Most people refuse to believe they need it. After all, their computer is in their office or home and only turned on by them. They no longer use diskettes and their e-mail is checked with latest and greatest virus checker.

Just try to advise your Boss, Mom, Dad, brother or sister that someone could hack into their home or office computer and look at their files. Watch their reaction. Most of them will say: “Well if someone really wants to take time to view my files, let them. I have nothing of value on that computer anyway.” This is same reaction consultants receive from clients.

So nothing of value is on your computer? What about Turbo Tax? If you did your taxes last year, then your social security number is on your computer. If you do online banking, then your bank account is on your computer. What about your financial statement, your genealogy, your passwords? Oh, you have passwords on your Accounting Files! Ha! Check out www.findpassword.com

So now let’s talk about real world. Okay, a phone line, or DSL or Cable line is a TWO WAY FLOW. There’s a key word here, a TWO WAY FLOW! Now you think in a skeptic way, that this article is going to give you scare tactics so it can sell you on latest and greatest virus checker. Nope, to plug security leaks in your computer is absolutely free. You don’t even have to pay for shipping, keep reading.

If it’s free, then why didn’t my computer consultant tell me about it? You wouldn’t believe how many updates will need to be installed. My Toshiba Windows XP system is barely 2 years old, and Windows had 49 + 18 + 2 updates. Why do I list them in that manner? First you must install first 49, then another 18 are found, then an additional 2 more.

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.