My Freedom (Linux) Philosophy
Let me be down to earth.
People do not value if something is given free.
This is true in Africa, in Asia, and in Americas.
This stupid mentality is very well illustrated in Sri-Lanka.
The government to absolve and justify their stance of not
improving the education system over 35 odd years (almost the time of
the internal war) or so, give free school books and wash their hands
off.
Teachers are ill trained or not trained at all, and there is a
thriving industry of Tuition Masters, outside the main stream.
Then there is a leadership training program to inculcate
inferiority and subjugation of poor undergraduates.
Add to the above insult there is no orientation program and the
level of English is hopelessly poor.
So the undergraduates live a vegetative life (this
is not so 45 years ago) for few years and pass out with
a degree but without the skills for survival (survival of the
fittest).
Their skills in IT (except
for few) is inadequate.
Almost 97% of the students do not know there is an operating
system called Linux and BSD and “Linux Freedom” gives a very good
alternative system and choice of high value.
Above all majority DO NOT play games including video games (I
was an addict).
The above preamble,
Is to highlight the plight of Microsoft users (XP and Win 7) and I
now have a psychopathic elation to watch their misery.
My inner feelings (state) state that was not my original intention (over
the past 10 to 15 years) when I started educating young ones on the
philosophy of free software and free operating
system.
Everybody took me as a JOKE then. sometimes even my colleagues.
That is the very reason of my current elation.
I knew this was coming.
I have the last laugh and would continue to laugh at the Microsoft (Microshaft guys) guys and girls.
That is because now I enjoy the Linux Freedom.
That is a Freedom one could boast about, even at a time when we are fast losing our democratic freedom and free speech.
Below are two distributions that worth considering as an alternative
for Microsoft and Apple.
Even though, I do not use Ubuntu as my primary work horse (there are over 200 distributions, worth trying), I promote it without reservation because the Ubuntu forum/s are good backup resources.
Warnings
1. There are enough Free Linux (there was practically nothing except
Linux Bible and Fedora Bible when I started writing introductory
books) books to download now.
I have downloaded them and read a few but nothing like Linux Bibles.
I do not intend to update them since, by the time I finish my book, it
goes out of date.
Lately even (this was the oversight of Ubuntu, had they introduced
books, I would have been one of the first (very few) to buy them)
Ubuntu has produced books.
Best option is for me to write blog pieces once in a way.
I used to do that once a week when I started.
Most of the Linux guys and girls also have gone through this phase of fatigue, but not me.
I still read the Linux Magazine, waiting for it to come by mail is
like waiting for a “love Letter”.
Geeks are doing the magazine and they have the distant vision
in their grasp.
When one reads a books the instructions are general and not specific
like antibodies to Microsoft.
Microsoft and their viruses will remain for a foreseeable future
sometimes deliberately introduced by Microsoft cronies.
2. If one uses a Linux distribution (we call it the default set up)
do not try to tinker it.
If the desired outcome is not available please make a forum request.
Unlike Microsoft that take years to find a solution, in three month
you will get an update.
That is the beauty.
3. If you like to tinker, go ahead and do it but when you are in
trouble ask for help.
There is always few guys/girls who would do the needful.
4. Please be NICE to them; they just do it for fun not as a memorial
collection or they are not TAX collectors.
They actually save time and TAX for you.
To be nice to them is a mandatory requirement.
To be nice to them is a mandatory requirement.
5. I use light weight
distributions, even if they lack some security features.
Even if a hacker come through the back door into one of my
computers, I have many computers to fall back.
This happened only twice over the past 15
years.
One.
Stupid guy from India whom I traced
back.
Two
I used one my computers as a Cloud Sever as an experiment and it was
used almost as a Zombie.
I could
not save any of my working files and a mad guy (mad server probably)
was using its resources fully leaving me nothing.
I found a way out but that was not to my
satisfaction and ultimately come December, 2013 holidays, saved all
my data and withdrew abruptly from “Cloud Serving”.
5. In another five years even Linux will be Dead with cloud computing
would be taking a foothold.
I have already stated an undesired outcome of cloud computing, above.
So learn Linux by trial and error (Learning curve may be bit steep)
and stick to a base you are comfortable with.
1. Peppermint
I use Peppermint but it is minimal and for light work but has
all the resources (software) to download.
One has to tinker a bit.
2. Lubuntu
Lubuntu is good enough and light weight but it has few glitches
(understandable only a few guys are with the developer/s).
Change is good but changing everything isn't always great.
Same is true for aging computers and their operating systems. Support is sometimes lost too quickly with a 6 month core release cycle. Graphics & Audio cards and chip sets get dropped along with other miscellaneous functions with programs or drivers that just go missing. We all like having updated software we certainly don't like down time or loss of features and capabilities.
Same is true for aging computers and their operating systems. Support is sometimes lost too quickly with a 6 month core release cycle. Graphics & Audio cards and chip sets get dropped along with other miscellaneous functions with programs or drivers that just go missing. We all like having updated software we certainly don't like down time or loss of features and capabilities.
I believe most aging hardware just needs the right system on it, and
lets face it, it helps keep a couple bucks in your pocket if you can
squeeze a few more years out of your current system; without
sacrificing, performance, capability, usability and of course
aesthetics.
I decided to take a LTS version of Lubuntu, although not official it
was close enough. A nice stable seasoned release from which to build
from. I loaded it up with some heavy weight programs to ensure
covering all the bases while providing ease of use. I added and
updated the software repositories, and updated all the major programs
such as LibreOffice, Gimp, Openshot.
Finally I made sure it was beautiful, complete with a new theme
coupled by gorgeous wallpapers and drop shadows provided by Compton.
I also included a couple unique features like Random Wallpaper, Fast
Forecast, Aero Snap and the Conky system monitor layout. I then
decided to create both a 32bit & 64bit version of LXLE. They are
identical with a small exception. The 32bit version has compton
(shadows) disabled by default, it is easily enabled if desired.
The REAL SHORT OF IT is, this is a glorified remastered version of
Lubuntu 12.04, with plans for incremental updates until the next LTS
release.
Help or support can be achieved through existing (L)Ubuntu Forums,
Websites, Channels, Documentation and I'll help by email if I can.
3. Robolinux
Robolinux is pretty impressive but my advice is to use only 64
bit version with at least 4-GB RAM.
My 32 bit, old computer froze in a matter of five minutes.
It did not do any damage, even though Ese, Ctr+Alt, F1 to F7
did not work and I did not have any escape route.
Mind you, short cuts and command line work are the main stay in Basic Linux which this distribution has done away with.
This can be deadly for the RAM (if
one is panicky) and the Graphic Card.
I lost one using PCLINUX in last October.
Robolinux is a user-friendly, 100% fully configured, highly
intuitive, no-hassle, commercial Linux operating system that installs
everything you need in just 10 to 20 minutes.
Robolinux includes dozens of proprietary Wi-Fi and printer drivers,
plus it is the only Linux distribution that features an innovative
one-click, 10 second Windows 7 and XP virtual machine installer.
For 100% proof watch the video below:
See what Real Users are saying here:
Welcome to a virus & malware free life!
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