May 18, 2013

3 Great Linux Applications for Kids

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Child & Computer 

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Technology and computers are now essential to the learning processes of the youngest generations. Students must be proficient with computers at younger ages than ever and, while you may want to give your child a technological edge, purchasing expensive educational software for them can be a challenge. If your budget won’t allow for the purchase of kid’s computer software, consider a Linux-based program. Here are three top Linux-based software choices popular among today’s youth.

KDE Education Project

The KDE Education Project includes a great collection of educational software. These applications are directed towards mid-aged youths and provide assistance with everything from fractions to geography. The applications are available in multiple languages to meet varying cultural needs.

Tux Paint

Tux Paint helps your child develop their creativity with a variety of interactive paint and drawing tools. The application is designed to help children learn while also having a little fun.

TuxTyping

Learning the way around a keyboard is now essential to childhood development. If you want your child to advance quickly in the classroom, you must encourage the development of their typing skills. TuxTyping is a free typing program designed to assist with advancing this skill set.

While you may want the best for your child when it comes to their educational development, your budget may place certain restrictions on your aspirations. Since the cost of a new computer can already be high, consider using free Linux-based software rather than costly alternative versions. These free applications are expertly designed and provide the tools your children need to excel with computers and technology.

 

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Ubuntu Releases Netbook Edition 10.10

March 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Ubuntu has released a version of its Linux operating system for use with netbook laptops. The Netbook Edition was developed to take into account the limited resolution and smaller screen size associated with netbooks.

Ubuntu is a popular operating system for people who are looking for options other than Windows or Macintosh. The desktop edition is free and is easy to access, install, and operate. There are other versions like 32 and 64bit versions that use the KDE desktop interface instead of the GNOME. But the Ubuntu Netbook Edition is the most different of them all.

The KDE and GNOME versions base their look and feel on Windows and Mac operating systems respectively but the Netbook Edition is taking a risk. The task bar is no longer across the bottom or the top of the screen; it has the dock-like app launcher on the left side of the screen which is different than what typical users may be used to.

In this left-side launch application, the main programs include Firefox, Evolution Mail, Empathy Instant Messenger, Cheese Webcam, Ubuntu Software Center, Rhythmbox music player, Applications folder, Files & Folders, and Trash. This set-up utilizes the available screen area without wasted space.

The Unity Interface that is the base of Ubuntu Netbook Edition is soon to become the basis for all Ubuntu operating systems in the future. The Ubuntu Desktop will be discontinued and all future Ubuntu developments will be based on Unity.  Interestingly enough, Fedora and openSUSE have just dropped their plans to integrate the Unity interface into their operating systems.

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Debian Version 6 Released

March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Debian project has recently release version 6 of the operating system which has been in development for 2 years.

This release does not contain a lot of new features – unlike new releases for other Linux products like Ubuntu or Fedora. However, this fact may be a feature for some Debian users who appreciate the stability of the product. IT managers will not have to set up upgrades for the company computer system or training sessions for the workers. The software included in the release typically has been tested and most bugs have been worked out.

Some features that are included in the Debian release include the Google Chrome web browser and the latest versions of GNOME and KDE 4. An interesting software inclusion is OpenOffice.org. Other Linux releases have switched to LibreOffice which is a version of OpenOffice.org that will remain free no matter what Oracle decides to do with the licensing of OpenOffice.org. Debian has already made the switch. Debian has also taken some ideas from other Linux applications; some of the software management tools from Ubuntu are now available in Debian.  Ubuntu’s Software Center and Management Update Tools are part of the Debian version 6 release.

For installation, you can use a network-based install media which allows all of the pending updates to be grabbed during the installation. There is also a LiveCD version available which allows users to try out the system before they install it on their hard drive. Debian has also managed to remove all non-free firmware from the installation.

Debian 6 offers stability for users who enjoy open source and the freedom it offers.

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Ubuntu Points to New Directions for Linux Distribution

December 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Tux, as originally drawn by Larry Ewing
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Every year, Linux developers rally at the Ubuntu Developer Summit, often called the UDS, to collaborate on ideas. Like any trade show, this is also a time when companies will unveil new projects and announce changes. This year’s meeting has proven to hold true to these expectations.

At the 2010 UDS held in Florida, called the Natty UDS, founder Mark Shuttleworth announced some changes to the user interface, stating that Ubuntu will be changing from the GNOME shell to a Unity shell. Shuttleworth also called a press conference to discuss the five-year plan for Ubuntu. In it, he reported on the projected adaptation of form factors. As an operating system, Linux works for desktops and netbooks, but Ubuntu wants to expand that to other markets.

One direction Ubuntu may go is into the auto industry. The company is currently working on developing in-vehicle and mobile systems for automobiles. It also hopes to be able to sync with mobile platforms. While it has plans to integrate with platforms like the Android, Ubuntu does not plan to expand into table devices, yet.

While the company focuses on other areas, Shuttleworth is aware that people are using the basic ideas from Ubuntu to create tablet devices. These ideas include the touch framework designed by the company and its core.

