Tags: Linux, Microsoft, Ubuntu

Moving on to Linux: Experience of a Newbie

Open Source movement has given a credible alternative to the proprietary software. I have always held that paying for software should ideally mean that we are getting the best of the value. This does not really happen and it is a sad reflection on the state of affairs. Sick and tired of crashing Windows, I decided to have a look at the other platforms.

The best of the deal is Macintosh. Yet they are an expensive alternative to Windows. What comes closest to the same is Linux. It is exactly a week now that I started researching online for the same. Three days back I was wowing my new choice. Basically, it is the question of mindset. The ability to stick out your neck and not be stuck up with the proprietary software and operating systems. Increasingly open source movement would swamp away the likes of Microsoft. It is a matter of time though.

The basic core of the Linux is called as kernel. This is the same thing as disc operating system (DOS) in Windows. The way it operates is called as Command line interface. Until recently, it was a pain to operate for anyone who had no idea about what UNIX was. This changed for the better when a large number of corporations jumped on to it to make it more user friendly.

The basic kernel was designed by Linus Torvalds and released for the open public. This meant that anyone could improve on it and release it further. This is the basic idea of the open source community. Each of the Linux modification was called as a flavor. Now more appropriately called as a Distro or short for distribution.

Where to start from? Linux is one Operating system, which can run from a bootable disc, which is called as a Live CD. This means that you need an ISO or image file to run the same. ISO or image file can be obtained on-line where many Distros are available. The best one so far is Ubuntu Linux. The popular Distro seems to be Knoppix, yet I found Ubuntu better. This can be had from www.ubuntulinux.org.

Download the ISO file for your system. If you are using 64-bit processors, make sure that it is for the same only. If you are having an older system then you should click on the Live x86 download. Save the ISO image file. If you are using Nero to burn your CDs, then burn it as an image disc option under files. In any case, whatever burning software you are using, you ought to use “burn image to disc” option.

Having a live CD means that you do not need to install the same on your hard drive. If you are running Windows, the best way to do is following:

1. Restart Windows.
2. Press “Delete” repeatedly until you enter the BIOS settings.
3. Check on the boot options.
4. Using your arrow keys, you can scroll down and have the first boot device as the CD ROM.
5. Click on enter and save. After that, exit from the BIOS settings.
6. Let the Windows load up as it is. Insert the burnt CD in the CD ROM.
7. Restart your computer.

If the ISO image has been burnt the way it should be, then it should load up the Distro you have downloaded.

There are two desktops, which provide graphical user interface or GUI for the Linux. One is KDE and the other is GNOME. They are both good though KDE is supposed to be better. If you like the live CD, then you could shut down and re enter Windows. From there go to your CD drive and click on install following the options.

There are professional versions that are available. The best ones are Mandrake Linux and SuSE personal. The professional version of SuSE is known to be optimized for networking. As an average user, one does not really need the same. The best part is that installing the same is a breeze. All you have to do is to click on the correct options. I installed Mandrake 10. One, which came along free with a computer magazine. I downloaded the ISO file from the DVD, burnt it on the CD, and installed it.

The first run after installation, it attempts to check your hardware. SuSE was excellent in doing so. Mandrake has not installed my sound card and the Ethernet port. As for the other components, it was a breeze. At this time, during installation it prompts you to store a root password. This is the security step, which means that for any hardware detection or installation it would prompt you for the same. As I said, just sit back and do as the installation program asks you to do it.

The installation GUI does everything. It even partitions your hard drive. This is the compartmentalization of the hard drive. It means the compartment where Linux would install. Usually the default option is the best until of course if you know how to make the changes. If you knew that, you would not be reading this article!

The first boot would give you an option to load either Windows or Linux. There it is. Sit back and customize. Every aspect of Windows programming is covered in Linux. I have Mandrake installed with a KDE desktop. At times, I am amazed with the thoroughness of the free software that comes loaded with Mandrake. Three cheers for the open source movement!

One thing. If you are using Linux for surfing Internet, I would strongly suggest shifting over to Opera. Opera is the fastest browser out of the ones that got loaded. Firefox is okay, but I did not find much favor with it. It is more of an old haggard and a plane Jane. It huffs and puffs to load a page. Opera zips through on my dial up. This is one area when proprietary software found favors with me compared to Open Source ones…

Please note that I do not have any kind of in depth technical knowledge. All this would not have been possible without the help of the wonderful people in Opera forums. Big thanks to them. I want to express my gratitude to all the people working actively to make open source movement a success. This is a small effort. A small drop in the ocean towards that.

This post was submitted by Dr. Abhishek Puri on Techwhack.