Alternative Operating Systems Fredericksburg PC Users Group June 12, 2003

Operating System Evolution UNIX CPM Dos Mac Windows Linux Others Timeline

A Brief History of Personal Computers and Operating Systems OS Year Intro Comments UNIX 1972 Derived from Multics at AT&T by Ritchie and Thompson, designed to be multiuser and networked MITS Altair 1975 First "Personal Computer", programmed by toggle switches CP/M 1976 First "portable" OS for microprocessors, ran on many different hardware platforms Apple I 1976 Apple's first product, used 6502 CPU TRS Tandy's first PC, Z-80 CPU, TRS-DOS Apple II 1977 Major improvements over Apple I PCDOS/MSDOS Microsoft's non-GUI OS's, IBM PC introduced using Intel 8088 CPU Apple Macintosh 1984 First GUI PC for consumers Windows First Microsoft Windows version BSD Berkley Standard Distribution UNIX Minix 1987 Small educational UNIX like operating system Windows Windows Linux Open source OS, functionally equivalent to UNIX, Current stable kernel version Windows First really good version of Windows WFWG Windows for Work Groups Windows NT Free BSD Based on BSD UNIX Net BSD Runs on almost any computer BeOS 1995 Originally ran on propriatary hardware Windows A major milestone in Microsoft Windows development Open BSD Very high security Windows NT Minix Windows 98/98se 1998, 1999 Major improvements to W95 Windows ME 2000 Interim version between W98se and XP Windows 2000 Pro 2000 Decended from NT Windows XP Home/XP Pro2001 Current version of Windows, decended from NT Mac OS X 2001 (Based on FreeBSD) Windows "Longhorn" ? Next generation of "Windows"

Personal Computer OS’s For the IBM PC and Clones: –Dos –Windows 98se, 2000 Pro, XP Home, XP Pro. –Free BSD, NetBSD, Open BSD –Linux For the Mac: –Mac OS X, which is a UNIX variant based on Free BSD. The rest of this presentation will concentrate on Linux on the Intel/AMD IBM PC platform..

Linux, an Alternative OS Linux –What is Linux –Similarities with DOS/Windows –Differences between DOS/Windows and Linux –Disadvantages –Advantages –Linux Applications –Other Uses –Distro’s –Installation Options –What’s New? –Resources –Summary

What is Linux I? The Linux kernel project was begun in 1991, by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish graduate student at the time. Linux is a functional clone of UNIX for small and not so small computers. Linux was turned into a complete OS through the assistance of hundreds of volunteers on the Internet. FREE - programs from various sources (MIT, the Free Software Foundation, aka GNU) can be copied and distributed without charge. Source code (usually C or C++) must be included. Many distributions are available. The difference is in the packaging, installation routines and support.

What is Linux II? UNIX has been under development since 1972, Linux since UNIX and Linux were designed from the beginning to be multiuser, multitasking and networked. Linux is “open source”, meaning that the kernel and most applications are provided with source code that can be freely modified or enhanced and if necessary, patched by users.

Similarities with DOS/Windows Similar file structure (subdirectory tree) and concepts: –Linux can read and write DOS/Windows (FAT, FAT32, etc.) partitions in addition to its "native" ext2 or ext3 file system. Command Interpreter, aka the shell - like DOS's command.com Uses environment variables. Has functionally similar command line options. Files are executable (binary or batch) or data. User has choice of command line shell, GUI, or both. Executable “shell” programs function like dos batch files.

Differences from DOS/Windows Implemented on several hardware platforms (Intel, Mac (68K and PPC), Alpha, MIPS,...) Multiple users can be running on the same machine at the same time. Each can be running several tasks. Any user can have four or more virtual desktops with different applications running on each one. Multi-user structure implies :  There must be a secure file permission system.  Users cannot be allowed to affect each other or the OS.  User(s) must log in (id/password) before use. Programs compiled to run on Linux do not run on DOS/Windows. Some DOS and Windows programs can run under Linux using emulators. Some applications have both Linux and Windows versions.

Disadvantages of Linux Flexibility can be intimidating:  Complex installation - no "turnkey", minimal PnP.  Most vendors won't pre-install onto a new computer.  Many command options (but you can use a GUI instead). Never originally designed to be user-friendly. Can have significant learning curve moving from another OS:  User must learn new commands and vocabulary.  Different "look and feel" for both OS and some applications although current window managers can now emulate Windows “look and feel” if you wish.  All file and command names are case-sensitive. Fewer consumer-oriented applications. However, emulators for Win32, Mac, etc. allow many other programs to run under Linux.

