#linux #freedom #hacking #programming #security #safety #users #consumer #professional #desktop #laptop #tablet #smartphone #libreoffice #freesoftware #mozilla #thunderbird
Linux, a five letter word that either makes you wag your tail, or cross your fingers in disgust. Hell I know when my brother first told me he was playing with Linux, I wasn't just confused, I was somewhat jovial to make fun of him. Looking at all the options out there between Windows and Apple, why would you even consider something like Linux right? Linux is for weirdo's, and as far as I'm concerned it doesn't work with anything anywhere, has no security, and is just a dumb operating system. Turns out though... I was completely wrong. When I say wrong, I'm not saying a little wrong, oh no no, by quite a large margin I was wrong.
First lets start out by talking servers. Microsoft manufactures a very good server option, fully equipped with very secure options, services, and programs. It's quite remarkable what its capable of doing. I don't have any experience with apple, but from the few buttons I have pressed, and what I've read or been told, it seems to be easier yet less inclusive. Brilliant, but where does Linux come in? If I were to say Linux can do most of the tasks above, if not all, in a more secure manner, would you be shocked? I was, so no need to lie here, yeah its pretty amazing.
Linux is capable of running programs and services similar to windows and Macintosh but, is open source. Being open source in short means one big thing, no two servers are alike. The system files on one version can be different than the system files on another. Fully customizable to what the end user wants. Not the copy paste mass variation to the reigning champions in the server closets of Microsoft... well are they the reigning champs? That's another shocker Linux is the reigning champ of big server closets. And why you ask? Customization in short. Being an open source operating system, changes can be made to the root code of any system to make it do what you want in a Linux environment. Sure they aren't the most compatible operating systems with an entirely Windows based environment, but Samba is getting pretty damn close.Linux also makes up the backbone of those devices we don't really perceive as having an "operating system". Laptops run Windows, Macs (apple) run OSX , but what about everything else? Your Bluray Player? Your network switches? Your Verizon Router and DVR? All of these run on a embedded modified version of the Linux operating system. We all use Linux all the time, just don't even realize it. Yes there are other options out there, I'm familiar with BSD running on NAS systems, but I don't want to dive to far into that, just mentioning it will suffice for now.
If we all use it, why be afraid of it? Well it is a bit strange being not just 1 operating system, but being hundreds, if not thousands of distributions out there available. With Mac you know what you're getting, with Windows you know what you're getting, but with Linux? You can have ChromeOS, SteamOS, Debian, Ubuntu, DSL, Puppy Linux, OpenSUSE, CentOS, Hannah Montana Linux, ClearOS, RedHat, Raspberrian, this list can keep going on and on and on until I run out of breath. Not sure how typing would effect my breathing, but you don't know, it could happen. Where do you start?
Start with the same platform I suggest anyone who wants to try out Linux should use, and that is Ubuntu (download link). It may not be the largest in the business world, but when it comes to consumers, it is hands down the most popular Linux distribution (behind Android of course). In the Linux realm this is the best starting point, it may not be as customizable as some of the other distro's out there, but starting out its perfect. Very user friendly UI for beginners. If you're a Mac user, you're not going to have too many adjustments to make when learning this OS, if you're a windows user, well its a different layout, but I have faith in you.
To make Ubuntu even a little bit cooler, you can install it along side your current running operating system with any extra knowledge. Sure I could go into disk partitioning and multi operating system installations from a single hard drive, but... I don't have to with Ubuntu. When you put the install media in, it'll ask if you want to install along side your current operating system. Which means you have no obligation to like it, I'm just saying try it out, you may find out you really like it. And before we dive into the "I can't do what my *fill in the blank* OS can do", I'm going to say in most cases that's pure hogwash. You're going to want some form of productivity software right?
Libre Office (download link), your word, excel, and power point jumping off point. Looks very similar, acts very similar, just different. Hell it even has a database solution in it called "base". As an individual who uses programs suchs as Microsoft Access, this is an affordable god send. Base is a 90% similar program and at $200 cheaper? You know I'm in. Along with an entirely word equivalent program? Yes please. Lets not just stop at the obvious, I want to give ONE quick tip with this program. When you go to save a file, it may default to save in a format not recognized by Microsoft products, make sure you save in a Microsoft compatible format if you intend to share or send the file. Not a huge tip, but when I get a call to convert a .ODT file, to a .DOC, drives me a little crazy, and can only imagine what its like on the end of someone who doesn't know what they are doing. Save the headache and just save as a Microsoft compatible format.
Now if you didn't notice there was on thing missing. Its been missing with most modern office products, but outlook. You have a free operating system, that doesn't need anti-virus, with a free
office suite, why stop there and get us an outlook like software? So here is Mozilla Thunderbird (download link). Now we have a free outlook similar product. Looks very similar, functions very similar, and hell its an email client that is free. Its been a while since I configured any of my Thunderbird installs, I believe it asks what protocol you want to use for email though, either imap, or pop3, this is speculative, as I said I believe I'm not 100% sure, but if it does off your these options, choose imap instead of pop3. Simply because pop3 downloads your email from the server and then promptly deletes that email from the server, where as imap saves it on both. Which to be honest, you don't want to open your gmail on another device just to find it was deleted by Thunderbird, you'd have a very bad day if that was the case.
Yes Linux can be intimidating, yes it can be for the geeks, the freaks, and nerds, but it doesn't have to be. With the Chromebooks making a huge rise in popularity, along with android, we're all growing used to Linux being hidden behind other names. If you're one of the few who is willing to try something different in the name of security, in the name of convenience, in the name of speed. I implore to to try out Linux. Almost no viruses, free office, free operating system, no obligation, extra security measures, and countless other free software's? What do you have to lose? I'll dig into some more information on other programs later on, and a few other cool tricks and customizations that can completely rock your world, but until then, as always, be safe my goblins.
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