Linux GUI

GUI is pronounced like the word gooey. The term stands for graphical user interface. For most of us that is still clear as mud, but if one is using computers in daily life then you are all ready familiar with GUI. In Microsoft Windows, the familiar desktop with its icons is the GUI. In Linux you have many GUI’s floating around out in the open source world. The following is a short synopsis of a few GUI’s of Linux.

Gnome www.gnome.org

Home PC owners and industry make use of this desktop environment. Gnome’s extensive manuals and help systems with an on line documentation library help you learn all those new applications. It, also, has Windows compatibility which means even though you do not have Windows programs you can open the files from those programs. It comes in a variety of languages and even has accessibility software for those with disabilities.

KDE www.kde.org

There is some ambiguity in what the K stands for in KDE, but the DE stands for desktop environment. This open source community developed software for communication, education, and entertainment as well as work. KDE can be run with Linux or Unix based systems. The desktop interface can be customized to your specific needs or you can use a set of defaults that will get you up and computing in no time. Starting with Windows XP the KDE community has provided support for compatibility of files. This suppor is still in development stages and an ongoing process.

Ubuntu www.ubuntu.com

Ubuntu is commercially sponsored by Canonical. It has scheduled releases every six months. This open source community is unusual in that commercial teams and community teams work together to produce quality releases. Ubuntu began by using the Gnome desktop and developed software from there. It now has a sleek modern look that catches the eye.

There are many other GUI’s available. Which one you will like best will depend on your computing needs.

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What do you get to do with a General Public License?

Sorry, this is not James Bond’s general license to kill. General Public License is a term the computer world uses to describe a philosophy set forth by the Free Software Foundation in the early nineties. This philosophy was the idea that there should be software that anyone could share and modify.

Free software is not defined as in no charge, no money, but free as in freedom. This freedom is the ability to retrieve source code, change pieces of software, take software pieces, and incorporate it into another program, or distribute copies. The rules of the general public license guarantee you can do this.

In order to receive the benefits of the general public license, you must copyright your software. You can charge fees for the work it takes to transfer software or provide warranties, but the software itself must remain free, and be reproducible, modifiable, and distributable. The receiver modifying the program has to conspicuously date and note any changes made. Copyrights, warranties or no warranties, and the general public license must be displayed to a user when they start the program.

A large part of the license involves what can be done with source code. Source code is programming language that is readable by a person such as FORTRAN, BASIC, COBOL etc. This code must be provided, since it’s the one that is modifiable. If the source code itself is not provided, then access to a place where the source code can be copied must be provided.

There is more to the license, but the rest deals with specific situations. Directions and notices are given in the license for these specific situations making it easy to incorporate this into your programs. The Free Software Foundation is,also, responsible for license revisions. Make it a habit to check periodically on the license. It does change.

Any questions that you have feel, free to contact the Free Software Foundation. It is a place that truly welcomes inquiries.

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Open Doors with Linux

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With the Internet, and now, personal webpages being a staple in an ever increasing number of people’s lives, there are more acronyms than ever to not only remember, but to be familiar with, to smooth the Linux user experience. HTML for example, denotes a form of visual editing software which one can use to modify aspects of their web page layout. Popular content management systems such as WorpPress, Drupal and Joomla are popular because they’re easier to use than many other available CMS programs, and they all allow for HTML modifications. By taking a crash course in HTML, such as diving right in and reading a book on the programming language’s instructions, one can quickly begin to make their web page look exactly how they like.

Specialized languages require fluency, yet can be rudimentarily modified by even novice users who examine the code, and insert modifying commands into the correct spaces. Moving on to full-scale HTML editing proficiency takes time, but you can be sure of one thing: as time goes by, Linux-based systems seem certain to remain popular. With their open source, collaborative nature, any computer running Linux-based programs is in good hands — the hands of the computer community — and not in the hands of a corporate behemoth only interested in maximizing profits.

Smartphones and the fastest supercomputers in the world all use Linux-based operating systems. Whether one lives in one of many Los Angeles apartments or in a house in rural Kansas, the same thing has happened and seems likely to stay the course — Linux has made inroads. It’s not just for tech savvy, strange-numeric-based-language-knowing types any longer. For a better, crash-free computer experience, people have turned en masse to systems which are supported by Linux. And along the way, they’re opening doors by learning new skills and languages.

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OpenOffice Software

There are many alternatives to the commercial software products. Open source software if it has a price can be much cheaper. Yet,the programs can be extremely sophisticated, functional, and easy to use. One product that you might want to explore is openoffice.