Advantages of Linux Costs Less! –Typical 10-user office: NT=$6000, Linux=$50-$150 (less if downloaded). –Cost for an individual ranges from $0-$150. Works Better!  UNIX and Linux are designed with security in mind. If and when security breaches are identified, they are usually patched almost immediately.  Most virus programs are designed to attack features or weakness' in the Windows operating system. Linux is virtually immune to virus attack.  Many Windows applications will run directly on Linux using Wine, Crossover Office or VMC.

Some Linux Applications Graphical Environment - KDE/Gnome/IceWM, Others Browsers - Mozilla/Konqueror - Kmail/Evolution Instant Messenger - Gaim Ftp Client - gftp Multimedia - XMMS/Xine/Cdparanoia/Cdrecord Image Browser - GQView Image Editor - GIMP Security - iptables/ipchains Office Suite - OpenOffice/StarOffice/KOffice File Browser - Konqueror Editors - Joe, VI, Kwrite, Gedit, OpenOffice Writer Games - Quake, Doom, SimCity, many others

Other Linux Uses A majority of the internet runs on Linux servers, including our ISP. Most current movie digital effects are created using Linux “render farms”. Many new “supercomputers” are created using clusters of Linux computers known as “beowulf” clusters. Linux is used in many devices such as “Tivo” as an embedded OS. Linux is used as on OS by some PDA’s (Sharp Zaurus)

Linux Distributions Red Hat, Mandrake, SuSE., Debian, and Slackware are the "big five" distributions, listed more or less in order of current popularity. All were priced in the $30-50 range, although the most recent release of Red Hat Professional has escalated to $150. Other popular distributions are Knoppix (which runs from a CD and can be used as a system rescue disc) and Gentoo (which you compile from source). Lindows can be bought pre-installed on PC's from WalMart's website for under $500. Popular Linux Distributions:

Linux Installation Options Installation - Unless you’re familiar with installing Linux, either get a boxed distribution with manuals or buy a Linux book which includes installation CD’s. Easiest install is with a bootable CD or DVD, but can be installed by booting first from a floppy or via NFS over a network. Used to install using floppy discs 10 years ago. Check to be sure your hardware is supported first. Free space - defrag first –4 + GB recommended, 1 GB min for non GUI Partitioning –/root - OS + other directories –/home - for your user files –swap = 2 x memory –other options 2nd HD - Dual Boot with Windows Dedicated Computer - Requires 386 or newer

What’s New with Linux Latest Distro’s - RedHat 9.0, Mandrake 9.1, SuSE 8.2, Knoppix 3.2, Slackware 9.0, Debian 3.0r1. SCO Suit - see the Bulletins page on the FPCUG website for links to the latest info. Microsoft is taking aggressive steps against Open Source and Linux in an attempt to reverse the flow of users away from their OS And Beyond Article - http// This article reveals where Microsoft and computing as they would like us to know it are headed over the next few years. http//

Linux Resources I Inexpensive Linux CD and Software Sources –Almost Free Linux - Source for low cost Linux CD distributions –CheapBytes - CheapBytes - Source for low cost Linux CD distributions –CheapISO.Com - Latest available ISO images –eLinux - Linux - Hardware and Software –Freshmeat - Latest Linux software and updates. –Linux Central - Linux Central - The /root for Linux Resources

Linux Resources II Linux Magazines –Linux Journal - Monthly Magazine (one of the first) –Linux Gazette - Monthly E-Magazine –Linux Resources - Monthly Magazine –Linux Format - Monthly UK Magazine –Linux Magazine - Monthly Magazine

Linux Resources III Information I –Distro Watch - Keeps track of all available Linux distributions –Major Linux Distributions - Lists 10 distributions, which are generally considered as most widely used by Linux users around the world. –yoLinux - Huge list of resource links –LinuxISO.Org - Linux ISO.Org –Linux.Org - Linux.Org –LinuxHQ - LinuxHQ

Linux Resources IV Information II –Linux Kernels - Information on the latest Linux Kernel Versions –Linux Organization - The Linux Organization web site. –Linux Devices - Keeps track of devices using Linux –Linux Today - Linux Today –Linux World - Linux World –MyZaurus - Sharp Zaurus PDA

Linux Resources V Top Linux Distributions –Redhat –Mandrake –SuSE –Debian –Knoppix –Slackware –Gentoo –Lindows

Summary Linux is a low cost, open source, multitasking, multiuser, network capable operating system for personal computers which is functionally similar to the UNIX operating system. Linux runs on Intel and AMD processors as well as many others. Many applications, both open source and commercial are available for Linux. Linux has become a viable alternative to the Windows OS on personal computers.

Alternative Operating Systems FPCUG, June 12, 2003 Presented by Josh Cockey Linux SIG Leader