Linux, The Free Operating System for Your Computer

If you have taken the time to read my bio you will notice that I'm biased towards the belief that computer operating systems should be inexpensive or even better, free. Several years ago I stumbled upon Unix while working out in the field as a computer support specialist. I became fascinated by this different type of operating system controlling one of the servers at a client's place of business. Wanting to know more I decided to do some research as to what Unix was all about. It was during this time I was introduced to the world of free operating systems and free software.

I have spent a great deal of time researching all the information I could find on why someone would go to the trouble of creating an operating system that he would give away for free. It is through this research that I discovered a whole community of people dedicated to ensuring the Linux operating system would remain free as well as free software to go with it. These people remain, to this day, dedicated to improving Linux as well as creating software that meets or exceeds the needs of the those choosing to use the above.

Ubuntu is just one such version of Linux that is fast becoming the most user friendly operating systems. Ubuntu comes packaged with software most used by all of us. You will find applications such as Open Office, equivalent to the Windows version of Microsoft Office. You will find everything from games to Internet browsers, programming to sound and video and much much more. All of this free and supported. Have a problem with a certain software package? You will find the answers available only a few keystrokes away. Type your problem in a browser and you will find a forum or website with the answer. If the answer isn't there, just submit your request for help and someone will be eager to help you.

Since Ubuntu Linux is free and open source this means the program coding is also accessible. For those who are familiar with programming, this becomes a great advantage to changing the operating system or software as you see fit. Another advantage is that you can get involved by providing feedback as to your likes or dislikes. If you are a programmer you can tweak some of the software and submit it to be passed along to other like minded people wanting to see that Linux and the software packages remain free to use for everyone.

Article Source: http://goo.gl/QQFlo

Swap Your Operating System From Microsoft Windows to Free Linux

The majority of computer users have Microsoft Windows operating system on their computers. It is true that Microsoft dominates the market... but have you considered other operating systems? This isn't a plug for any particular operating system but if you are considering purchasing a new computer because the old one has slowed to a crawl or you are fed up with virus or malware issues then think about swapping operating systems.

In fact it really isn't. Back in the day when Linux was young you were really super cool if you could figure out how to install the stinkin' thing. Now you can choose a variety of flavors of Linux and the installs are typically easy plug-n-play type installs. Linux has a tendency to be a much smaller install than Windows. I like the Ubuntu Linux... it is FREE and the install is typically trouble free.

If you are used to Windows, you can setup Linux and the "KDE" (K-Desktop) or "Gnome" interfaces which are fairly intuitive if you are used to Windows. As far as applications if you have been using Microsoft Office... install the free OpenOffice.org which is MS Office compatible. If you don't want to "lose" your Windows, you can either create a multi-boot system, allowing you to swap between Windows and Linux, or you can use a virtual machine host like VMWare and run Linux under Windows or vice-versa. If you are experimenting use the free VMWare server do a few installs tweak settings and get comfortable with swapping OS's.

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Android OS Features !!

The Android operating system is based on the free, open-source GNU/Linux operating system. The system itself is a Java VM running on top of the Linux kernel, creating an extensible and highly configurable environment. Developers have taken advantage of this to rapidly expand the features of Android and create a smartphone operating system with a lot packed into its shell.

User Interface

The user interface, or UI, takes mostly touchscreen input. While many Android device manufacturers add a custom software keyboard of their own, the default Android keyboard provides for quick, intuitive text input. When working with text, Android supports multi-touch screens that allow for pinch-to-zoom and multi-finger selection. Since the interface is designed to be universal across the entire system, users experience a single user interface for all interactions with their devices. This reduces Android's learning curve for non-advanced users.

Communication

The latest version of Android, version 2.3, brings native Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP, support to the system, enabling Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. Additionally, the native email client in Android supports Push, enabling up-to-date email. While Google provides Talk, a Google Talk app for chatting with other Gmail users, there is not additional built-in instant messaging protocol support. However, there are a number of third-party apps that provide AIM, ICQ, MSN and other popular chat protocols.

