Simply Computers - Linux: An excellent option

A Different Operating System

Linux is an operating system, like Windows is an operating system. Both let you run programs,interact with hardware such as cameras and microphones, and use disk drives. They both have windows, mouse cursors, right-click menus, on-screen clocks, utilities, cool toys ... pretty much everything you could expect.

It is important to realise however, that they can only run their own programs – but there is an equivalent Linux program to most Windows ones . . . . .

Tux

Robust & Virus/Spyware Free

Linux is not susceptible to Windows viruses or spyware. Linux itself has practically no viruses, and is inherently a much more secure operating system. Also a Linux computer does not gradually slow down as time goes by, as a Windows one does. Linux is highly valued for servers because of it stability and security.

Simple to Update

With just a few simple commands or mouse clicks, you can update not just your operating system and one or two programs (as you can with Windows), but every single application on your computer. And, unlike Microsoft's once-per-month update cycle for Windows, most Linux distributions fix any problems they find within hours, so updating daily gives you great peace of mind.

Large Software Base

Linux is a low cost system to obtain and run. Not just the operating system, but all the available applications. Depending on the version of Linux you get, that can be thousands of software packages.

Which Version of Linux?

There are many different versions of Linux (distributions) for desktop and server use. Here are some that we recommend :

Debian (www.debian.org) is the base for many flavours of Linux. Often thought to be too geeky for an average user, it is a very stable linux distribution that can be used for desktop or server.

** Current version Debian 6.0 - Squeeze (6th February 2011)

Ubuntu (www.ubuntu.com) has made huge strides recently with ease of use, wireless connection and software installation. Has several different variations Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu!

** Current extended support version Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (26th April 2012) - Kubuntu is outstanding running KDE 4.8.2

This version (LTS = Long Term Support) has support for 5 years on the desktop and 5 years on the server (until April 2017).

** Current development version - Ubuntu 13.04 ( 25th April 2013)

Mint (www.linuxmint.com) This is an easy to install and use offshoot of Ubuntu favoured by many.

** Current extended support version Linux Mint 13 LTS (23rd May 2012)

Support until April 2017

Redhat (www.redhat.com) offers mostly corporate, enterprise solutions with extensive support. There are further useful distributions based around Red Hat such as CentOS (www.centos.org) or Scientific Linux (scientificlinux.org) which repackage Red Hat offering very stable options and Fedora (fedoraproject.org) which is the development distribution for new Red Hat releases.

** Current version Red Hat Enterprise 6.4 (21st February 2013)

** Current version Fedora 18 (15th January 2013)

** Current version CentOS 6.4 (9th March 2013)

** Current version Scientific 6.4 (28th March 2013)

Mageia Mageia offers a user friendly distribution with good administration tools.

Mageia (mageia.org) is a fork of Mandriva and is currently offering a second stable release version that shows a lot of promise.

** Current version - Mageia 2 (22nd May 2012)

Gentoo (www.gentoo.org) is a source based distribution that is optimised for your hardware. Often considered a "geeks" version of Linux but results in a strong, fast running operating system.

** Current version Gentoo 20121221 (21st December 2012)

Our Experience

We use Linux for all our business and office needs. We recommend it!!.

Support

We are able to provide skilled support for Linux whether it be deployed on server or desktop. We have experience using Linux for servers in a variety of networks.