Linux is a fine operating system.
However Windows will dominate.
There is always a need of something that is common and usable, along with a well known name.
It is called branding, and like it or not, it is a part of today's conumerism life.
Microsoft at least sticks to a product line and maintains a reputable source that is used by many developers. Maybe Linux could be based on one Distro and be more usable?
Anyway, Just like the Apple Ipod is a success, so is Microsofts' line of Operating systems.
I end in the blog that Linux is not a very scalable product for use for everyday computing.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Virtualising Fedora 8
A wonderful group of software designers have released a well rounded virtualisation software.
VMware Workstation and or its player, is a great way to run whole computer environments within the Host Computer. By doing such a feat, you gain benefits of using a number of operating systems on your own computer and more.
First of all, why virtualise?
Well some reasons include improved stability, if the virtual system crashes, no problem, just restart it.
Furthermore, if you are running software that may alter your system significantly, no drama, because a sound piece of advice is to have a copy of your virtual machine as a backup. Otherwise known as a fresh install of when you first installed the OS.
In relation to fedora 8, this option is a huge plus. By using the mainstream Windows OS as a host, all system drivers and other main software run perfectly. Then as simple as activating the virtual computer to use the OS near close to exclusive use of it, just as if you booted it up originally. (I even fooled my sister in that way)
But most of all, if you are tempted to use Linux, having it in a virtual computer provides a way to use Linux more often, without restarting the PC all the time to jump in and out of OS's.
I managed to install Fedora 8, using VMware workstation. I chose the option for "Other Linux Kernel 2.6..x" and this worked fine. Even the VMware tools install within the environment.
Full resolution screen is supported, along with other commodities such as networking and CD-rom drives.
I like to Surf the Web using Firefox in the Fedora 8 Virtual machine. Probably one of the safest and most efficient ways to browse the wild jungle that is the World Wide Web.
VMware Workstation and or its player, is a great way to run whole computer environments within the Host Computer. By doing such a feat, you gain benefits of using a number of operating systems on your own computer and more.
First of all, why virtualise?
Well some reasons include improved stability, if the virtual system crashes, no problem, just restart it.
Furthermore, if you are running software that may alter your system significantly, no drama, because a sound piece of advice is to have a copy of your virtual machine as a backup. Otherwise known as a fresh install of when you first installed the OS.
In relation to fedora 8, this option is a huge plus. By using the mainstream Windows OS as a host, all system drivers and other main software run perfectly. Then as simple as activating the virtual computer to use the OS near close to exclusive use of it, just as if you booted it up originally. (I even fooled my sister in that way)
But most of all, if you are tempted to use Linux, having it in a virtual computer provides a way to use Linux more often, without restarting the PC all the time to jump in and out of OS's.
I managed to install Fedora 8, using VMware workstation. I chose the option for "Other Linux Kernel 2.6..x" and this worked fine. Even the VMware tools install within the environment.
Full resolution screen is supported, along with other commodities such as networking and CD-rom drives.
I like to Surf the Web using Firefox in the Fedora 8 Virtual machine. Probably one of the safest and most efficient ways to browse the wild jungle that is the World Wide Web.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
The elegance of Fedora
There is something aesthetically pleasing to the interface of Fedora 8. I am a fan of Gnome, probably because it vaguely resembles Mac OS title bar. But thanks to the simplistic and yet fully functional user interface, I can't help but clap my hands for the team of designers who successfully combined usability and visual balance.
Another wonder is the fact that the OS is free. Free for anyone and everyone to download and use. What is more encouraging is the many contributors to the source code that makes up an ever growing OS.
It has been said that RedHat likes to release this version of their popular RedHat Linux distro, once the bugs are ironed out even more. This makes it the leading edge release for the public to test run, and therefore, resolve for a company to reap the testing free. I say good on them. It is a smart strategy and it works. They even get some contributors to the code.
Everyone wins when there is sharing, contribution and openness.
Openoffice.org is another reason that Fedora is comparable to Windows. It is not Office 07, but it offers similar functions. Functions which, upon closer looking, are there, just under the hood or in other places from what Office offers.
VLC media player has to be the most effective media player for any platform, but Fedora office a range of other programs to play your multimedia.
Viewing photos is easy with Fedora. Nice large size thumbnails along with instant enlargement, makes effective viewing. Copying the files to various media is no problem too.
Amsn offers MSN in Fedora. Webcam, photo thumbnails and other MSN features are ported to Linux effectively.
Mozilla Firefox is the browser of choice, and it does everything IE does and more.
Another wonder is the fact that the OS is free. Free for anyone and everyone to download and use. What is more encouraging is the many contributors to the source code that makes up an ever growing OS.
It has been said that RedHat likes to release this version of their popular RedHat Linux distro, once the bugs are ironed out even more. This makes it the leading edge release for the public to test run, and therefore, resolve for a company to reap the testing free. I say good on them. It is a smart strategy and it works. They even get some contributors to the code.
