Linux

Sick of the whole Windows thing?

Now, Microsoft Windows is just fine and dandy - it does heaps of things and for the most part, does them very well.  With the release of Vista the price of the operating system has jumped a bit, and for me, I just can't be bothered paying for it.  There's also the complex decision about which version to buy, do I want the home edition or a business version?

So, I've discovered Linux - I looked at it a number of years ago, but it was too much.  However, there's a nifty little version out now called Ubuntu that I've been running on my main home computer since March 2007, and all its cost me is my time.  (Ok, and some download time with the ISP - but I would have paid that anyways)

I must admit, its been a bit of a steep learning curve, and because I love to tinker I've had to reload the whole thing a couple of times.  (I've now learned how to back it up!).  But for the most part Ubuntu is stable and ready to use.  You can even download a 'demo' disk to give it a try before you install it on your computer.

Ubuntu has just about every program you could need for straight-forward computer use, and all without the price tag of Microsoft products.  There's image programs, a full office suite, web browsers, chat programs and a whole lot more.

I'm currently using verison 7.10, but I also have a version server edition that I use for running my home websites for testing purposes.  The server LAMP edition is excellent allowing me to run Apache, Mysql and PHP - great stuff for webdesign. (Not to mention getting a feel for how 'servers' work)

Using the Server edition, I've also deployed a SAMBA server, saving $1,000's by not having to purchase MS Server 2003.  I've got one server running a full domain, every bit as good as the MS version.  I still haven't found a suitable replacment for Exchange, but otherwise, its doing a sterling job.

Linux has also allowed me to deploy several proxy servers and firewalls - greatly enhancing the security of computer systems.  I'm using IPCOP that stops a whole lot of nasties before they even get to the network - it is just brilliant.  I used an old computer I had lying around and put in a few network cards and away it went.  It worked so well at home that I have now deployed the system to several other sites.

Ya gotta luv stuff for free!