Teen Tech

In the Past, I’ve talked about this “Linux” Thing. So, What is linux anyway, and what does it have to do with me? Well, in short, Linux is an alternative to Microsoft Windows, and it is FREE. You can do almost anything that you can do on Windows, with a Distrobution (Version) of Linux. So, How does it differ from Windows just for home and office use, and is it possible to use in the Home and Office? It really depends on what you are doing. First and foremost, Linux does not support a lot of games. You can download a copy of Doom for it, but you can’t go too far beyond that, but if you are setting up a game Server, then Linux is the system for you. Let’s look at some of the differences:

• The Login Screen:

You can see, that with this version of Linux (SuSE created by Novell), you do not have to push Ctrl + Alt +Del as with most Windows Versions. It still asks you for a password and username as is customary, but beyond, that, it is very simple.

• The Desktop. The desktop is your work environment, where you are put after you logon.
  

There are a few key differences between the above desktop environment (From Ubuntu Linux) and a Windows Environment. First, the “Start” Menu is at the top and is renamed the “Applications” menu. Also at the top, is some more menus like the “Places” And “System”. The System Menu is basically like the Control Panel, and the “Places” is like the “My Computer”. At the bottom, you will notice another bar. This is where your minimized programs are put, like the taskbar in Windows. If you can get over and learn these subtle differences, you should be OK in a Linux Environment.

• Open Office. Open Office is a free alternative to Microsoft Office. It includes everything for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, slideshow presentations, and even math formula setup. What’s even better, is that this Open Office Suite can save files, so that they can be opened from Microsoft Office, so if you’re using Linux and a colleague is using Windows, there isn’t a problem with file compatability.
  

As you can see, through the slightly blurry image, it looks very much the same as Microsoft Word, so people don’t have too many problems switching to the new Operating System.

That just about wraps it up, and if you do decide to try Linux out, I suggest you hop over to http://www.linux.org, and search for Live CD distrobutions. Live CDs do not install anything to your computer and they give the full desktop environment. I suggest Knoppix, or Ubuntu, though if you want to actually install it, I suggest SuSE or Red Hat.

Good Luck to all those who want to give this a go.

Well, School’s finally out.� I passed all of my classes (thankfully), and now I start preparation for the summer when I’m at camp.� In scouts, I recently gained the rank of Life, which is one step beneath Eagle, so in about six months, I should be an Eagle scout.

For now, let’s discuss Windows Vs. Linux Server operating systems.� First off, the goal of a server operating system is to share resources.� It could be files, printers, even websites.� All of that runs off of some server that runs some operating system on it. � First off, Windows Server 2003 has a few distinct advantages over Linux.� (For those of you who don’t know what Linux is, I’ll explain in a lot of detail over the next couple of days.)� For the first advantage that

• Windows has mostly a graphical user interface.� All that means is that you get the pretty icons that can be clicked on.� Linux, has mostly a command line (remember DOS???), and that does most of the tasks, though there are some Graphical options out there.
• Windows has WINS.� WINS is basically for those old NetBIOS computers (pre windows 98) that are still on the network being used.� WINS allows those old computers to “talk” to the other, more modern systems on your network.
• Windows also has Active Directory.� Active Directory is a nice tool that is used to keep track of all of the computers and users on the network.� It can manage those users and computers from a central location, so that you don’t have to go to each individual machine.� Linux has an alternative, but it is very clunky, and not good for scalability

Linux has some advantages over Windows Servers:

• It has all the server software pre-installed, just waiting to be started including Apache Web Server, MySQL databases, PHP for dynamic web pages, CUPS (print server), DHCP (assigns each computer on the network an IP automatically), DNS (allows you to find a computer by it’s hostname), and a few more
• Remote administration.� I can log into a linux server with much more ease remotely than I can with a windows server, and with it being command line, it is great for dial-up
• Firewall.� Sure, windows has a firewall, but it’s not nearly as good as it could be.� The linux firewall, by default allows outgoing traffic, but not incoming, unlike windows which blocks all except for the internet browsing, DNS, and a few other things.
• Stability.� Linux is a much more stable environment than a windows server.� I can have a linux server have twice as much more uptime than windows, and it doesn’t get bogged down, so you don’t have to reinstall the OS as often.
• Price.� Linux is free.� Instead of paying 300$ (I don’t know the exact cost) for windows, you can DOWNLOAD linux for free.� I us SuSE which is done by Novell, and it basically holds your hand during the install.� Very easy to use and great for a first timer.

So, I might seem a little Biased towards linux, but with the cost, ease of setup and administration, the only thing that I would ever use a Windows based server for is Active Directory and WINS.

I’ve written about the good about the new Windows Vista, but what about the bad?� My first suggestion is to wait about a year until the bugs are out, or at least most of them.� When using the Vista Upgrade Advisor (downloadable at the microsoft website), it likes to not tell the full truth.� It may tell you that some device is compatible with Vista, then drivers are not available.� Others may require some software changes and others just do not work.� Some software does not work with Vista.� I’ve read about how iTunes is not Vista compatible, but I’ve been running�iTunes on Vista since I first installed the new Operating System.� I did run in to problems with conflicts between my modem and my video card which causes the unwanted Blue-Screen-of-Death (BSoD).� This took quite a bit of work to get all, or most, of the kinks out, but it is a good operating system under all of the current bugs.� So, it is advisable to wait at least until the first service pack is released to go and buy a new Vista-Ready computer with your version of Vista.

Well, I have to say that after running the Release Candidate for Vista for about three months, this new addition to the Microsoft Windows family is excellent. With multiple versions to pick from, such as Ultimate, Home Premium, Home Basic, Business, and Enterprise, there is a version out there for you. There will be some compatibility issues at the start, but they should be ironed out in time. Great for games, this operating system looks like it came straight from a sci-fi movie, and not from Microsoft. With Prices starting at 99.99 for Home Basic, the price is hard to beat. Check it out at http://www.microsoft.com/vista/

This might sound like an advertising speech, but let me assure you, it’s not. Vista is the future of Windows, and in about five years, I expect Windows XP to start phaseing out. It is great for video, photos, music, and games. It’s just a great Operating System that doesn’t even need a geek to install