Do you have friends who are constantly telling you that you should switch from Microsoft Windows to Linux? Have they gone as far as providing you with a Ubuntu CD to install on your computer? Are you starting to dread hearing the word Linux because your very happy with your current operating system? Well, to be honest, you are not alone. If Linux is so great why are only 3% of the computers currently being used running Linux? The reasons for such a low percentage of use is not really relevant because what is interesting is this — even if you have no interest in switching your computer operating system, Linux is in your home and effecting your computing life in many different ways.

Linux is not a new operating system, there has been a lot of talk about the operating system in the last couple of years so you may have just started to hear about Linux but the operating system has been around since the early 1990s. This means that Linux has been time-proven and thanks to the open-source community Linux is constantly being improved. This very reliable operating system is running many of the servers we connect to every day. Most internet service providers use Linux as the operating system on their servers. Highly visible web sites such as Google and Ebay use Linux-based servers as well. Think where you would be without Google or Ebay and how often do these websites go down? Companies that stake their reputation and their profit on a computer usually choose Linux as the operating system of choice.

Linux does not have the layers of bloat that other software operating systems are notorious for. In fact, Linux is small enough and reliable enough to run many of the electronics in our homes. Do you have a Tivo in your home? It’s running Linux. Do you own an Audi? It’s running Linux. The software is highly configurable which allows electronic manufacturers to build operating systems that contain only the necessary information needed to run the device. Linux is also free which can keep the manufacturing costs down.

There are relatively few viruses in the world that are designed to attack Linux. Linux may be solid and virus free but the community is still at the forefront of providing free security upgrades on-line. Before Linux started proving free upgrades on-line, upgrades were provided by either ordering a CD or going through a knowledge base of information looking for a download link. One click software upgrades were created on Linux first and when first rolled out in the mid 1990, the process was considered invasive to personal privacy. The success of Linux’s upgrade center led to Microsoft and Apple building their own free software download center that do the same thing.

Linux has shown that freedom of choice of software is important to consumers. Open-source software is fairly inexpensive to create which means new manufacturers can enter the market easily. If the programmers working on software solutions are not creating software to address the needs of their customers another programmer can step in and make a better product. With the abundance of choices, you can select the tools and software that meets your needs. Linux is proving that customers need and want more than one choice in their software because one company can not meet the needs of everyone.

Linux brought us interoperability. Before interoperability became standard, you could not connect a Mac to a Windows based network and you could not share files between different software programs. Linux users wanted to share files with other computer users and connect their computers to home and work networks which has caused interoperability to became a necessity. Once Linux users paved the path, Microsoft and Apple were not too far behind and now it does not matter what type of computer you are using, you’re able to interoperate with others.

Linux can also be thanked for the ideas of individual configuration. Linux was the first operating system to offer the option of individual profiles and user configuration. Each user can have his or her own individual profile on the same computer. This includes the look of the desktop, which icons you see, what programs start and even what language the desktop is in. Before Linux caused the individual profile and configuration ideas to be become popular, everyone had the same desktop look and all configuration processes effected everyone who used the computer.

Linux has been on the forefront of new ideas. The open-source community has been able to keep Linux free and evolving. And of course when something becomes popular it will eventually end up in the next versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X operating systems. Even for those of us that have no desire to run Linux as our operating system, we have a great amount of computing and software ideas that we should thank Linux for.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Are you tired of struggling with your computer’s operating system. Do you want to try a program where you do not need to be constantly on the look out for viruses or security attacks? Have you considered giving up your computer because software is becoming too expensive for you to afford? Do not give up, you are not locked into Microsoft Windows, there are alternate operating systems available.

Linux is the open-source alternative to Windows. Linux has been around since the early 1990s and for many people moving to Linux is an easy switch. Linux is considered to be a stable operating system which many businesses choose to run their mission critical computers and websites. Much work has been done to create versions of Linux that can aid people in switching from Windows. Linux is open-source which means many versions of the software are available for free. There is a lot of software available for Linux and many of the documents created are compatible with Microsoft Office. Linux users also see themselves not as customers but as a community. If you decide to switch to Linux and you need assistance or help, you can find someone online who is willing to assist you. No need to contact customer service or pay for expensive in home support.

