It’s Time to Don the Tux
Do you feel that you would like to move to a new operating system that is light years more secure than any other popular operating system such as OS X or Windows XP/Vista? Do you hate paying for new service packs from Apple for a little more eye candy? Do you hate the security vulnerabilities that are always persistent in any Windows operating system and especially Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer?
Are you fed up with fanboys? Do you wish to belong to a community that will not oust you if you do not express your loathing for the money grubbing company known as Apple or the security slackers known as Microsoft? While Windows XP may rule the enterprise world, you usually have the choice to use whatever you want at home.
It’s time to don the Tux.
You might be asking yourself, “How am I supposed to use Microsoft Office? I don’t want a complicated multiple boot setup.” Well, you have two choices here: continue using Microsoft Office on Linux or simply use OpenOffice, which is free and compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. With the brilliant emulation software known as Wine, you will not have to worry about losing almost any Windows only programs or games. I’ve installed native Windows software such as Windows Movie Maker. Hell, even World of Warcraft installs on Linux now; one of many big title games that install under Linux using Wine.
There is little to worry about while using Linux. Browsing is more secure without the dangerous and deadly Internet Explorer allowing horrific exploits. Without Internet Explorer, your security rating skyrockets. It is because of Internet Explorer you receive unexpected desktop alerts alarming you to non-existent viruses and other warnings. Every version of Internet Explorer, including IE8.0, is not safe to use for any means. Majority of people I help with severe spyware/adware problems only have had one browser available and that was Windows’ own default. Not a coincidence.
Though, I’m far from a Linux guru, I’ve installed, configured, and used dozens of Linux distros. I can give recommendations on which are the best for beginners to use. There are literally hundreds to choose from which makes it a bit overwhelming at first. The first step is always the hardest, but well worth the effort. Here are a few recommendations by me personally:
Fedora: This is the first Linux operating system I’ve used and this has been the only one that I left in a multi-boot setup with Windows XP. From the easy to use package manager and highly customizable desktop, it makes Windows Vista and Mac OS X look like proprietary filth holding back end users from making their experience as unique as possible. YouTube Fedora to see the stunning visuals that are not only easy to setup, but require little configuration. My personal favorite recommendation.
SabayonLinux: Gorgeous. Compiz is included on the installation disc, which can be quite beautiful. You do not need an expensive computer to benefit from Compiz and other stunning desktop effects. SabayonLinux also has a miniEdition, like others, to cut down on the time spent downloading and installing to take this big guy out for a test drive. Also note that package management is a big deal breaker on which operating system you chose and SabayonLinux takes a different approach to managing packages that many might prefer. Highly recommended.
Ubuntu: I worried about recommending this distro given the stigma, but it’s not as bad as what purist and many more think. Myself and others believe that what gets the people moving from Windows to Linux is always a good thing. Just that one Linux choice becomes more popular than your own personal favorite is no reason to bash it to pieces. Embrace it knowing that the average newbie Linux user will grow comfortable enough to eventually move onto other distributions.
gOS: The name stands for “good OS.” This lightweight feeling distro caught me off guard as I found myself enjoying it after my first exploration. What’s better for me is that it can be installed on a flash drive to carry with you everywhere. It will remind most users of OS X, except gOS holds integrated Google Gadgets, the latest Wine version, and Mozilla Prism, which allows web applications to be launched from the desktop and configured independently of the default web browser. Easy to install, easy to use, and lots of great options. gOS 3.0 is definitely worth a look for beginners or the casual masses.
Debian: Huge. When I think Debian, the word abundance comes to mind. Popular, influential, and enormous. The current release is intimidating in different ways. First, Debian is not backed by a company like Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE. Second, the vast amount of available software is incredibly impressive. Too impressive to not give this monster at least a month to win you over. Debian 4.0, alias etch, would have cost at least $13 billion to develop by paid programmers instead of over one thousand volunteers all over the world. This giant is what many other popular distributions are based off, such as Ubuntu, DreamLinux, DamnSmallLinux, and Knoppix, among others.
These recommendations should give the average curious reader enough to do for months. I typically have at least five to six Linux and several BSD distributions installed at any given time. I will always add or recommend a new gem, such as gOS, when I feel confident enough that it is worth my seal of approval and your time.
Relevant Links:
Sorry Microsoft, I’m Done
Update: The reason behind this blog is undoubtedly that Microsoft may be dropping Vista in favor of Windows 7. Excellent. Let Vista rest in stagnation because there are too many issues by users crying out to be fixed or give options to adjust certain annoyances. Ah, well. Windows 7, for me, will be the answer, but I feel sorry for consumers everywhere that invested in Windows Vista. This includes the latest expensive productivity software when earlier purchased versions should have sufficed and brand new Vista certified hardware.
Everyone has that one friend in their lives that never seems get things right, but try their best. They may imitate others because they probably have this crazy notion they aren’t good enough on their own. What’s worse is that they make mistakes. A lot of mistakes. Though, I wouldn’t call this friend lazy, but he or she will sit on a resolution for months, or years, before attempting to repair the error. This kind of friend is not just a teenager, but is displayed through all spheres of life. This friend is quite literally everywhere you go. At first, regretfully, when you lose contact permanently, you seem to become a better person.
In my spheres of life, Windows has been that friend of mine. Microsoft has never learned from past mistakes, which has led to serious security compromises. We all vividly remember the Blaster worm and numerous other exploits. Well, here is a lovely little networking flaw that can be abused to crash Vista systems. It can allow rootkits to be hidden and DoS attacks to create chaos for your daily computing needs. Meaning that your Vista machine could be exposed to damaging attacks.
Well, I’ve been trying to keep up with Windows and stay optimistic, but I have to finally admit, Vista was a failure. Windows 7 seems more and more like what Vista would have been if they let it stay in the oven a couple more years. Windows 7 is going to be a failure as many people who already painstakingly upgraded to Vista now feel they will be pressured into upgrading to Windows 7. Though, Windows XP will not be retired for quite a while until Vista/7 get their game together; you will not be able to purchase XP in stores on preconfigured manufacturer computers. Only online through the same retailers.
I was sad to hear that Microsoft will address this vulnerability in their next service pack. There is no estimated release date for SP2 and I feel it will bring little to the table to resurrect Vista. The damage has been done and so many Windows users have felt cheated by a half-finished product, which is clearly evident now with videos displaying Windows 7 features and technology. Sure, it may be feature rich, but just like Vista, there is nothing that changed the productivity and convenience for Windows. Well, aside from easy to use parental controls.
Sadly, I’m telling Microsoft I’m done defending and supporting them and now it seems the once proud software giant has taken a knee during an important play. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have two more days to wait until the official release of Fedora 10. With a speedy GUI boot process and many other amazing changes, there will be no reason I will have to do anything Windows again besides emulate Windows XP. Come to think of it, I don’t recall the last piece of software that won’t install properly with Wine. Hell, even recent big name MMOs install under Linux now.
I used to actually enjoy Windows with the amount of customization and choices. Even though Windows XP wasn’t quite “good” until Service Pack 2, that does not entitle M$ to give the same treatment towards Vista. At least try to hammer out security flaws when found. Albeit, Mac OS X is full of security flaws, at least Apple will hot fix them as soon as when it matters.
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