What if your computer fails and requires OS (operating system) crisis management? Maybe it will be exposed to a computer virus or other malicious software. After all, you will decide whether to pay and wait for professional help, install diagnostic software from the web or perform a surgical hardware analysis procedure on your own. What about all the valuable and irrecoverable data files and software that is installed? Do you have access to full system backups? Will the entire operating system disk be repurchased to restore default functionality within your most recent deadline? What if you have Linux?
Those unfamiliar with the Linux operating system may not notice the unavailability of Linux and compatible software sold at their favorite computer shop, either locally or on the web. This was not a mistake but was deliberately decided by the principle of commercial supply and demand. Linux distributions (distros) are mostly FREE operating systems for your desktop, netbook, and portable devices and can be easily downloaded online at zero cost to users. There is strong demand within the Linux community for completely free software packages that rival their commercial counterparts.
Examples of Software Categories:
- Statistic analysis
- Publishing / Graphics
- Office Suites (Spreadsheets, Text Editing, Databases, Presentations and more)
- Firewall / Anti-virus
- Computer programming development environment
- Web browser, Share files.
- A lot, a lot, a lot, a lot more!
Linux software came alive in 1991 and, with a few exceptions of commercial software, is free to the general public. Linux is made possible due to the collaboration of programmers, designers, kernel managers and other important professionals around the world. Only a few decades ago, a global collaborative project like Linux had a chance of success only with government-sized financial backing. Today, individuals all over the world form valuable online communities for accomplishing such great feats as Linux OS distributions.
It is an open-source OS, with the source code of kernel packages and add-ons available for viewing and modification. While it would be nice to have direct download links to all source files, a few technical steps are required now to actually view the source code on your computer. How many operating system companies welcome you to view and edit their source code that you pay to run on your computer?
Linux users are less vulnerable to computer attacks. Some argue that they are immune from damage sustained by a computer attack. There may be some justification among those booting from a LIVE CD, so restarting the computer will clear RAM memory and restore operating system functions to a clean, default state every time. Apart from that, there are too many built-in security features to deal with here.
About 100 major distributions, each with various versions, are available for free download. Many distributions are only around 600MB in download size and use very little computer resources. Although they will run fast on modern computer systems, older computers will truly experience new life. There are actually some downloads that are only 50MB-100MB. Imagine the speed it gets there. Many can be installed and booted from a USB or CD drive, running resident in your computer’s RAM memory and regardless of your current OS and hard drive. Note that you must enable the USB drive priority boot order in your computer’s BIOS setup, entered usually by pressing the function key F2 during the computer boot sequence. Many enjoy installing a full hard drive of their current favorite Linux distribution, customizable according to personal preference. Basically, you have nothing to lose by installing a Linux OS distribution and testing several of them per day.
Also consider that Linuxes USB and LIVE CDs allow you to boot your computer during a crisis to recover vital files from Linux, Windows, Mac or any other installed operating system. In fact, Linux allows you full access to the system data on the drive, including boot and other hidden system files. Did you know that the WineHQ Linux add-on package allows the execution of various Microsoft Windows programs? Not? What about the many distributions that can load virtually inside Windows? You get free application packages and future upgrades via the internet.