If your interested in moving to a new computing platform, Apple Macintosh offers an entire line of computers and products for your computing needs. Apple computers are seen as high end computers that will last for several years. Many of the differences between Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows are old and outdated. Mac OS X is a fully fleshed operating system with an community of software developers and users behind the product. You can share files between the two operating systems and network both operating systems together. Mac computers are seen as products used by artistic and creative people. While the high end computing games available for play on Windows computers is not available for the Mac, there is plenty of software to keep everyone happy. If you choose to switch to the Macintosh you will not have the same virus and security concerns that Windows users have but you will need to keep up on security updates as there are security holes in the operating system.

Solaris 10 is a little known operating system that you can replace Windows with. Solaris is based upon the Unix code base. There are two versions of Solaris. Solaris 10 is the professional enterprise level operating system that is designed for companies to use for their servers. Many system administrators see Solaris 10 as an upgrade to Linux. The other version of the software is OpenSolaris. OpenSolaris is the open-source operating system designed for individuals and college students. OpenSolaris is still very rough as the community is still working on the software’s potential. If you missed the early years of LInux and want to be on the ground floor building a new operating system and a new computer community, you may want to consider checking out OpenSolaris. Many of the same features you will find in Linux are available or planned for OpenSolaris. The open source community is working diligently on this operating system so chances are if you try OpenSolaris one month and do not like it, if you return the next month the operating system will look and feel very different and you may like the new version.

If you do decide to move from Microsoft Windows to one of the alternative operating systems available, you may want to try the new software out before you commit your computer hardware fully. Both Linux and Solaris have CD bootable versions of their software available which will allow you to try the software out without erasing anything from your primary hard drive. You also want to take some time to determine if the software you use on a daily basis or an approximate substitute is available for your new operating system. There is nothing more frustrating then switching to a new operating system and discovering that you can not longer use software that helps you run your life.

In the early 1990s there were very few choices in computer operating systems and the alternative at that time were not as robust the alternatives today. Before you start to dismiss one of the alternative operating system with the ideas that they are not interoperable or do not have any software choices, take a second look because you may be surprised on the changes all operating systems have undergone in the last 15 years. You now have choices in your computing and the best part is many of those choices are free or low cost and still have the support and help that any new user needs and desires.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Are you tired of constantly having to spend money on software to keep your computer running? Do you want to change up your computing style and learn new methods of handling your data? Or maybe you have tired of the constant need to fight off virus attacks and are looking for a better operating system. If so, it is time to take the plunge and replace your computer’s operating system and software with Linux.

Even after you switch operating systems and begin to run Linux, you will still be able to run all the software you paid for in the past. Using a program called Wine, you will be able to run many of the software programs that you find vital to your life. Wine is not powerful enough to run high end programs such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop. In order to run high end Windows programs you should consider installing a professional virtualization programs such as VMWare. Using VMWare you can even run programs written for the Macintosh. With Linux you can get the best of all the computing platforms, you can install extensions to your Linux operating system that make your desktop look and feel like a Macintosh and still have full Windows compatibility.

Linux users already understand the need to be able to search for new software in a quick and efficient manner. Linux users have created a searchable repository of all the great software available for use. This database has been used by Linux uses for over five years now and it is constantly being improved. WIth one click, you can install new software and update the software you have installed on your computer. No longer will you need to search for hours just to figure out if you have the current version of a piece of software. With Linux’s one-click software installation program you keep up with the latest versions of all your software without hassle.

When installing software for your new Linux computer, you will be shocked on how many programs are available for free. No longer will you be forced to spend hundreds of dollars on an email program or word processor. Instead, you will find many different programs available to you that will meet and exceed your requirements. If you find a program that you like but it does not meet all your needs, it is often very easy to contact the programmer and ask that the features you need be included in the next release. Many linux programs are created by individuals or small groups of people who love to engage with their customers and improve their software. No calls to unknowledgeable customer service representatives, you will be able to talk to the actual programmers and developers of the software programs you love.

In addition to the cost savings, you will find that you no longer find yourself breaking copyright laws when you use your software. If you have ever resorted to either gray-hat or black-hat methods of gaining software because of the high price of quality software, switching to Linux and using open source software may help you to rid your computer of anything gained inappropriately. The programs you once had to get illegally have comparable Linux operating system programs that you can get for free.

Whatever your computer security concern, you will be able to find a Linux application that can solve it. It you have data that needs to be encrypted, emails that need to authentic, or instant messenger chats that you want to protect, you will find easy to use encryption software and add-ins available for free.

