Posted on 09/11/2010 9:24:44 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
If the idea of using Linux in your business is one that makes you nervous, chances are you've fallen prey to one or more of the many myths out there that are frequently disseminated by competing vendors such as Microsoft. After all, each Linux user means one less sale for such companies, so they have a powerful motivation to spread such FUD.
In fact, the ranks of businesses and government organizations using Linux grows every day, and for good reason: it's simply a good business choice. Let's take a look, then, at some of the top anxiety-causing myths and dispel them once and for all.
1. "It's Hard to Install"
Today, installing Linux is actually easier than installing Windows. Of course, most people don't install Windows themselves--rather, it comes preinstalled on their hardware, and that's an option with Linux too, if you're in the market for a new machine anyway.
If not, however, the best thing to do is first try out the distribution you're interested in via a Live CD or Live USB. Then, once you decide you like it, you can either install it in dual-boot fashion, so that both Linux and Windows are available to you all the time, or you can install Linux instead of Windows.
Either way, installation has become extremely simple over the years, particularly on distributions such as Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Most include a step-by-step wizard and very easy-to-understand graphical tools; they also typically offer a way to automate the process. A full installation will probably take no more than 30 minutes, including basic apps.
2. "It's Just for Experts"
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
fyi
Ubuntu runs great on one of my older dell laptops. It is actually fun to use.
I have a box that runs Linux Ubuntu that I use in the basement. It runs great. Adding things to it just takes too much time.
I heartily endorse Linux distros though. They seem to be pretty stable and run without any real hassle.
Does this mean no more mosque stories for a while?
The author says antivirus software is not needed. Infection does happen so what are linux users doing to rid themselves of viruses/malware?
I have to agree that Linux is finally ready for prime time. Ubuntu and the latest versions of OpenOffice and Gimp have made it possible for normal humans to get work done. Now if Quickbooks Pro was available I would even recommend it to my friends.
[Infection does happen so what are linux users doing to rid themselves of viruses/malware?]
I’ve never had it happen on one of my Linux boxes, so I don’t know. But I guess that’s the point.
Infection does NOT happen because Linux is more secure than Windows. There is a handful of exploits against old software, but they don't work today.
It also helps, of course, that downloaded files are not automatically executable. You can't receive an .exe or .scr in email and accidentally run it.
It is generally a good idea to run an antivirus on a Linux mail server, as a courtesy to Windows users. The Linux box wouldn't care one way or another. There are antivirus packages for Linux. But they mostly watch for Windows viruses.
If you just have a desktop install to browse the Web etc. then you don't need an antivirus.
If you are using linux commands to install your programs you are not using the program correctly, at least if you are using Ubuntu or Mint, the two I have experience with. It's true that you can use commands to do so but there is also an installer that works just fine for that purpose.
Linux makes me insane. I have it on a few virtual machines, and I enjoy it, but whenever there’s a VirtualBox update and I have to reinstall the Guest Additions, I curse Linux for its complexity.
I know this sounds picky but the only reason I don’t use Linux full time is that netflix instant play won’t function on linux, something I wish netflix would rectify but they probably never will since they use MS silverlight as their viewer.
Ubuntu has a “Flaming Mosque” distro.
IMO, there are only two major obstacles for linux adoption on desktops:
1: No game support. As long as games for the PC are for Windows primarly, Linux will never get any kind of adoption on high/mid-range home PC:s. And as long as Windows is the primary platform on home computers, games will be made primarily for windows...
2: Microsoft Excel. Simply put, Excel and Word are head and sholders above the competition. There are alternatives, sure (open office, google docs etc) but none that really measure up - especially in the spreadsheet market. As long as MS retains that competitive edge, Windows will be the preferred platform on business computers.
Yeah, that's been a huge problem for Apple. :)
PC gaming is fading out, anyway - most serious players prefer consoles.
Only because consoles have become more like PC's. Connectivity, the ability to do more than just play games, etc...
An absolutely foolproof way is to run strictly from a live cd.
Every time you boot, your have a clean install. There is zero possibility of anything other than hardware failure going wrong.
You can save all the files that you want to on your hard drive, as usual.
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Price: $14.99
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