Can you imagine running your computer without Windows? No Windows XP, 95, 3.1, Vista or 7? I'm in the position to say enough is enough. Why do I need to dig through all the loopholes and crap just to adjust my font or screen size? I decided to go with the hype that is caught up in a different operating system.
Operating System. Now what on earth is that? Well, it's the software that allows you to interact with your computer. It gives you access to the Internet, allows for you to play games, even lets you do your taxes with the proper software installed. It regulates your systems resources and allows for proper (in some cases) use of the machine.
Hundreds of operating systems, or better known as OS's, exist out there today. Which one is right? Which one regulates my systems resources with the most efficiency? Which one looks the cleanest when using? Which one is easier, or most user friendly? Well that's a matter of trial and error. Not all the hype you see in magazines, blogs and other media about various OS's can explain it all. You've got to get a feel for the OS and what it does.
I chose to seek out new life in an OS, variant of another OS called UNIX, named so aptly Linux. Linux was an effort to take and recreate UNIX on an Open Source and Free scale. Open Source allows the user free access to ALL of the source code used to produce that particular piece of software and gives them the right to change and/or add to as they see fit and desire. Also Open Source is free, meaning no charge to obtain the software.
Linux was an effort set forth upon by a Finnish man named Linus Torvalds on October 5, 1991. Mr. Torvalds is known for the creation of the Linux kernel (core) and a software warehousing style called Git. Many efforts have been made to make a more streamlined, user-friendly system with the Linux kernel to much success. At the time of this writing, I use the Ubuntu 11.10 Oneric Oncelot production of the OS with a high level of success and much more satisfaction than a Microsoft Windows based system. Linux is known for it's ability to free up system resources and allow for a faster, cleaner running computer.
Linux is not yet a perfect OS and does have some times when the system will crash, but the rarity in this far outweighs that of a Windows based system. Wherein Windows will crash when nothing is being done to the system, Linux will remain stable and may potentially crash during a use time, and again I state rarely. The stability in the OS over Windows is staggering. The version I use releases a new version every six months, available for free (of course) and bug fixes are offered on a weekly basis. Windows offers a "service pack" every six months for bug fixes. The care and upkeep put into Linux cannot be under-shadowed by Microsoft too easily.
The reason for this blog is not to give Microsoft a good swift kick to the groin, because they would not suffer from yet one more negative word on the internet. Their popularity is too high with those who don't know there are other options. I am here to explain what I do with Linux and other open source software. How I survive without the use of a Microsoft product is the sole purpose of this blog.
So until next time I will leave you all with something to think about and another option to possibly play with. Good luck to yous.
Michael