Media

Depending on the smartphone's processor, Android can play and record high-definition video. Both the popular MP4 and H.264 mobile video formats are supported, and other applications provide additional codec support. Android also comes with the ability to play a number of audio formats, including AAC, MP3, FLAC and others. As of Android 2.3, the operating system not only supports a digital camera, but also has native support for two cameras to facilitate video calling.

Read more: http://goo.gl/OC0E3

How to Reinstall the Operating System on an HP

Reinstalling the operating system on your HP computer is often a last resort to clear out a nasty virus or breathe some life into an aging computer. Reinstalling the system can return the HP to a like-new state, removing the sludge that builds up after years of computing. Luckily the process is fairly simple and streamlined and only requires you have the installation disc provided with your computer.

Instructions

Insert the Windows installation disc into the computer's disc drive. Select "Install Now" on the window that pops up.


Select the option to download any available updates from Microsoft. This ensures you are running the latest version of the operating system.


Enter your Product Key as prompted. This will either be on the disc's packaging or on the computer itself.


Accept the End User License Agreement. Select "Custom" installation. Select your current Windows partition (C: drive) as the installation destination.


Select "Next" to begin the installation. Follow the remaining on-screen instructions. Once installation completes, the computer will restart. Remove the installation disc as the computer reboots. The HP will launch into your newly reinstalled operating system.


Read more: http://goo.gl/PZ8Qg

How to Reinstall Video Drivers to Repair Video Problems

Sometimes you have to reinstall your video driver to resume video playback on your computer. Video drivers need to be updated and reinstalled constantly, and it's very important to take meticulous care when dealing with video drivers. Let's go over a comprehensive method for identifying and fixing problems related to video drivers.

So, what are Video Drivers?

First, let's go over what video drivers do. When your hardware manufacturer built the graphics card, it did so with the intention of facilitating use for as many customers as possible. As a result, manufacturers have to cater to people who are using many different operating systems.

Not every operating system works the same. In fact, although the base code for Windows has stayed the same for decades, advanced and future code bases alter the code environment markedly. As a result, manufacturers rely on drivers to translate their hardware's processes to the operating system. Through drivers, the operating system channels the hardware and enables its use.

So, drivers are essentially bits of code that work to create connections between the hardware and the operating system.

Why It's Necessary to Update Drivers

If a driver isn't functioning properly, then your operating system basically won't be able to recognize the hardware you are trying to run. So, your video drivers need to be constantly updated so that your machine can play video.

Whether you're running Windows Media Player, WinDVD, iTunes, or any other video playback software, updated video drivers are constantly working to deliver a consistent refresh rate for smooth video performance.

Why do Drivers become Outdated?

Drivers can become outdated for many reasons. If you upgrade your operating system, it's likely that some of your drivers will become outdated. This is because new operating systems have different protocols for drivers. However, drivers can become outdated for reasons unbeknownst to anyone. Fortunately, Windows does a good job of telling you that a driver isn't working, although sometimes it's difficult to understand why.

You can check the status of all of your drivers by opening the Device Manager, located within Windows 7 Control Panel. Once you've opened Control Panel, click on System and Security. Here, you can open Device Manager. Device Manager will display all of the hardware currently installed on your computer. A yellow exclamation mark next to any piece of hardware indicates problems with that hardware.

Using Windows Update for New Drivers

You can use Windows Update to locate new drivers and install them. It's fairly easy to use this tool to update your drivers. Here's how:

Click "Start."

In the "Start" search box, type in "Windows Update."

The search box will display "Windows Update" as a search result. Click on this search result.

Click "Check for Updates" on the left side of the window.

Click checkboxes next to all of the updates you'd like to install.

Click "OK."

Click "Install Updates."

This process should help you install necessary updates. However, there are some programs that are built to actually fix all of your driver problems at once. Windows Update is known to only fix problems that have already occurred.

