…updates
Dear readers,
I have been pouring my heart into the store trying to get it online, blog posts are coming! New DIY, Geek-a-nese and a new feature “FrugalMyPC”… stay tuned, same bat time, same bat channel!!!
Why I use Ubuntu.
In our last article Geek-a-nese: What is an Operating System? I told you that I would be putting an article up explaining why I have chosen to run Ubuntu as not only my personal OS, but the OS that my business primarily runs on.
Ubuntu, meet the world, world meet Ubuntu…
Ubuntu (pronounced “oo-BOON-too”) is an Operating System based on the Linux Kernal (i.e. it is a Linux OS). It is produced by the fine folks at Canonical who maintain the release schedule and updates to Ubuntu. Every six months a new and hopefully improved version of Ubuntu is released. I have chosen it for several reasons:
- It’s free
- It’s FREE
- Security
- It handles my needs
- I like the challenge
Free as in… you don’t pay money for it…
It is hard to believe, but no catch. You don’t have to buy a subscription, you don’t have to sign up for anything, you don’t even have to submit your email address to download it and you most definitely do not have to shell out 250 of your George Washingtons (price based on Full Professional version of Microsoft Windows 7). You can go to their website, download an .iso or order a cd….. for FREE!!!
It’s FREE… what? How is that possible?
Well the truth comes down to how Ubuntu is licensed. It is under the Free Software Project or also known as GNU. In the Ubuntu: Pocket Guide and Reference (a free download and highly recommended read), Kier Thomas writes this about free software:
“ The Free Software ideal is enshrined in a software license applied to all Free Software projects. It’s called the GNU Public License, or GPL. This is like Microsoft’s End User License Agreement that comes with Windows (and you see whenever you install Windows from scratch), except whereas the Microsoft EULA prohibits sharing Windows under any circumstances, the GPL says exactly the opposite—that you can always share the software”1
Security Please…
I can see the hate mail coming in now, so before you get boiled over… let me say this; any operating system will contain security vulnerabilities. However, I do feel that in a general since Ubuntu is more secure than Windows.
According NetMarketSharetm, Microsoft owns 92% of the operating system market share while Linux owns a wimpy .98%. No that is not a typo, that is less than 1% of the people using operating systems, or in other words people using a computer, are using Linux. So if I am going to code a virus, or attempt to create some form of malware to attack a user, am I going to target Windows or Linux?
By default, Linux has a user role and an administrator role (a.k.a. “root”). Linux out-of-the-box separates these two roles, so in order for a user to install anything or make any changes that a virus would want to make, it would have to do it as root. Impossible? Not hardly, but certainly more difficult than the design you’ll find in the competition.
Another aspect of security comes through visibility. Linux/Ubuntu as part of the Free Software Project, allow their source code to be viewed by, reproduced and edited by anyone. One might ask, doesn’t this make Linux less secure? I suppose a hacker could fine comb search the Linux source code and find a vulnerability to exploit, but the problem is finding the flaw. Now don’t lose me here, I am not saying the Linux source code is perfect by any means, but I am saying that with all of the visibility Linux has a huge audience of programmers to proof read and make the OS stronger over all. Programmers all over the world are constantly working to make Linux a stronger, more efficient and in an over all sense a better operating system.
I got an App for that…
A popular myth for Ubuntu is that it doesn’t have the applications you or your business need to achieve day to day operations. While it is true that applications made for Mac or Windows will not run on native Linux, there are some popular alternatives. There are solutions available that will allow you to run some Windows applications on a Linux system and there are many open source software alternatives to the programs you may be used to using. Open Office and Firefox for example, are great alternatives to Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. For me and my business… my email, music, pictures, invoices, letters, Internet browsing, design, development projects can all be ran on Ubuntu.
