As for desktop managers, they have their own window manager and other tools that make you feel that you are working in Window! GNOME and KDE are most popular of these. GNOME stands for GNU Network Model Environment and KDE for K desktop Environment. They have tools that allow drag and drop, have panels and taskbar- almost like clones of windows.

Hardware compatibility problem and few applications that run on Linux

Well, most new distributions will detect and configure your hardware in a jiffy, unless you have some really old or exotic piece of hardware. All hardware are properly detected and their drivers installed. Only Win modems (internal modems driven by Window drivers) face problems.

As for software, there’s plenty. And most of it comes free-free for you to use, modify and configure according to your needs. Almost all excellent software for Linux is free and you don’t lose anything by giving it a try. You get free support on Net quickly on any query you may have. And you don’t even have to wipe out your Windows. Just get Linux on a different hard disk partition and free to switch between them as you please.

Other packages are commercial and you have to buy software-but this is mostly for software and training you need, and not for software itself. Sometimes, if you have Windows version (as a doom) you can download a small program that will allow you to play game in Linux. The games in Linux are of very high quality and features. You’ll enjoy them. Here what’s available?

Office suites: Star Office, Open Office, Applixware, Corel WordPerfect Graphics: GIMP, Corel Photo paint Music: XMMS, Free amp, Real Player Video: MTV, Xine Games: FreeCiv, Tux racer, Doom, Quake, Heretic, Unreal And list is growing.

Linux varieties for Home Users:

If there are so many people working on it. There’s likely to be many Linux versions too. Many companies working on Linux have come up with what are called Linux distributions. There are Linux versions that are compiled and packaged and released with additional software.

RedHat: Probably most popular and in many ways leading version. It’s currently in version 9. The installation and configuration is easy. A blue curve file manager and default GNOME desktop make it look simply stunning. It comes with a host of tools that allow usage as a server and as a workstation. The Red Hat Package Manger(RPM) format developed by Red Hat has almost become defector for software distribution in Linux world. Installing new software is a breeze. It also has an advanced and easy font management system that makes fonts in X Windows look cool.

Mandrake: Mandrake Linux is now in its 10 version. It can be installed on a native Windows Partition using Lin4Win tool, but this may slow machine down. It also lets you do a traditional Linux install into its own dedicated partition. Mandrake’s configuration and software installation is painless. It follows a slightly modified RPM architecture called mdk.rpm but most Red Hat software can also be used for Mandrake. The outstanding feature in this version is collection of window managers-eye-candy freaks will have a great time.

SUSE: From Germany comes Chameleon, SUSE. Now in its 8.x avatar, it has one of most extensive software packages compiled, and getting them installed is easy with yast (Yet another Software Tool) which gives a centralized interface from where you can pick and choose software to be installed. Among other things, SUSE comes with some stunning 3D games that showcase Linux gamming prowess

Corel/Xandross: Corel entered Linux market with Corel Linux a few years ago. Now it has merged into Xandross OS, which is based on Corel Linux. This is a Debian-type version, and can be installed without much fuss after resizing Windows partition. Xandross contains Crossover office, which is a refined retail version of WINE that lets you install and run many Microsoft apps.

Windows applications in Linux

Some applications have been ported over to Linux, other run with a program called WINE (Wine is Not an Emulator). Crossover, commercially available software also lets you use your Windows programs on Linux. VMWare is another program that lets you run Windows under Linux. Now many software companies have started developing high end software for Linux.

Bottom Line: The cool thing about Linux is that most software is free, and you can legitimately use them without worrying about piracy. If you’re worried that Linux won‘t look as pretty as windows can, all you have to do is check out some of cool Linux interfaces and Window managers. But you don’t find a lot of multimedia titles for Linux. And if you’re into a lot of these, Windows is in way to go. So if you have a PC that runs both, you can easily switch between two, and get best of both worlds.

You'll find your access to internet a little more complicated now. The first time you run any internet related program after activating Microsoft firewall, it will alert you again and ask you if it is OK for your Internet Browser to connect to Internet.

There are some computer security experts have criticized shortcomings of Microsoft’s Windows XP firewall. Thus, there may be other software firewall packages that you may want to look at. Some of other firewall software packages that you may want to look at are: Norton (www.symantec.com), McAfee (us.mcafee.com), and ZoneAlarm (www.zonelabs.com) software firewall packages.

What to look for in a Software Firewall

When choosing a firewall, consider such factors as:

~ ease of use, ~ cost, ~ technical support ~ control of incoming content (such as cookies, pop-ups, JavaScript, ActiveX, etc.), and ~ ability to control firewall for access to more trusted individual websites

Most firewall software packages can do basic port blocking needed to protect against typical virus or worm that try to probe your system (like sasser). Other software firewalls do not have important features like, allowing you to control which websites that you will accept active content (like cookies and pop-ups).

A good firewall program will also alert you when a software application on your computer is trying to connect to Internet. This may help you detect whether a virus has infected your system or whether spyware (software that arrive on your computer without your knowledge) is trying to report your personal profile details.

High Speed Internet Connections Firewall

If you are using a broadband Internet connection, such as cable or DSL, you should use a hardware-based firewall in addition to software firewall. Most of router/hub combinations you can buy for your computer system offer a strong first line of defense against remote probes of your computer. Plus, they are inexpensive, often costing less than $20 after rebates.

Hardware based firewalls generally will not tell you when a program on your own computer system seeks to access Internet. That is why, when you use a hardware firewall, you need a software firewall installed as well.

Which Firewall is Best for Your Office?

Because of number of incoming security threats to your computer are so numerous and serious, key point is that you do have a software firewall, and if you are using a high speed connection, a hardware firewall as well.

ZoneAlarm's firewall is a popular choice for personal use because it can be download and use it for free. That software firewall package may be a good starting point for individuals new to firewall technology.

After you have your computer system secure, you might like to check out some firewall options from, Nonags (www.nonags.com) and PricelessWare (www.pricelessware.org).

It's becoming a better idea to have a firewall, at home and business. It does require extra setup and is another layer of software and hardware to navigate through to connect to Internet, but piece of mind to keep your computer system secure may be worth effort.

Copyright Steven Presar