I’ve just been on the phone to a nice lady from my ISP helping me out with my internet issues.
Thanks Monica – everythings running a treat now.
And it came up in conversation that I run Linux which she replied to not ever having heard of it.
Bad Bill Gates and his mates for blinding people…..
It’s the old problem of I know about it so….
What we take for granted, a lot of people have no idea of. So as I’m very big on education, I think it’s time I wrote about the wonders of Linux. It’s just something that keeps coming up time and time again. At least I’ll have somewhere to point people to so they can at least see what it’s all about.
I’m not a Windows Hater…
I still have to use it for some things…That list of things is getting smaller all the time thank goodness…. So I run Windows as it’s name suggests – In another Window on my Linux System.
I use a free Virtual Machine Server called VMWare Server. There is other software out there that can do the same thing, but I really like my VMWare Server. So I run Windows as a program in a Window for when I’m using any conferencing software that is Windows Bound.
Everything else I do – I can do on Linux and it’s really painful going back to Windows due to its really clunky interface. My students will testify they hear me saying – “Oh I can’t do THAT in Windows – bugger!”
So It’s on my list of things to do. But if you are just too curious to wait, you can get yourself the latest version of Kubuntu. Download it, save the ISO image, Burn it to CD. Make sure that you get the Desktop version as it will let you run Kubuntu LIVE from the CD without messing anything up on your system so you can see what it looks like.
It’s not as good as installing it proper, but it will run and let you play with it.
There is a hell of a lot of “How To” on dual booting with Windows etc if you want to go that far with it. But do keep in mind – if you are still Windows Bound – but the programs you are running ( if you are a Windows user ) then Linux may not be for you.
Out of the box though, for the majority of users it works better than Bill’s contribution to the world. I had upgraded my Uncles Laptop from Windows as it kept crashing to Kubuntu 9.04 and he’s as happy as Larry. His USB works – his email works – he’s running OpenOffice (which everyone should – are you running a pirate copy of Bill’s Office software – tsk tsk..) which is better than Bills Office.
Did I mention that it’s all FREE!
Yep Free and it works. And for those things that Don’t work – you can find out how to fix it and then actually Fix it – unlike Bill’s stuff. Yes that will feel strange for a little while.
Linux is a different world behind the scenes, so coming from Windows Land to Linix Land will feel a bit strange.. Everything works the same – just better and of course much more thought is given to the Ubuntu and Kubuntus of the world….
There’s alot of great Software I need to talk about here…. So looks like I have some work to do.
If you are funny about the Free thing…
This also comes up alot – “If it’s Free it can’t be that good!”. Umm well think about a whole lot of people getting together to make the world a better place. They are obviously out there.
Yes there are ways and means that these people make a quid. Usually doing corporate support etc. Look at this Blog Script – WordPress – It’s Free.
WAMP is FREE. which is a Windows, Apache, MySQL and PHP Server.
Inkscape is FREE, FreeMind is Free, OpenOffice is FREE (but there is a paid Suite Version) and on and on it goes…
Think Students, Schools, Governments, Businesses, that are all going the Free Software route. It’s growing and rightly so. Too long have we been held hostage to expensive software that just doesn’t work.
Anyway, I’m getting up on my High Horse over this so I’ll leave it here for now. I’ll get some screen shots up of my setup in the next day or two.
I’ve got to go and help out a client get their network running then get ready for my PHP Class in the morning. Ahh it’s all work but its so much fun.
Plus I’m meant to be writing more on my WordPress Tutorial Website on how to improve on this FREE WordPress Theme and doing it. Where do all the hours go.
Cheers
Tim
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