At 08:09 PM 12/3/00 -0800 Joe Mezzanini wrote:
>THIS IS GREAT:->> http://hem.fyristorg.com/jspage/
Speaking of superCool APPs:)
Yes, they stole this idea from Linux or mainly X (the Unix Xwindowing system) which
has always had features such as multiple desktops and also virtual desktops where the
desktop is actually larger than the screen. This scares a lot of user, but once you
see the benefits it's nice. I've tried a program called Xdesk for windows, but it's
not so great.
ANOTHER FEATURE of Linux and Unix (Virtual Consoles)
One feature in particular I like are virtual terminals. You can hit Ctrl+Alt+F? and
switch between virtual terminals. Login as root on the console or first virtual
terminal (tty?) to monitor network activity and then login on another terminal to
start X and sign on to the internet.
It works like this, you can hit Ctrl+Alt+F? to switch to a console and login again as
same user or different account. Then you can hit Alt+F7 to switch back to X.
It's like having a 32-bit mutitasking mutiuser SuperDOS with 7 screens but much more
powerful. Infact, you don't even have to have a windowing system installed to use
the Virtual Consoles.
All these are different terms.
VIRTUAL DESKTOPS (many desktops, navigate with mouse or pager)
VIRTUAL SCREENS (desktop is larger than the screen, navigate with mouse)
VIRTUAL CONSOLES OR MULTIPLE CONSOLES (is like having dos running on one terminal and
windows running on another. You can switch between the 2. Linux has 7 predefined
which you can use even without any type of windowing system installed. navigate with
keyboard.)
MISCONCEPTIONS OF LINUX
What is Linux? They use the term hacker to mean someone (probably a programmer) that
takes code and makes it work on his/her system). For instance, "he hacked the program
originally written for BSD to run on Linux."
A hacker in this sense of the word is someone who wants to learn how things work. A
nerdy type of individual who craves knowledge and wants to understand what makes the
world go round.
http://www.linuxdoc.org/FAQ/Linux-FAQ/x13.html#AEN15
Now people who use Linux or Unix for their workstation do not normally do so as a
windows user would (but they could...). I mean, they would place all their
applications running on different desktops and switch between... For instance, I use
a virtual console to monitor network and firewall activity. If someone pings me or
tries to connect, I know who it is or at least their ip address. Now I also run X and
Netscape to monitor CNN (typical home user stuff). I could monitor another system
that I own. Another typical use is to run a custom application that performs a
specific task such as in a hospital, office, store or business. You could also read
email, news, and do other stuff, but I prefer my NT box for this.
A cheap home user's Linux server setup may include 2 or more networked computers using
the Linux box as a dialup gateway and firewall. One advantage to this is you install
a program on the Windows box which requires you to reboot. You do not have to sign
off line because the Linux box handles the connection. You reboot and you're still
online. Linux provides you with IP masquerading, there is no need for a secure third
party application to allow many computers to connect with just one modem.
You can setup a web server and ftp server. This allows you to try out different cgi
scripts or learn to create and debug your own scripts and websites without uploading
to the server or signing on to the internet. You can create a mirror of your website
on a local web server complete with cgi access.
Calling Linux a hacker OS(to use the media definition of a hacker) is incorrect. As
you can see, with very little money (example: an old used 486) and high speed
connection like a cable modem or DSL on a small home network, you can setup a web
business in no time flat! With services like dtdns you can even do it with a dynamic
ip address.
All those network and security programs you have to search for and download for
Windows, is already included in most all Linux distributions. Most of which can be
downloaded for free (yes, I mean the entire operating system!). If you have a CD-R
and preferably a high speed connection, you can download and create a Linux CD and
call it MY BLACK HAT (if that name is not already taken) if you want and you can sell
it too, legally.
Linux is part of the Open Source movement that believes all software should be free.
Did you know that you do NOT own any of your commercial software even though you paid
for it? Read the license agreement.
Why Software Should Not Have Owners, or why free software?
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/why-free.html
Ok, this re: is starting look like propaganda. I leave you with this thought: You
purchase a car and it is yours to do with as you chose; you can burn it, sell it,
redesign it, rebuild it, add stuff to it, or give it away.
You spend $100's on software which is NOT yours and you are controlled by the software
company as to what you can do with your "copy" of the software. If you do not follow
their rules you could go to jail for 25 years or more. Murders who get a life
sentence get out in 7 years. If you allow people to install your copy of a commercial
program onto their computer and get caught, you will be in the slammer for a long long
time.
But yet, software companies get away with selling junk. Software that does not work,
crashes your computer, or worse -- damages your data, etc. The license agreement
states that they (the software company) are not responsible. The catch 22: you must
agree to the software license agreement to use the software!
If you purchased a Chevy pickup that was a buggy as Windows you would have an
excellent chance of receiving retribution. But as you can see, with software (by law)
you have absolutely no recourse.
THE LINUX DOCUMENTATION PROJECT
http://www.linuxdoc.org/
Linux users are no smarter than Windows users. However, they have an excellent
resource in the Linux documentation which is installed with Linux. Read some of the
HOWTO's in the above link, especially the networking howto, modem or serial-line
howto, etc. These documents explain in detail how things work.
Linux is no better than Windows or vise versa. They all have their place in our life.
But why limit your abilities to one operating system?
/Jay
If you are one of those individuals who likes to take things apart and see how they
work, or make something do what you want it to... maybe you have an incisive need for
knowledge? according to the original meaning of the word, you are infact -- a hacker!
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