The Challenge…
Now, I don’t want to scare you away from Linux, in fact I want quite the opposite of that. There is a challenge to learning Linux/Ubuntu, because simply put Ubuntu is NOT Windows or Apple. This is neither a good or bad thing, we are talking about apples and oranges when trying to compare Windows and Linux. However, just because it is different, does not mean we should shy away from it. The fact is you once learned how to use Windows didn’t you? The same can be said for Linux, without the $250 dip into your budget. Again, for me personally, I love this challenge and I get all excited when there is something that does not work on my Ubuntu configuration.
Final Thoughts…
There are many improvements to be had in the Ubuntu/Linux world… but you will find that in any Operating System out there today. I will be putting up more tutorials on how to try Ubuntu and use it in the near future. Don’t worry Window’s fans, I’ll be having tutorials up for you too 
Interested in a head start? Download Kier Thomas’s ebook, Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference, check the #ubuntu IRC channel and official Ubuntu support forums to get started. Or as always, you may contact me on Skype or Twitter @ matt6solutions.
In the words of William Wallace, I leave you with “FREEEEEEeeeeeeeeedoooooooom!!!!!!”
references:
1. Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference by Keir Thomas
Geek-a-nese: What’s an Operating System?
“I’m a PC, and I’m a Mac”… I’m a linux freak, but we will get to that in a later 
post. What’s the difference? What’s an operating system? Why do I care? …
I’m kicking off a brand new series in the Matt6 blog, we will be teaching you a whole new language, Geek-a-nese.
The operating system or often called the OS, by technical definition is:
“In computing, an operating system (OS) is an interface between hardware and user, which is responsible for the management and coordination of activities and the sharing of the resources of computer, that acts as a host for computing applications run on the machine. ”1
So it’s simple really, the operating system is a platform that handles the behind-the-scene operations. The OS is what you log into, it’s what manages your desktop, taskbar, and various applications that are run, and it is what handles the communications that need to happen between the various types hardware hidden under that pretty case of yours. So you can sit back and take a deep breath, it really isn’t gremlins running your system.
… I like variety!
Like soda or puppies, operating systems come in many different varieties. You are familiar with Microsoft Windows, which currently owns the majority of the Operating System market share. If your laptop is running Windows XP, that is to say your operating system or software controlling body is Microsoft’s Windows XP. There are many other operating systems such as Apple, Linux, Unix, FreeBSD, and many more. Not to get confusing, but as is typical with all software, there are many types of operating systems and each type may have several versions. Going back to Microsoft, they have evolved their Windows Operating System with 3.1 to Windows 95, Windows 98, on up to XP, vista and now Windows 7.
… so, what now?
Okay, I have a better grip on understanding the operating system, but how do I choose one with such a variety out there? Fair question. As I noted earlier, Microsoft already owns the bulk of the market share, so most people just use the version of Windows that comes with their system. Your choice, is really dependent upon what sort of hardware you have or are buying. For example, if you buy a new macbook pro, it will come with an Apple operating system like OSX. If you go out and buy a brand new HP it is likely to have Windows 7. So, in most cases you do not have to choose, because the hardware manufacturer has chosen for you. Linux and the others I mentioned are far less likely to be found on a laptop or desktop. So typically, if you want to run those, you have to do it yourself. I will be posting some how-to lessons in the future on installing Linux. Also, in a later post I will discuss why I have chosen to run my home and business with Ubuntu (a Linux based operating system).
Now offering new backup service?
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Storage plans available:
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Online Store coming soon!
We are working hard to set up our online store, once the set up is complete you will be able to browse or complete inventory and order directly online.
Lost and can’t be found…
The days of relying on floppy disks and cd/dvd discs are well over. In today’s world the availability of USB flash drives, external hard drives, secondary internal drives, and now cloud services are both cheap and everywhere. This availability has stirred up a frenzy in the backup realm.
One particular backup solution is the affordable and reliable on line backups. A quick Google search will reveal everyone has their hand in this cookie jar; everyone from large independent companies, Internet service providers, and hundreds to thousands of small businesses.