OpenOffice is an office software suite similar to Microsoft Office. It contains a word processing program, presentation software, a database, a spreadsheet, and a graphics programs. It is based on XML, which is extensible markup language. This language computers use to read the commands for forming whatever data and text document you are creating, and is the default language for most office productivity software including Microsoft Office. In fact, in Microsoft Office when you save a document, at the bottom of the Save As window is your file name and the save as type box. If you click on the arrow a list appears of all the ways you can save your file, and one of those ways is Word XML Document. How your file is saved does not change, just the delivery and what flavor you like does.

OpenOffice is unrestricted. You can use it for educational, private, or commercial purposes. It is free to download, to install to as many computers as you would like, or to pass on to other people. Its commands and icons are similar to Microsoft Offices and at its web site, OpenOffice.org, there is a community of support that will help you learn the product.

If your budget will not allow you to get that fully loaded computer with all the bells and whistles software packages, then this is a viable alternative. You can then concentrate on getting a powerful processing and high memory computer, and fill it with free or little cost open source software.

By the way, this article was written in OpenOffice’s word processing program. It took no more time or steps than the articles done with a Microsoft Word program.

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OpenOffice Writer

OpenOffice is an open source software suite of applications similar to Microsoft Office. OpenOffice’s word processing program is known as Writer. It has a Tips feature to help beginners become accustom to its set up. Activating this feature lets a window with tiny lettering appear over an icon informing you of its function.

Once opening the program to start a new document go to the text based menu bar and click File, then New, and then Text Document commands. Just like Microsoft Office a blank text document will magically appear on your screen. This blank document will have a light gray outline box indicating where your margins are along with the usual ruler. The iconic standard toolbar is just below the the text based menu bar that has the File, Edit, View, commands. If you click on an icon in the standard toolbar a list of options will appear. Below the Standard Toolbar is the Formatting bar. Here you will find text style, fonts and their sizes, your bold, italics, and underline items commands. At the very bottom of the screen is your Status Bar which informs you of the number of pages typed, and other information about your document.

You begin typing just like you do in Microsoft Word, but Writer has a nice feature called Word Completion. Certain longer words when you reach a minimum amount of letters suddenly appear in full form with blue highlighting on the part you did not type. If this is the word you wanted simply hit enter and the entire word appears. If it was not keep on typing and it will disappear automatically. Just like Microsoft Word, Writer has your usual spell check, thesaurus, and word count tools.

If you are looking for something cost effective, innovative, and an alternative to present software options give Writer a try. If seeing is believing ,then you should know that this article was done in Writer.

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Forging Links for a Freer Computing Community

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An end to the battle that has long raged between open source enthusiasts and those who lend their support to the proprietary “branded” applications may be in sight. Cloud computing, far from clouding the issue, has helped to clear the mist, much of it red, given the fiery views often expressed by opponents of one system or the other. The idea that proprietary desktops and associated software can live harmoniously alongside their open source cousins is something that one-time opponents of the corporations behind mainstream computing have begun to realize. New on the scene since 2008 has been the Operating System called Jolicloud. It doesn”t distinguish between software that is open source and that which is proprietary and is, above all, easy to install. Fans report finding Jolicloud a much faster OS than Windows 7. It’s a client OS that caters especially to web services and categorizes applications according to how they are used, whether they are open source or proprietary. The prospect of this type of happy alliance has been around for some time. Forging the link since 1993 has been Wine, its very raison being the running of Windows applications on Linux. It has imperfections and won’t run everything, but Wine has turned out to be a popular solution. Like Jolicloud, an important part of the concept is the fact that it is free. Likewise Software, also free of charge, performs a similar role for Mac users.
Also recommended for the IT-uninitiated is Samba – ideal if all you need is to share files and printers. The main point here is that where the server that one is using is Linux or Unix, with Samba software a PC with a Windows desktop can still carry out printing and file sharing.
Also on the plus side, security is aided by a switch over to teaming Linux and Windows together on one’s computer, since Linux is known to offer far better security. You also, of course, have more applications at your fingertips.
In today’ user-driven world, this type of integration is inevitable and, of course, ultimately beneficial.

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Linux Users

Linus is used by many corporations and networking environments. The system is also used on many web sites. As much as the system is used in the world of business, the opposite is true for the personal computer user. The drawbacks related to the Linux system is the reason for this. Microsoft products offer a large variety of support functions that users have become accustomed to. There is also more variety in hardware and software selection when using products like Microsoft. The Linux operating system is limited in these areas, which may be a deal breaker to the individual user.

The Linux operating system is lacking in the area of a centralized support system for its users. When a Linux product is purchased from a vendor, it is often supported by initial documentation and information on users groups. The purchase of a free version will not provide this type of information which will force the user to seek out the information they need.

