Linus Torvalds

Linus Torvalds is the chief architect of Gnu/Linux, the world’s number one open source product. He is born on December 28, 1969 in Finland. He started work on a Unix-like operating system when he was just a student in the University of Helsinki and there he issued a call to all computer geeks to contribute their time on a project that will eventually produce the Linux kernel.

GNU/Linux operating system and its variants can be found in desktops, laptops, netbooks and mobile devices. These gadgets are changing the world as we know it.

The Thrill of Using Linux

When a newcomer to Linux asks which distribution he should try out first, I most often offer the community based distributions. These are Ubuntu, Fedora and Opensuse, not in any particular order. I am not here to pit one distro against another. My motive is purely driven by my own experience as a newcomer to Linux.

Using Linux is a journey. If you think using a new operating system is like an audition, then you’ll be disappointed. No operating system is perfect. Using Linux means a lot of questions and humps. There will be googling involved. Lastly, and this is my point, it involves asking other more experienced users for their opinions and their recommendations.

Community developed distributions are certainly prepared to give you wikis, documentations and forum. A place where users and developers often spend a lot of time talking about the distribution. Limiting your search for answers in this forum will save you time and headaches. My experience in these fora is one of friendliness and passion.

I’ll tell you why this works. People like me who once were asking the questions (i still do) become the source of answers. Knowledge trickles down. There is the thrill of finding another Linux user who is asking the same question you asked two weeks ago or six months ago or even a year ago. This happens more frequently to more people who uses community based Linux.

How Can You Not Get Ubuntu?

Three years ago, I consider it a personal accomplishment when I finished installing Ubuntu. I am fed up with Microsoft’s Genuine *something so I googled operating systems, linux and then Ubuntu. Actually I was reading the Red Hat Website before this. I figured why not be bold and try something I have not even heard before.

I am not a professional IT person, nor a power user and I have no experience in using Linux. I do love computers and I believe that the Internet is the future. I believe strongly that no company or group or committee should be able to hold sway the door to that future in behalf of another person no matter how benevolent. At that time I have no knowledge of open source or free libre software much less Richard Stallman nor Linus Torvalds.

I just want something NOT Microsoft.

I found what I was looking for in a community developed open source operating system called Ubuntu-in spades.

The Home version of Windows XP cost me 1,600 ps. Most users get their windows pre-installed. I installed the operating system, the drivers and downloaded the updates. I spent about a week getting my desktop ready. After 5 months, I come home to a computer that’s locked down with a message that I was using an unauthorized version of Windows XP.

I get Ubuntu from the Internet every six months. I do a fresh install every six months. I have my data on a separate partition to do this safely. This is now becoming a bi-annual tradition. A tradition that keeps reminding me that I should not take my freedom for granted.

Muelmar Magallanes: Selfless And Courageous

Muelmar Magallanes was an 18 year old construction worker and family man. In the afternoon that Typhoon Endoy (Ketsana) struck the Philippines, he was coming home to secure his home and family. After doing that, he went to see if he can help his neighbors. Before the day is out he will help 30 of his neighbors including a mother and her 5 month old baby.

Mr. Magallanes received the gratitude of a nation and the honor of being included in Time’s Annual list of heroes.

Mr. Magallanes died while saving people that afternoon.

No Excuse Now

Google Chrome browser for Linux was released the other day. I received an email with a link to the download and here it is. I tried to use the previous developer’s version since March. To be fair nothing beats its speed but I can’t really browse without the firefox plugins or add-ons.

This time its different. Google releases the beta version. The beta includes add-ons like xmarks, adblock, noscript and a lot more coming in the coming weeks. The beta can also print and preview printing.