Hey Guys! Don’t raise your eyebrows or fear by hearing word Linux. It is as user friendly as windows. Just take a look at articles below and all myths about Linux in your mind will disappear.

Introduction to Linux:

It’s a free operating system available to download but you have to pay a tiny bit to mail order it or buy it from a company. Linux came into being about 11 years ago- it was developed by Linux Tornados of Finland along with a group of programmers from open source software movement.

Linux is growing steadily year after year. With a passionate community backing it, with big companies Like IBM and HP pledging their support for it, it’s no wonder Linux- wonder operating system for servers of past, has also made it to desktops of today.

Linux is based on commercial OS, UNIX. All operating systems try to pack in command line management of systems. System administrators of companies use command lines all times as their lifeline, but it’s not really meant for regulars users.

Tips for Home Users:

•If you want to get comfortable with Linux, you don’t have to let go of windows. Get Linux installed on a separate partition and you can switch between Windows and Linux. For new users who don’t have any computer background learning windows or Linux both takes same time and sitting. •It is suggested that new PC buyers should get both operating systems installed and should use them equally. If you’re getting Linux for more than 2-3 PCs, you can also get training and support at a small free, if you choose to have it. Else it’s Linux community on Net to your rescue. •You don’t have to be a great computer user to work with Linux. There are Desktop environments that let you work in Linux as you work in Windows. As you work with windows, same is case with Linux.

Linux hands in decreasing PC prices.

PC prices are already on their way down. And you get more choice with operating systems and applications. From being an OS only computer professionals had heard about, Linux, in a short time, has made a transition into lucrative and high profile home PC segment.

The PCs bundle operating system. Linux being a free open source operating system means that code that runs is open for everyone to see, work with, modify and develop their own innovative applications for it. But this is nothing compared to money people spend on Operating Systems like windows. And a company bundles Linux and applications based on it with a computer, quite a bit of PC cost comes down. Presently some branded PC’s coming with Linux are available for Rs: 25000/- onwards.

Linux is better than other OS

Linux users won’t even bat an eyelid before they say an emphasis comes from a deep dislike of Microsoft’s practice of changing earth for software. But a lot of it comes from fact they are ready to swear upon-that Linux is more stable. According to a latest survey Web Hosts are using Linux Based Servers for hosting purposes.

One note here though: free in Linux stands for freedom of choice, to redistribute, to install a feature, freedom to modify source code. That’s spirit of Linux being free.

Security:

Linux has a better security support for multi-users, lets you set up a stable server, internet gateways etc, and still lets it-self to be used as a desktop workstation. There are no blue screens and no viruses to speak of. It is rarely attacked by any viruses and there are very less number of viruses written for Linux. It can be given 10+ points on a 10 point scale for security.

Myths about Linux

Installation:

Linux is hard to install, isn’t it? Not really. Most people haven’t ever installed Windows on their computers either-since it comes preloaded. Linux is as easy-some say easier-to install compared to Windows. You can install it through a graphical user interface like Windows. These days Linux Versions are easier to install than Windows. But what really stumps most people in installing Linux on a second partition on their hard disk, when they want to be able to use both operating systems.

A partition is a way of organizing space on your hard disk by creating virtual sections that are separate from each other. Most computers that are running Windows or MS DOS have one large chunk of space holding OS. This space is C drive. If you have a large hard disk, it’s likely that it has been divided up into smaller bits called partitions to help you organize your data better. These partitions are usually called D:, E: etc. you could have Linux on any of these.

Windows 98 creates a file system called FAT32 on entire hard disk, DOS and Win95 use FAT16. Linux has many file systems-on most popular is ext3. But you could have Linux installed on Fat32 partitions also.

Linux is very difficult and based on text command

Linux has come a long way from being system of brilliant computer users. It has extremely advanced X Windows systems that have a complete graphical user interface-you know, like Windows. It also has a large number of window manager that let you work with different levels of customization of your desktop.

By Steven Presar

You know basics of computer virus protection -- don't open email attachments' from senders that you do not know. If you follow this simple rule, your computer will be safer than most.

But a few weeks ago, a computer worm called “sasser”, caused havoc with Microsoft Windows computers throughout world.

This sasser worm spread in a completely different way, not bothering with email (the way most viruses spread) but instead exploited a security hole in Microsoft Windows.

This security hole allowed any computer connected to internet to be infected. The worm spread and infected computers almost invisibly, thus many people were caught by surprise when their computer problems began.

A computer virus is a set of computer program instructions that attaches itself to programs in other computers. Viruses are often parts of documents that are transmitted as attachments to e-mail messages. A worm is similar to a virus but is a self-contained program that transports itself from one computer to another through networks.

The most obvious symptom of sasser worm was that infected computer would automatically shut down – thus making troubleshooting this worm a challenge to those infected.

A Plan of Action for Small Business

One of ways to prevent your computer from becoming infected by a virus or worm like sasser would be by installing a “firewall” on your computer system.

Any computer connected to Internet, is vulnerable to electronic worm or virus attacks. You are protecting your computer system by setting a firewall between your computer or networked computers (LAN) and Internet.

A firewall examines, filters, and reports on appropriateness of all information that passes through your computer network. A firewall may ensure that information received from an outside source is as expected and does not contain computer a virus or worm.

This protective barrier between your computer and Internet will monitor incoming and outgoing internet traffic and warned you of virus or worm before your computers became infected.

Microsoft Windows XP includes a firewall, but it may not be enabled on your machine because Microsoft turns it off by default.

If you have Microsoft Windows XP and would like to activate your software firewall, follow these steps:

~ Within Microsoft Windows XP ~ Click on Start button and then choose Control Panel ~ Click Network and Internet Connections category (If you do not see Network and Internet Connections category, click Switch to Category View under Control Panel on left side of Control Panel window.) ~ Choose Network Connections. ~ Right-click Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection(s) that you use to connect to Internet ~ Click Properties from menu ~ On Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select "Protect my computer and network" ~ Then click OK.

You have now enabled your Windows XP firewall.