As a company, Ubuntu understands the need to release something new every six months and plans to do just that. In actuality, the company realizes the need to release something new every day. Because of this, the company is working to build a system where designers can achieve the goal while continuing to advance the company toward its goals.

In a world where everything can change at the speed of a click, Ubuntu seems to be preparing for the future with a solid plan that considers creativity.

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Linux vs Windows: Getting Software

October 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 27: In this photograph ...

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It’s said that you can complete about ninety-five percent of Windows tasks on a Linux system. That five percent that can’t be accomplished either has to do with gaming or media too, so Linux is completely viable as an office environment. Nonetheless, some rage and wail when thinking about transitioning to Linux. “The software!” they say. “What will I do without my software?!” In today’s entry, we will discuss the differences between Linux and Windows when it comes to getting your precious software in line.

Windows Software: “Exploring the Infinite Abyss”

Windows has a ludicrous pool of software to jump into. While there is some level of a compatibility struggle when it comes to older programs, the truth is that software coders have been developing for windows for over a decade now. This means that everything you can possibly imagine has been developed.

Perhaps most importantly, Windows is the primary platform that game designers look to when determining how to write their code. That means that many games simply will not run on your Linux system, but sail smoothly across your Windows interface. Games and other pieces of software are also relatively easy to install thanks to the installation wrapper (“Windows Installation Manager”) that interacts well with the OS.

The presence of countless pieces of software does create issues of its own. Software can negatively interact with either your system or your other installed applications. This means that one wrong step can result in a lack of system stability. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to uninstall the program by using the add/remove program feature, or even restore your system if it comes down to it.

Linux: Yes, Basically, It’s All Free

Linux provides fewer programs, but they cover all the basic needs.  You can go to openoffice.org to get office software.  You can find FTP software like FileZilla.  You can even get a free media player with vlc media player and p2p software like Ares.  It’s also easier to find and install the programs due to the software manager found within the OS. This allows you to locate, install, uninstall, and otherwise interact with whatever software you need. Thanks to testing from the distro you’re using, the software found here is also more likely to be stable and trustworthy.

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Windows vs Linux: Installing Software and Drivers

October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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We discussed software availability for Windows and Linux in a previous entry. To briefly summarize, Windows is a vast whirlpool of software. While it is massive and contains all you could possibly want, it can also be dangerous to maneuver. Linux, on the other hand, has a more elitist approach; it gives you the software you need, but makes sure that it’s “worthy of you.” Additionally, most programmers design with Windows in mind, meaning that Linux winds up as the ugly step-child. Beyond software presence, however, there are some major differences in the installation process, both for software and drivers.

Downloading and Installing for Windows

Software for your Windows computer can be found on disks or on the web. These executable files will either use the Windows installation manager or their own installation program. Downloads for software must be hosted by the software creator, so it is less certain that you’ll find a current and available version of what you’re looking for. Once downloaded, the installation itself should be relatively quick and painless.

Windows does have an automated program which allows you locate the most current version of your drivers. If you can’t find the desired driver through this program, you can generally find it on the web and install it separately. Most drivers are also set to check for updates on their own.

Most software and driver installations require that you reboot your Windows system.

Downloading and Installing for Linux

It is possible to find packages for Linux on the web, but the most popular and trustworthy method of getting software is through an application manager. Most distros have some software finder installed. This application can help you browse, search for, download, install, and remove the software you’re looking for.

Literally hundreds of different software types can be found here. Productivity software, media players, system settings tools, and more can all be located. The selection isn’t nearly as large, but the programs themselves are more tried and tested.

Drivers will update on their own. After installing drivers or software no reset is required.

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The Linux Operating System

October 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Before we talk about the Linux operating system, let’s talk about operating systems in general. Your computer’s operating system (Windows and Mac are also examples of an operating system) handle all of the basic, mundane operations that are necessary for using a computer. It is the operating system that determines which keyboard characters you are using, what you’re seeing (or supposed to be seeing) on your screen, whether or not the system is getting overheated, and making sure that the hard drive properly receives and stores data. If it weren’t for the computer operating system, each and every application you utilized would have to do all these jobs in addition to performing the task it was designed to do.

The Linux operating system performs the same operations as any other, but it can also perform operations that are unique to Linux itself. Further, the Linux operating system uses a “kernel” as its core part of the system. The “kernel” is divided into several sections, all of which work together to run Linux and, in turn, operate your computer.

The Linux operating system is also different in another way. Rather than having been developed by one or two companies, which allows them to “own” that particular operating system, the Linux operating system is the collaborative effort of many different corporations. For this reason, Linux is considered to be a free and open source software operating system. This makes it available to anyone who wants to use it.

Other operating systems are available; however, you may have to pay a fee or otherwise “receive permission” to download and use them. You don’t do this with Linux; you simply install the necessary hardware (if needed, which is rare) and install the software. This makes it quicker for you to access the top affiliate programs you need in order to successfully carry on your business.

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