Finding Great Programs for Driver Updates

It's a good idea to prevent driver errors before they even happen. This is why it's important to download and install a program that will scan your system for drivers and install any necessary drivers quickly. Many programs out there do this, but only choose a driver update program.

Article Source: http://goarticles.com/article/How-to-Reinstall-Video-Drivers-to-Repair-Video-Problems/3957935/

Windows 8 – After Windows 7

As Microsoft is wrapping up Windows 7, with the release to manufacturing deadline just around the corner and the general availability deadline set for October 22, the company is also looking forward to the next version of Windows. In this context, the software giant already confirmed officially that planning for Windows 8 had started long before Windows 7 was even close to Release Candidate stage. At the same time, Microsoft has also started hiring people to work on specific future features that will end up in Windows 8.

Still, don't expect the Redmond company to come out with details just yet. But there is some talk of where Windows is heading. Following the release of Windows Vista, questions and speculation began to circulate on whether the successor of Windows XP was the last mammoth Windows release that Microsoft would produce. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer denied the possibility, and Windows 7 proves that it wasn't the case. Windows 8 will not stray far from the client-side operating system concept that Microsoft has been executing with each release.

Ray Ozzie, Microsoft chief software architect, managed to offer confirmation of this to BBC. Asked whether Windows 7 would be the last dedicated version of Windows that Microsoft would release, Ozzie replied “No, by no means.”

“Windows 7 is a tremendously exciting release. It has many innovations in the real of Natural User Interfaces and other such things. Computers will always need an operating system. Something that makes it very friendly for users to use. The nature of the operating system is indeed changing because of the ubiquity and utility of the Internet. The operating system is increasingly connected to those activities that happen on the Internet. Windows plus Windows Live deliver that within Windows 7 and that kind of integration of experience just gets better and better over time.”

At the same time, the man who replaced Bill Gates at the lead of Microsoft along with Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer, doesn't see a prevalence of Cloud platforms over client-side operating system. You'll see the combination of desktop-based, phone-based and TV-based systems that are all connected to the net. We don't do everything that we do in a browser. When we have phones we carry those phones with us and we do activities on those. PCs have very useful things that we do on the PC, just tremendous experiences. Same with the television. We have yet to see even the beginnings of the kind of innovation that we're going to have when every television itself becomes a computer that's connected to the Internet.

Source: http://goo.gl/PMQLK

How to Upgrade Your Computer Operating System

There may be good reasons to upgrade your computer operating system (OS), especially if you are still using outdated system on your PC. You could decide to upgrade your operating system to a newer version or even completely to a different one or just to have a completely new version of a particular one.

Each time the world's most recognized computer companies comes up with a new version of operating system, so many people always wonder if they should change their present OS. Whatever decision you take is completely up to you. But you should never forget that to UPGRADE your now older version is going to cost you extra money, especially when the new version is still new in the market.

You should never forget that Older computer operating system can't just handle the new OS, mainly due to size and compatibility requirements. So you do need to think of this first. Let's say you've got a PC with only 512 megabytes of memory, you certainly won't be able to upgrade Windows 98 to a newer version with much success.

It is easy to Upgrade your computer operating system than most people think. But the first thing you must have to do is to save all your existing data just in case your Upgrade fails to work. Lots of downloadable programs are available on the web today that can assist you in doing this. Norton Ghost and SOS Backup are just two of them.

To Upgrade your older version on your computer with the new Operating System after backing up all your original system files, simply insert the disc which normally comes with every new computer operating system. Your Upgrading will instantly begin. You may have to answer few simple questions that'll come up on your screen whenever they appear. Bear in mind that Upgrading your system do take a lot of time. So be ready to waste that time while waiting for the installation to complete and never turn off your computer while this is still in progress.

After installing the new software, just have some fun playing around with it. If it fails to satisfy your test or requirements, you can still remove the new OS. Just use the Backup Disc to reinstall your system to the older Operating System. Don't forget that any existing software you had on your computer must be reinstalled after upgrading your system.

Source: http://goo.gl/0zEsY