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Project: Linux  Opinions
The penguin inside
By Satya <satyap@satya.virtualave.net>
Posted: ( 2000-12-28 04:34:20 EST by )
Ever wondered why seemingly sane people would choose to install and use
Linux? Is there some method to this madness? Here's a geek's reasons for
leaving the safety of Windows for uncharted territory. What does Linux have
that other OS' don't?
We all know Linux is great ... it does infinite loops in 5 seconds.
-- attributed to Linus Torvalds I'm sure that anyone even remotely interested in computers must have heard
of Linux by now. Some have wondered what it is, others have tried
installing it. Yet others play with it now and then. Some people bless it
and some curse it. Some are scared of the apparent need to learn arcane
commands. Others would rather type `find / -name mailto.pl -print' than
search through a GUI file browser. But there are many who wonder -- Just what is Linux? Linus Torvalds, the
man behind Linux, says that it is not the cure for world hunger. It is an
operating system, somewhat similar to Unix. What most people call Linux is
actually a core (the Linux kernel, which is all that Linus really
developed) and a whole bunch of utilities, applications, TSR's, and
what-not. All these are packaged together as a distribution. There are many
distributions available like Red Hat, Slackware, Caldera, SuSE, Mandrake.
The list is endless ( See http://www.ldl.cx). These distributions typically have a version number that has nothing to do
with the kernel version. For example Red Hat 6.0 comes with kernel 2.2.5.
The kernel version is the actual Linux version and new releases typically
take place at intervals on the order of a week or two -- meaning quick
bug-fixes. Linux's strong point is the open-source nature, which means that the
kernel source code (which just happens to be C) is open for all to view
and modify. According to proponents of the open source method, this is
good because the bugs are caught quickly, and anyone who can read C can
understand and create extension to the system. Most of the applications and utilities are distributed under the GNU GPL
, which means that they are also open. This is why a
Linux system as a whole is often referred to as "GNU/Linux". Open Source
(yes, capitals) and Linux often go hand-in-hand, to the extent that
GNU/Linux is one of the first platforms for which any new Open Source
program is written. Those who are daunted at the prospect of learning countless arcane
commands have a choice. Linux may be used via a CLUE (Command Line User
Environment or Interface (CLI) -- white-on-black screen and a prompt where
one types commands) or a GUI (Graphical User Interface using a mouse or
other pointing device). The GUI doesn't completely insulate the user, though. A certain amount of
CLI is always helpful when using Linux. Hard-core Linux users report using
the X Windowing System merely to get multiple terminals on the same screen
-- and literally tens of virtual terminals on various virtual desktops.
Most tasks are faster and easier from the command line anyway. As for the arcane commands, not to worry. Most full distributions come
with a set of electronic documentation. Type `info' (without the quotes)
to get started. More documentation is in `/usr/doc/' and man pages are
always available. New software comes with its own documentation. A local Linux Users Group (LUG) is a good place for new as well as old
Linux users to find help. An India-wide LUG exists, and several cities
around the world have their own LUG. Speaking of software, Linux supports almost every type of software anyone
might want. From programming to word-processing, from games to web
development, we have it all. For the programmers, a C and C++ compiler called the GNU C Compiler (man
gcc) is available. One can also get compilers or interpreters for Pascal,
Fortran, Perl, assembler, and even basic. Java runtimes are also
available. For the office desktop system, we have a full office suite called
StarOffice, developed by Sun Microsystems. Many other word processors,
spreadsheets are also available -- Free!. The TeX typesetting language and its macro package LaTeX may be used for
professional quality typesetting. If learning a new language just to write
a project (it's worth it, though) daunts you, use the LyX GUI front-end. Databases are supported, from the simple yet powerful MySQL right up to
the heavyweight Oracle. MySQL is sufficient for desktop users and dynamic
web sites. Few home users would actually need a full database management
system, but it is a useful thing to have around. Besides, some good
programs require MySQL. Games. Every home user wants games. There are umpteen tiny games, many
text-based, right up to commercial packages like Quake III Arena, and for
good measure, everything in between. But there are so many other
interesting things, that games are often neglected. Multimedia is a weak point with Linux. Sure, sound works after a few
tries. You can even watch the odd VCD and record your own CDs (with a CD
Writer installed, of course). The capability is there, but it needs to be
coaxed along. Web development? Sure. Start by installing Apache. Most distributions
already install this as part of the default installation. To check, just
surf to http://localhost/. If you see the Apache test page, then you know
it's up and running. Install an ftp daemon and upload your CGI scripts; or
simply copy them over. Perl is available on most distributions though you
should check out CPAN for additional useful modules.
PHP, the open source server side scripting language, makes an excellent
front-end for MySQL, a popular and open source database. Java is available
for use and development. In the end, to test all this out, a variety of
browsers are available including Netscape, Opera, Mozilla and Lynx. The strong point of Linux, as with any other Unix-like OS, is networking.
This thing is *built* for multi-user networked use. Jumping through hoops
is rarely required for connecting to a network. A full set of networking
tools is available -- traceroute and ping are just the tip of the iceberg. Many services can be hosted off a home Linux box. A mini-server is sitting
on your desktop in the guise of a PC running Linux. With a working web
server and a good Internet connection, you can host your own web site
right off your desktop! Security is always an issue. One becomes more aware of security because
there are so many possible users on this single machine, let alone all
those who can access the box when you're online. There is no such thing as
a perfectly secure box, but Linux will let you set up certain things so it
will be quite secure. Another weak point is the second extended file system, ext2fs. That's how
the files are stored on disk. The FS needs to be kept consistent, which
means a proper shutdown is imperative -- you can't just hit the power
switch. Power failures are every Linux user's nightmare (literally, for
those who leave their boxes on at night). A hard reset is almost never
required, however, as Linux is very stable. Users who wish to try out Linux are encouraged to get hold of Red Hat and
install it. Modern distributions automate installation almost to the level
to which users of the popular Windows software are accustomed. Contact
your local LUG. Within five minutes, ReRob learned that walking through the basement of
Fuller Labs wearing futuristic body armor and pushing a variable-geometry
motorcycle raises eyebrows. Telling students that this is the true power
of UNIX didn't help. -- Undocumented Features I.
Other articles by Satya
Current Rating: [ 6.33 / 10 ]
Number of Times Rated: [ 12 ]
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