Although there has been recent improvement in the area of hardware use with the Linux system, there are many hardware devices that are unable to work with the Linux system. Hardware devices require a driver, which is a program that communicates with the operating system. When a vendor has not created a driver for their product that works with the Linux system, the user will be required to seek out information regarding drivers created by Linux users.

A limitation in the area of the software selection is a concern for many single users contemplating a change to Linux. Microsoft office products area common applications used. The Linux alternatives require the end user to obtain a new skill set in the use of the products.

As with most things in life, there are both pros and cons to be considered when selecting an operating system. The choice of Linux offers both possibilities and drawbacks. Research will provide the information necessary to make the decision.

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The Who What and Why of Linux

Who uses Linux? Business owners, both small and large across the globe have made the choice to use the Linux operating system. There are several industries who utilize Linux. Employment in the fields of banking, investment firms and retail stores may require the use of this operating system. Adventurous personal computer users are also migrating to Linux. Many smart individuals are choosing a Linux operating system in order to hone their working knowledge of how it operates. Linux has been considered a difficult system to learn. The ability to indicate on a resume that you are experienced in the use of Linux provides an additional benefit to the company that is hiring and presents a valuable candidate.

What is Linux? Linux is a free operating system that has many of the same qualities of UNIX. UNIX is a multi user / multi tasking operating system that is used in many areas of business, at a cost. Initially there was opposition to free and open software that allowed its use without one single entity owning the code. Over time this idea has been embraced by many organizations that initially fought it. Free and open software has become accepted and Linux has become the example of success.

Why use Linux? Freedom of choice comes to mind. Instead of dealing with whatever operating system is available for you equipment when you purchase it, why not become informed of the choices available to you and the benefits related to those choices? Using Linux also allows you the flexibility of modifying the code to meet your needs. This system is fast, can be used on older equipment, and most importantly is an inexpensive choice when selecting an operating system. The added benefit of adding the expertise required to operate the system on a resume should not be dismissed. All of these reasons should result in at the very least an inquiry into becoming a Linux user.

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Linux Installation

Once the decision has been made to use a Linux operating system, the next important decision is selecting which Linux distribution to acquire. There are several sources for obtaining a Linux operating system. The systems are offered free or at a low cost and money is made on the sale of add on products that work with the system. Once the decision is made to purchase Linux it will be time to prepare for installing the system.

Review of information on Linux installation will be important. Linux can be be installed as a dedicated system on a single computer or as a shared operating system that allows the user to boot between two systems. A shared operating system will require a dual boot configuration when installing the Linux system on a computer with an additional operating system. It will be necessary to ensure that there is enough space available for the installation and data. Most versions of Linux require between 8MB to 16MB of RAM.

Before installing Linux you must understand the root account, commonly called the root. This account can be compared to an Administrator account on a Windows operating system. The root is capable of doing anything on the system which requires proficient use to ensure that it is used properly. The root is also known as the superuser account. A strong password should be created to protect the root. This password should be remembered and if not, a complicated recovery process will be required.

During the Linux installation process the user will be guided through the progressive steps that will complete the installation process. Keep the process simple during during the initial installation. Once the installation is complete additional devices can be added to the system. The Linux operating system installation may require more skill than a Microsoft system but the experience will enrich the user.

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Linux Files

Creating Linux files is different than creating files in a Windows operating system. When you create a file in Linux it is necessary to confirm that the directory was built. The Linux system does not provide feedback regarding the directories that are established. Text editors are used to create script files in Linux. There are several text editor programs available for use with Linux. Some of these include pico, vi and emacs. Learning the use of a text editor will be required in order to write a script or program in Linux.

Pico is an easy text editor program to work with. It allows the user to operate the computer keyboard as they normally would and the text will wrap around to the next line. Pico also provides commands at the bottom of the screen. The Pico text editor also provides the ability to spell check your work.

The vi text editor has three modes that include colon, graphical, and text. Proficiency in all three modes are necessary in order to use vi. The vi text editor is one of the oldest and edits one line at a time.

An emacs text editor is the popular choice for developers because of the programming features that are available with this program. The features of the emacs allow the ease of use with complex code.

There are several commands in the Linux directories that allow the user to view the directory of files. The more command displays the entire contents of a file page. The head command will display the first ten lines of a file and the tail command displays the last ten lines of a file. The less command allows the user to move forward and backwards in a file. The cat command will display the entire contents of a file.

An approach to working with files in Linux may be different for users accustomed to other operating systems but working knowledge is possible.

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