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Home » Computers And Internet Articles » Pros And Cons Of Linux Is It Right For Your Business

Pros And Cons Of Linux. Is It Right For Your Business?

What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system, like Microsoft Windows, MacOS, or Unix. It was created as a hobby by Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland. What most people don't know about Linux is that its source code is available to anyone. The Linux source code is called the kernel and it is the base of the Linux operating system. Because the source code or kernel is free, it has enabled hundreds of companies and individuals to release their own operating systems based on the Linux system. These operating systems or formats are often referred to as Linux distributions.

Each distribution has its own set of features and functionality that makes it unique. While Linux is generally considered free-ware and people associate that with no cost, that is not always the case. Some distributions are available for download for free and others are available on CD or floppy disk and have a small charge associated with them. You can find a list of distributions at http://www.linux.org/ and a list of applications at http://www.Linux.org/apps/

Because if the adaptability of Linux it has been embraced and supported by a number of operating systems and software programs. For example, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other giants of the computing world have embraced Linux and support its ongoing development and openoffice.org and Mozilla run on Linux. US retailing giant Wal-Mart began selling Linux systems back in 2002 - if Wal-Mart isn't mainstream, nothing is.

What are the benefits of Linux?

Many people fear that Linux is going to be difficult to work with or that it will be difficult to find software that will run on Linux however Linux is a very standard operating system, compatible with just about any software you need.

Beyond being a standard operating system, Linux supports open source software which makes it a very economical operating system, especially if you program your own software. It offers many free or low cost applications which include, basic desktop applications like web browsers, email programs, word processing programs, spreadsheets, graphics programs, and file managers.

Linux can easily operate as a central server for your business. With Linux, you can serve your own web pages up for public consumption and handle your own email.

Linux doesn't require top of the line hardware though many recommend you have at least 256 MB of RAM and at least 4 GB of space in your hard drive.

Linux is considered to be extremely stable and doesn't need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. Think about the last time you sat at your computer and it froze. Not fun, right? That doesn't happen with Linux if it is configured correctly.

Linux isn't going to be replaced anytime soon and when bugs are found in the system, a developer are quickly on the job and often times a solution is offered within a matter of hours, not months or years like many other operating systems.

Linux is also fast and can handle a number of tasks at the same time.

Linux also claims to be one of the most secure operating systems isn't plagued with the viruses that other operating systems generally deal with.

Linux is free from having to upgrade it or deal with proprietary file formats and licensing fees. You don't have to register it due to its open source format.

You can have both Linux and windows on your computer. (You'll have to partition them on your hard drive and you can only boot them one at a time.)

Drawbacks of Linux

There is no 1800 customer service number to call. However, most distributions offer a support number or email to call if you find a bug. They also generally come with installation instructions.

You cannot run applications for MS windows on Linux. However, there are Linux emulators or applications that enable you to run some windows applications on your Linux system. They operate like a translator. Some of these 'translation or emulator' products are free and others are available for a price.

Linux is not able to run some advanced financial applications or reproduce some proprietary multimedia formats.

Tips and Advice:

Choose a popular distribution has a large developer community. A large developer community means that you'll find the programs that you need easily and you will be able to install them with the same ease. The more well-known distributions have prepared programs in 'packages' that are easy to install. On top of this, there are tools designed especially for a particular distribution to manage these packages to make sure that programs run correctly right away. The website Distrowatch.com maintains a comprehensive list of the most popular distributions.

Get the latest version of your chosen distribution. The newer the Linux distribution version, the better the hardware support. The number of glitches you'll get in the installation process decreases with the newness of the version of Linux you choose.

Consider paying for your Linux distribution. It is true that you can get a full-featured Linux operating system free of charge by downloading it from any number of sources. This is an excellent alternative to an operating system like Windows, which either comes pre-loaded with a newly purchased computer (which gets figured into the cost), is bought separately or copied 'illegally'. In most people's experience, the popular Linux distributions are easy to install. However, if you do run into some glitch (normally hardware related), you may have a frustrating experience. Although there are a number of excellent Linux support forums out there, personalized advice on your particular problem may be hard to find.