Whether your hard drive spins itself silly or your windows install gets that all corrupting virus… backing up your system is the basic Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan for the everyday user. Folks, the fact is that at some point your 500 gb hard drive filled to the rim with pictures of the cute grand kids, the children playing in the back yard, family get togethers and once-in-lifetime events is going to bite the dust, or at least the odds are in favor for hard drive catastrophe. You need a backup solution and with so many affordable options out there today, why wouldn’t you have one?
I know, some of you are asking: Is it safe to store my information on other servers? How do I get my data re-loaded when my hard drive does crash? Do I have to sign up for a contract? What about data integrity? And, and … and?????
The beauty of overwhelming availability is the freedom you have in options. There is a customized solution, that will cater to your concerns and needs, ready to be delivered to your front door. Contact us today and let us worry about tomorrow!
Testdriving Windows 7
I have been fortunate enough to have spent the last several weeks test driving Windows 7 RTM. Those of you who know me, know that I am a linux fan and advocate, but even I have to admit, Windows 7 is spot on!
Businesses and home users alike looking for a performance peak, Windows 7 blows vista out of the water. Run the flawless 64 bit version to keep up with today’s latest processors. Less than annoying UAC interface, so rejoice vista users! In my experience thus far, 7 takes a secure approach while maintaining effective usability. Native support for disk encryption with bit locker. It’s fast and secure.
A tidbit from the official Windows 7 technet page:
“Windows 7 introduces a number of security enhancements to give users the confidence that Microsoft is continuing to find better ways to safeguard users’ IT investments as well as data. Businesses will benefit from enhancements that help protect company sensitive information, that provide stronger protections against malware, and that help secure access to corporate resources and data. End users can enjoy the benefits of computers and the Internet knowing that Windows 7 is using new technologies and features to safeguard privacy and personal information. Finally, all users will benefit from the flexible security configuration options in Windows 7—options that will help users achieve the unique balance of security and usability to meet their specific needs.”
I realize many have avoided Vista like the plague, and rightfully so, however that does beg the question: What about my XP applications? Yes, Microsoft thought of that too. With the higher end versions of 7, you can run your XP applications in a virtual mode. It runs great, and many applications can be launched directly from the start menu without having to boot and load to a virtual machine. Windows 7 is fast, secure, manageable, and easier to deploy than any other Windows OS, it’s here to stay. Windows 7’s official release date is October 22nd, get your new computer ordered today!
Microsoft, a free approach?
This week, ZDNet reported that Microsoft has released over 20,000 lines of code to the open source Linux Kernal to support drivers. It is no big secret that some of the top I.T. companies in the world have submitted similar driver code to Linux, but Microsoft? I suppose the news would not be so shocking to me if I had not read in addition that Microsoft was also going to release a free online version of Office with the next Office Suite, as reported by PCWorld.
I have to stop and ask here, why so generous Microsoft?
Why custom build your machine?
Is there a dinosaur creeping under your desk, one that hums like a B52 bomber and your lights dim every time you push the power button? Obviously, I’m exaggerating, but it may be time to get a new computer. In today’s market, there are some screaming deals available from the big dogs of the computer industry. However, despite those deals, I would encourage you to build your own PC on the basic premise that you get what you pay for. The big dog companies often pack generic OEM devices into a box, load it up with a ton of bloated, unwanted, un-usable, and not to mention annoying software. The boxes are often limited when it comes to upgrades.
This is not the case when building your own machine, which the possibilities are endless. Let us start with customization. When you build your own PC, you are building this for you! You can match your software needs, your hardware needs and your budget needs! You can upgrade what you want, when you want. With Matt6 working along side you handling the technical garble, you will not have to worry about compatibility or warranty issues, or spendin
g hours on the phone, just on hold, only to get someone on a big dog tech support line who can’t help you in the first place, because to them, you are just another number. Find a simple solution, one you can trust and contact Matt6 Computer Solutions today.
USPS drops COBOL for Linux!
USPS has switched 1300 servers over to HP Servers that run Linux. Apparently in an effort to beat the recession, the post office is relying on open source solutions to save costs… I think that is advice we all should consider!
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