Transcript Linux - Optimal Resume at KAPLAN UNIVERSITY

Introduction to Linux
Nechiele T Whittington
Kaplan College
IT320-05 Operating Systems Concepts
Instructor: Denver Martin
January 24, 2010
What’s the story with Linux?
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When people think of computer operating
systems, the first one they consider is
Microsoft Windows. It is one of the most
recognizable operating system programs
available. But, there are other options, one of
which is the Linux suite of operating systems.
Linux Distros
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There are over 100 flavors (or distributions
(distros)) of Linux available to suit different
user needs.
Unlike Windows, Linux allows users to
customize their operating system based on
their specific needs. The open source nature
of the system is why Linux is so
customizable.
Linux Distros (continued)
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For ‘mainstream/public’ users (users that aren’t interested
in developing software, writing in specific programming
languages, working with enhanced security applications,
etc.), there are at least 50 flavors to choose from! Some of
the more recognizable flavors are Ubuntu, Knoppix, SuSE,
Red Hat, Fedora, Gentoo, Mandriva and Debian.
If security enhancement is your ultimate goal, there are an
additional 20+ flavors to choose from.
If you’re running platforms that aren’t Intel compatible,
(Sparc, PPC, Itanium are some platforms to consider),
users still have plenty of flavors to choose from.
There’s no limit to the distribution combinations available
to suit the Linux user needs.
So, what does Linux have to offer?
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Each flavor comes with core standard applications
specific to the distro and is customizable to suit your
individual tastes. For this exercise, we’ll focus on the
Ubuntu, SuSE and Knoppix Linux operating systems.
To start, we’ll review some of the basic system
requirements for each of these three systems. We’ll
then take a quick peek at the operating system core
application, utilities and user interface features and
ease of use for each program. The next step will be a
quick review of the intended program ‘audience’.
Finally, we’ll close with a personal experience user
recommendation.
Minimum System Requirements
Ubuntu 9.10
openSuSE 11.1
Knoppix 3.4 (Live
CD)
Processors
Intel compatible,
Intel compatible,
PPC, Itanium, 64 bit PPC, Alpha, Sparc,
Itanium,
Mainframe, 64 bit
Intel/AMD (i486
and above)
Memory
256 MB (384
suggested for Live
CD)
512 MB
120 MB for
graphical desktop
(500 MB
recommended for
office applications)
Hard Disk
3 gig
3 gig
CD/DVD Drive
Required for
Install/Operation
Yes for install/No
for operation
Yes for install/No
for operation
Yes- for Live CD
installation
Floppy Disk
Required
No
No
No
Desktop GUI’s
Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop
openSuSE 11.1 Desktop
Knoppix 3.4Desktop
Desktop GUI’s (continued)
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The previous slide showcases the individual Ubuntu 9.10,
openSUSE 11.1 and Knoppix 3.4 desktops as they were at initial
installation. No additional programs were loaded during
installation. As you can see, each one has a different layout. Don’t
let the images fool you though! While they may seem spartan,
each of these operating systems has quite a lot to offer. The
scalability alone for each one is enough to make you dizzy—for
instance, openSuSE has over 2,000 applications to choose from.
Special note on SuSE: because the operating system was
downloaded exactly as is with no additional applications, the tables
below will have very limited quantifiable information for review.
The next slide takes a quick glance at the applications available
with the initial installation of each of the captioned operating
systems.
Operating System Applications:
*Ubuntu 9.10
*openSuSE 11.1
*Knoppix 3.4 (Live CD)
Desktop Environment
Gnome
KDE or Gnome
LDXE (Lightweight X11
Desktop Environment)
Office Applications
OpenOffice (Word Processor, Spreadsheet &
Presentation), Dictionary
None on initial install
Open Office
E-Mail Application
Evolution Mail and Calendar
None on initial install
Kmail, Mozilla Mail
Media Players
Rhythmbox Media Player
None on initial install
Mplayer, K3b CD/DVD burner,
Kmix sound mixer, KsCD CD
player, xine
Internet
Browser/Messaging
Mozilla FireFox, Empathy IM Client, Evolution
Mail & Calendar, Remote Desktop Viewer,
Terminal Server Client
None on initial install
Mozilla FireFox
Netscape
Image/Graphics Editors
GIMP, F-Spot Photo Manger, OpenOffice
Drawing, Xsane Image Scanner
None on initial install
GIMP, KDVI, KGhostView,
Kpaint, Kview, Kooka,
Kuickshow, Scribus, Xaos (etc.)
Accessories
Calculator, CD/DVD Creator, gedit Text Editor,
Tomboy Notes, Disk Usage Analyzer, Calculator,
CD/DVD Creator, Password and Encryption
Keys, Search for Files, Take Screenshot,
Terminal
Kwrite Text Editor
XHTML, Emacs, Joe, Kwrite,
Zile, gvim, vim, Xedit (etc.)
Games/Entertainment
Logic, AisleRiot Solitaire, Blackjack, Chess,
Gnometrics, Iagno, Mahjongg, Nibbles, Robots,
Tali
None on initial install
Genres (each has subsets):
Adventure, Arcade, Board, Card,
Kidsgames, Puzzles, Strategy &
Tactics, Tetris-like, Enigma
Operating System Utilities:
*Ubuntu 9.10
*openSuSE 11.1
*Knoppix 3.4 (Live CD)
System Clean Up/Utilities/File
Monitoring
Computer Janitor, System
Monitor, System Testing,
System Monitor
Desktop Applet, Dolphin File
Manager, Konsole Terminal,
Terminal Super User, Xterm,
Install Software, System
Monitor, YaST Administrator
Settings, QT4 Settings
Kbackup, KDE System Guard,
Desktop Sharing, Kcron, F-Tape
tool, Nessus, Konsole, xload
(etc.)
Disk Partitioning
Palimpsest Disk Utility
Networking
Network Tools, Users &
Groups
Partition Image
Network Folder Wizard
DSL/PPPoE Configuration, isdn
Monitor
*Please note: because of the exhaustive size of available applications, utilities and features, the featured tables do not contain all included programs.
Operating System Review
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This is in no way a complete view of the three captioned Linux operating
systems—it’s more of a quick reference tool for the ‘right out of the box’
applications and utilities for each.
Each operating system reviewed has a number of pros & cons. For users
that don’t know much about Linux, I wouldn’t recommend SuSE. The
initial download (and the overall website itself) is not very intuitive so a
novice (like myself) will miss the initial software add-ons that can be
included during the installation. One of the pluses for SuSE is the ability
to create your own ISO. Both SuSE and Ubuntu offer a software
repository within their respective operating systems that organizes
software downloads and installations for the user. Knoppix is a great
system to cut your teeth on but the Live CD aspect makes saving and
upgrading a scary proposition for novices.
For me, the ideal Linux operating system turns out to be Ubuntu 9.10. It
was easy to install, has an easy user interface, and has most of the basic
programs I find useful. Additionally, getting user support tends to be
faster and more efficient of the three operating system reviews.
Resources
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Linux Online: http://www.linux.org/
Ubuntu: http://www.ubuntu.com/
openSuSE:
http://en.opensuse.org/Welcome_to_openSUS
E.org
Knoppix:
http://www.knopper.net/knoppix/indexen.html