Use an appropriate computer. if you want to use Linux to do the same things that you would with Windows XP or Mac OS X, then you'll need the newest computer you can get your hands on. Avoiding 'elite' video cards and new, exotic hardware will also work in your favor because you won't have to deal with hardware support which may be inferior to hardware support from other operating systems.

Bottom Line:

Linux is a fantastic and powerful operating system that can handle most or all of your operating needs. It is secure, fast, reliable, and generally extremely cost effective. When purchased or obtained through a reliable distributor and installed and configured correctly there are virtually no drawbacks to running Linux. Additionally, you don't have to give up your windows if you don't want to.

MemberSpeed Content Management software can run on any Linux Any Linux based Hosting Platform (Preferably RHEL 3 or above).

And here is another random article you might be interested in...

Bad Credit Personal Loan - A Changed Attitude Of Lenders Towards Bad Credit

Are you afraid of applying for a loan, just because you have a bad credit? No need to fear anymore. You need to understand the fact that you are not the only one whose credit status is bad. Bad credit personal loan can be a solution to your this problem.

A bad credit personal loan is tailored to meet the personal needs of the UK residents who have a bad credit. Personal needs may vary from person to person. You may wish to buy a car, your children may wish to purchase a new toy and your wife may wish to remodel the kitchen. Bad credit personal loan support people with bad credit history to realize their dreams.

Bad credit rating people are identified as people who have made any default or arrears on any past loan payments. People who have faced bankruptcy, county court judgments and individual voluntary arrangements are also one of them.

Bad credit personal loan can be used for any personal purpose. The loan can be used for making improvements at home that can give a new look to your home. One can use the loan to consolidate his debts which will help him manage them effectively. Personal loan for bad credit can also act as a medicine to heal bad credit history. You can also use the loan to repay your existing debts.

UK residents with bad credit history can apply for either a secured or an unsecured bad credit personal loan. For a secured bad credit personal loan, a borrower has to put collateral such as an automobile or a property against the loan. Secured bad credit personal loans offer flexible repayment options satisfying the individual needs of the UK residents. An unsecured bad credit personal loan is just the opposite of secured loans; it does not require a borrower to put any collateral.

The rate of interest on a bad credit personal loan is comparatively high because there is high risk involved in lending money to people with bad credit. Loan providers try to play safe by lending at high interest rate.

Before, you start searching for a bad credit personal loan. Your first step should be to find out the exact credit score or the FICO score. A credit score attempts to condense a borrowers credit history into a single number Three credit agencies namely Experian, Trans union and Equifax can help you find your credit report. A credit report is a document that contains a factual record of an individual's credit payment history and reflects the credit worthiness of an individual. FICO score ranges from 300- 850. A FICO score of 620 and below is considered to be bad. Knowledge of credit score will help you find the best bad credit personal loan.

There are various lenders who will be ready to offer you a bad credit personal loan. Finance market in the past was ruled by the traditional lenders such as banks and financial institutions. Entry of online lenders in the finance market has widened its growth scope. A borrower can browse several loan lending websites. Borrowing a loan online makes it convenient for a borrower to grab the bad credit personal loan at best rate available in the market. The online process of applying for a bad credit personal loan saves the time of a borrower. It is easy to apply for a bad credit personal loan online. A borrower is just required to fill up a small online application form which he can do from his home or office internet equipped computer.

A little effort on your side can help you find the best deal. Collect loan quotes from the loan providers, compare them and find the loan that perfectly matches your financial circumstances.

Bad credit personal loan may help you finance your long awaiting desires. But, take care not to overspend. Try to improve your credit score by repaying your existing debts as soon as possible. Otherwise, you will get trapped in the vicious circle of bad credit rating.