Overall Linux is considered one of the most stable operating systems available and there are hundreds of computer programs who work on the operating system constantly to make sure it continues to be stable. There is a large community of people who are happy to help you with any issue that you have. If you have questions on installation of Linux, you will be able to get immediate assistance through many of the Linux users forums. Linux users are a community and they want to include you in that community. Using Linux is a constant learning process for everyone and new tutorials are being produced to help new users get up to speed very quickly.

In the end there is only one reason to choose Linux as your computer’s operating system, it’s cool and fun. You can find many different versions of Linux and chances are there are at least two versions that will meet your current computing needs. Once you have linux installed on your computer, you will find that there really is no learning curve. You’ll understand how everything works very easily and soon you will be showing all your friends. Be careful, you may end up installing Linux on every computer your friends and family own as well.

Popularity: 11% [?]

If you are tired of using Microsoft Windows and want to explore the world of the Macintosh without spending the money for a new computer, you should consider porting the Mac OS to your PC. Completing a port of Mac OS X is becoming easier as more and more people want to give the software a try. You do need to be aware that this a considered hacking your computer, and could very well be considered copyright infringement. But if your willing to try and you have a little bit of computer knowledge, you may really enjoy the outcome.

You may want to try this process out on a second computer or a second hard drive instead of giving up your primary computer. While this process is relatively easy once you have the proper files, the process explained here will wipe your hard drive and that includes any personal files you have on the hard drive. If anything goes wrong and you sacrificed your primary computer and hard drive to the process, you may end up having to rebuild your computer without any support from your manufacturer or Apple.

You will need a separate hard drive to install OS X on. If you are interested in dual booting between OS X and Microsoft Windows, you need two separate hard drives. This process will not work on a partitioned hard drive. Once you have the necessary hardware, search your favorite torrent site for the necessary files. You need to find “VMWare files for patched Mac OS X” online and download the entire file. This file should end up over 6gb after your download has completed. Once you have the proper .img file, move it to an external USB hard drive and set the drive aside.

Next, download the Ubuntu Live CD from the Ubuntu website. You need to verify that you are getting the correct version of Ubuntu. Burn the Ubuntu .iso file to a CD thus creating a bootable Ubuntu disk. Place the disk in your computer and boot from it. Once Ubuntu boots and the GUI Is running, connect the USB drive that is holding your Mac OS X files. Note the path to you USB drive and double confirm the location of the drive you will be using for your new Mac OS X operating system.

It is not time to work with Linux to install OS X on your PC. Open a terminal window and change the directory of the terminal window the appropriate path for your USB drive. Then in the terminal window type “dd bs=1048576 if=./tiger-x86-flat.img of=/dev/hda” You will want to make sure that you replace the “hda” with the correct drive information for your final installation of the OS X files. And double check everything before you continue on, this command will erase whatever drive you indicate. When you hit enter, your computer will start working. This process may take several minutes to complete so be patient. After this wipe and transfer process is complete, you can remove the Ubuntu CD from your computer and shut down the PC. After your computer is shut down, you should remove the USB drive that held you OS X .img file and reboot your computer. If everything was completed correctly you will be booting into Apple’s OS X instead of Microsoft’s Windows.

If you want to move to Mac OS but do not want to use linux, you can still install OS X using public-domain tools native to windows. These tools still have the ability to completely wipe your hard drive, so again the same cautions apply. Make sure you are not using your primary hard drive unless you want to spend time rebuilding your computer if anything goes wrong and you will need a separate hard drive as the process will not work on a partitioned drive. Porting Mac OS to your PC is not an exact science and anything can go wrong at any time.

If using Microsoft Windows to handle your port, you still need to find and download the “VMWare files for patched Mac OS X Tiger Intel” but instead of Ubuntu’s Linux files, you also need to download “Forensic Acquisition Utilities”. Install the Forensic Acquisition Utilities onto you main root drive and use the command “dd if=c:\tiger-x86-flat.img of=\\.\physicaldrive” where physical drive is replaced with the appropriate indicator of the drive you want to install Mac OS X on. Once you start the process, it may appear that your computer hangs however do not touch anything, your hard drives are working away. After the process is completed, reboot your computer and set your BIOS for your preferred boot sequence. If everything worked properly and your hardware is compatible you should see OSX boot up.

Popularity: 5% [?]