Everyone wins when there is sharing, contribution and openness.
Openoffice.org is another reason that Fedora is comparable to Windows. It is not Office 07, but it offers similar functions. Functions which, upon closer looking, are there, just under the hood or in other places from what Office offers.
VLC media player has to be the most effective media player for any platform, but Fedora office a range of other programs to play your multimedia.
Viewing photos is easy with Fedora. Nice large size thumbnails along with instant enlargement, makes effective viewing. Copying the files to various media is no problem too.
Amsn offers MSN in Fedora. Webcam, photo thumbnails and other MSN features are ported to Linux effectively.
Mozilla Firefox is the browser of choice, and it does everything IE does and more.
Positives and Negatives of Fedora 8
As Windows is the biggest following Operating system, so software and device drivers are manufactured to effectively work on this platform.
However, apart from this, Fedora (and most other Linux) defy reason and maintain a respectable compatibilty with many products on the market today and into the future. As Linux is not mainstream, problems are created where products are not designed for Linux, but exclusively for another environment, regardless of the debate of what OS is better or worse.
What I do have to say is that Fedora runs most of my products. From external hard drives (it runs solely from it), memory sticks, bluetooth adapters, sound controls and SD memory slots. It even runs my Wireless adapter, network interface and soundcard.
However, my only product that I would like to see improved would have to be compatibility with my laser printer. This is harsh on Fedora, and I excuse Fedora for the sole reason that my printers drivers are solely dependent on Windows GUI. Now that problem resides on the company releasing my printer, they should be more aware that people use alternate OS's.
So, overall, My Fedora works brilliantly, with only needing to change my printer to one that supports other OS's.
However, apart from this, Fedora (and most other Linux) defy reason and maintain a respectable compatibilty with many products on the market today and into the future. As Linux is not mainstream, problems are created where products are not designed for Linux, but exclusively for another environment, regardless of the debate of what OS is better or worse.
What I do have to say is that Fedora runs most of my products. From external hard drives (it runs solely from it), memory sticks, bluetooth adapters, sound controls and SD memory slots. It even runs my Wireless adapter, network interface and soundcard.
However, my only product that I would like to see improved would have to be compatibility with my laser printer. This is harsh on Fedora, and I excuse Fedora for the sole reason that my printers drivers are solely dependent on Windows GUI. Now that problem resides on the company releasing my printer, they should be more aware that people use alternate OS's.
So, overall, My Fedora works brilliantly, with only needing to change my printer to one that supports other OS's.
My decision to install Fedora 8.
I recall a time, quite a while back, when I had install discs for Fedora 4. I never had enough time and I simply did not want to take the risks of playing with my computer and risking formatting my PC. Besides there was so real significant advantage in installing such a product, as my Windows environment catered for all my purposes.
Time progressed and my interest in the Linux world continued, mainly as a hobby. I tried many different flavours of Linux, mainly the LIVECD distros. These distros offered a safe passage into the world of Linux for me. After trying a great many distros of LIVECD's, I was not satisfied with each one itself. One would have a feature that another would miss. So I gave up Linux... for a while...
Then came Fedora 7 LiveCD. It caught my eye, thanks to its hot-air balloon theme. I know that such a theme makes no difference into the quality of the product, but something told me that if a product is so true to release a main theme, it must have quite a following. Needless to say I installed FC7 onto my desktop PC. The available programs and the simple to use tools really grabbed my attention as an alternative to Windows. Drivers were flawless, programs were useful and things could be produced (The whole purpose of a PC).
So, here I am, installed Fedora 8 onto my work laptop, and using it exclusively. Personally, FC8 is more refined than FC7, but that is how it should be, considering each update brings more reliable and functioning products. Keep up the great work to all the people in the Fedora/Linux community.
Time progressed and my interest in the Linux world continued, mainly as a hobby. I tried many different flavours of Linux, mainly the LIVECD distros. These distros offered a safe passage into the world of Linux for me. After trying a great many distros of LIVECD's, I was not satisfied with each one itself. One would have a feature that another would miss. So I gave up Linux... for a while...
Then came Fedora 7 LiveCD. It caught my eye, thanks to its hot-air balloon theme. I know that such a theme makes no difference into the quality of the product, but something told me that if a product is so true to release a main theme, it must have quite a following. Needless to say I installed FC7 onto my desktop PC. The available programs and the simple to use tools really grabbed my attention as an alternative to Windows. Drivers were flawless, programs were useful and things could be produced (The whole purpose of a PC).
So, here I am, installed Fedora 8 onto my work laptop, and using it exclusively. Personally, FC8 is more refined than FC7, but that is how it should be, considering each update brings more reliable and functioning products. Keep up the great work to all the people in the Fedora/Linux community.
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