything else, which proved to be the killer application for Linux.

Most of the solutions to inquiries that newbies request are tucked absent in message boards and mailing lists, but these involve some dogged Internet hunting to ferret out. If you've just began using Ubuntu, a beneficial put to start is the Absolute Rookie Discuss in the Ubuntu forums.The ideas in this column are by no suggests as in depth, but they reply some of the inquiries I had when I to begin with moved from Windows to Linux. I've also included a record of software package that I've identified to be indispensable.How do I set up packages? As a Windows consumer, I was so used to downloading program from a Website web page and running an EXE file to install it. Points aren't that very simple in Linux since plans are usually dependent on other packages that also have to be set up. Offer managers preserve track of these dependencies to make positive the packages operate appropriately. On Ubuntu Linux, there are two simple approaches to set up software program. Use Includ e/Take away from the Applications menu or the Synaptic Offer Manager (System> Administration> Synaptic Package Manager), both equally of which will download an up-to-date listing of computer software readily available.Why does Linux hold asking me for a password? One reason Linux (and Mac OS X, which is also based on Unix) is rather protected from viruses and spyware is that the person desires to kind in a password every last time a new program is set up. This suggests it's much tougher to unintentionally set up malicious software program from the World-wide-web.But the place are my files? Linux uses the very same directory construction as other Unix-based running systems like OS X. The root is reserved for procedure files and features folders with cryptic names this sort of as bin, boot, dev, and and many others. You generally do not want to touch these files, and every time you try out to alter anything here, you will be asked for a password. On the other hand, you can publish information files to your residence folder (Spots> Dwelling Folder) with out these kinds of restrictions. In the root, this folder is identified in the "home" directory.There are two strong tools to enable you uncover packages and files: Beagle Search and Gnome Deskbar.Beagle Lookup indexes the contents of your tricky disk so that you can obtain what you need to have rapidly. To add the plan, go to Add/Take away, click on on Accessories and scroll down till you come across Search. Check the box following to it and click on the Use button. When Beagle is installed, you can come across it in Places> Lookup.Deskbar is a quite efficient launcher. uncompress the virtual machine files into a folderoperate the virtual machine playeropen (and run) the Linux virtual machineto operate a Linux command, open a terminal emulation window on the Linux desktop to get to the Linux command lineOnce you get a Linux virtual machine working, you can go to the Linux command line and operate Linux commands. This is the finest way to learn about how to do Linux administration tasks. And you can use Linux video tutorials along with your virtual machine to understand how to use Linux.