Beginning SUSE Linux from Novice to Professional
Authors: Thomas K.
 Published year: 2005
 Pages: 25-27/293
Buy this book on amazon.com >>

Modern Linux Development

Nowadays, Linux is developed not only by Torvalds, who manages the huge project, but also by hundreds of volunteers and corporations who contribute resources. Most recently, IBM and Novell have gotten involved and contribute hundreds of people to the effort of creating Linux. Sun contributes the OpenOffice.org office suite and sells its own version of Linux (which is based on SUSE Linux, as supplied on the DVD-ROM with this book). Corporations like Computer Associates contribute their own software, too.

These companies have realized that the best way of producing software is to share and share alike, rather than develop their own proprietary software and keep it secret. The proprietary ways of the 1980s are starting to seem like an ill-conceived flash in the pan.

Most recently, Novell found that by embracing Linux, it could massively enhance the functions of its aging NetWare product, yet without needing to return to the drawing board and start from scratch. It could just take what it wanted from the pile of Linux software. This shows the philosophy of Linux in action.

Linux has software for just about every need, ranging from simply receiving e-mail to running a huge e-mail server. There are databases, office suites, web browsers, video games , movie players, audio tools, and more, as well as thousands of pieces of specialized software used in various niches of industry (and too boring to mention here). Most of this software is available to anyone who wants it, free of charge.

What more could you want?



Summary

This chapter has detailed the history of Linux and explained where it came from. It also explained why Linux came into being. We looked at how Linux formed one of the building blocks of a political movement geared toward producing software that can be shared.

We discussed the creator of Linux, Linus Torvalds. We've also looked at the massive input the GNU Project has made and, in particular, that of its philosopher king, Richard Stallman.

In the next chapter, we move on to look at what you can practically expect from day-to-day use of Linux.



Chapter 3: The Realities of Running Linux

So now that you've learned about the politics, history, and personalities behind Linux, only one question remains: what's Linux actually like when used day to day? What should the average user expect from the experience?

These are the questions I hope to answer in this brief chapter.

Learning to Use Linux

What should you expect from Linux once you've installed it? Well, it's a little like running Windows, except there are no viruses, no crashes, and no inexplicable slowdowns.

In addition, you have complete control over the system. This doesn't mean Linux is necessarily complicated. It's just that you have the control if you wish to make use of it. We'll look into this in the latter half of this book.

Most software you use under Windows has at least one equivalent under SUSE Linux. In many cases, you'll find that the program comes preinstalled . It's unlikely that you'll need to download any additional programs and, even if you do, you'll probably find they're available for free.

In most cases, the Linux swap-ins are at least as powerful and easy to use as their Windows alternatives. Tabbed browsing in the Konqueror web browser lets you visit more than one site at once, for example, but without needing to have a lot of Internet Explorer instances running. Kmail has a search routine that lets you look through your e-mail messages quickly for a variety of criteria, and it puts the features in a similar Microsoft product to shame.

Does this sound too good to be true? There is just one caveat. Linux isn't a clone of Windows and doesn't aim to be. It has its own way of doing certain things and sometimes works differently compared to Windows. This means that many experience a learning curve when first using Linux. However, none of this will cause a problem for the experienced computer user. It's certainly no more difficult than the move from Windows 3.1 to Windows 95 (if you can remember back that far!). It's ultimately worth it.

Note 

There are several Linux distributions that aim to mimic Windows pretty faithfully. For example, Xandros, Lycoris/lx, and Linspire copy the look and feel of Windows to the extent that (allegedly) some people are unable to tell the difference.

In just a few weeks after your move to Linux, everything will start to seem entirely normal. Most of the time, you won't even be aware you're running Linux. Of course, some patience is required during those initial few weeks. Linux can be illogical and frustrating; on the other hand, so can Windows. We simply got used to it.


Beginning SUSE Linux from Novice to Professional
Authors: Thomas K.
 Published year: 2005
 Pages: 25-27/293
Buy this book on amazon.com >>

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