A brief history of Linux

Volumes of data have been written on Linux on the www. All you have to do is to search the net for keywords like, "Linux History", "Linux Story", "Linus Torvald" and there will be huge data on the requested query. Then what was the need to write this post! This post is written to make people aware of an operating system that is not owned by Microsoft or Apple Inc. The issues addressed in this post are related to Linux operating system; Firstly, what prompted Linus Torvald, the inventor of Linux kernel, to create this OS? Secondly, If Linux is free for distribution then why do only a minuscule percent of population use it? Thirdly, What will it take to make this OS really popular, in terms of usage? To answer all the Qs above, a brief story need to be told. First let me tell you something about UNIX. Before the invention of UNIX, Computers were meant for a single purpose. Computer systems didn't talk to each other in the early days of computing. Even the various computer lines made by the same company often needed interpreters. And forget any interoperability of systems by different vendors! In addition, operating systems very often performed only limited tasks, and only on the machines for which they were written. If a business upgraded to a bigger, more powerful computer, the old operating system probably wouldn't work on the new computer, and often the company's data had to be entered - again - into the new machine. So the scientists and engineers from Bell Labs and GE collaborated with the help of MIT to build a mainframe time sharing system called MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service) But over the period the efforts to build an economically viable system failed! So some alternative had to be found out. Ken Thompson came up with a brilliant idea while playing a game "Space Travel" on the comp. He tinkered with the codes and unknowingly created the kernel (Heart of any operating system) for Unix. This laid the foundation for UNIX. In 1985, Professor Andy Tanenbaum wrote a Unix like operating system from scratch, and named it MINIX. A Finnish student named Linus Torvald first came into contact with Unix like systems through his use of this MINIX at the university of Helsinki Finland in Computer Science .Linus Torvald wanted to upgrade MINIX and put in features and improvements, but Andrew Tanenbaum wanted Minix the way it was and so Linus decided write his own kernel. That's why Linus Torvald created a kernel of his own; "Linux".He released Linux on the Internet as an Open Source product and under his own license and then later in 1991 under the GPL (General Public License) . Another Engineer, Richard Stallman, started the FSF (Free Software Foundation) as a development effort to promote the use of Free Software. Stallman recognized the need to write a free and open source Unix-like operating system so that people could have a Unix system under a non-propriety non-restrictive commercial license. The FSF started a project called GNU to fulfill this aim. GNU stands for "GNU is not Unix" (a recursive acronym). By 1991, GNU had already amassed a compiler (GCC- GNU C Compiler), a C library, both very critical components of an operating system, and all associated generic Unix base programs. But, they were missing a kernel, which was going to be called the GNU HURD.The FSF naturally adopted the Linux kernel to complete the GNU system to produce what is known as the GNU/Linux operating system, which is the correct term for all distributions of Linux like Red Hat Linux and SuSE Linux. Thus GNU Linux was born! Remember that Linux is just the Kernel or heart of Op. Sys. not the Op. Sys by it self! Now question #2, Why do a small percent of population uses GNU Linux? To probe this Q, let me make you aware of some facts! Did you know!

• That most of the Windows users never alter the settings/configurations of the system, except for changing wallpapers, screen savers, few peripherals and applications.

• Most PC users use their PC for defined work only. Eg., Gamers do not install office applications on their PC, generally.

• Most PC owners are not much interested in learning other operating systems (or at least having a look at Mac OS, GNU/Linux). They are very much contented with the system they have!

• Most PC users believe that you need to be a geek to tinker with codes, registry editor, jumper settings on motherboard etc etc. (Which is absolutely false!!!)

• Most PC users are unaware of the security issues with Windows. They prefer their "Crashed windows" rather than GNU?Linux or Mac OS. Some people still use Internet Explorer, very much oblivious of the potential threat looming on their desktop.

Although open source wants to replace Microsoft on the desktop, or at least make a serious dent in Microsoft's hegemony, to do that, the open source community must recognize that its primary goals: freedom of choice, freedom of source code, and freedom to alter applications, are not the goals of the average user! Most users of Microsoft products are content once they pay for the product. They are not bothered to change the codes (With Microsoft, that's impossible) even if they are given a chance! So when it comes to GNU/Linux, most people think that it's a geek's operating system and they cannot use it! That can be the valid reason as to why most people on the planet still prefer using Microsoft products and only few people are left using GNU/Linux. So if Linux has to be on every desktop, a strategic change would be needed! There are plenty of Linux Distributors like, Red Hat, SuSe, Vector, Mandrake, Mandriva, Debian, Ubuntu, Knoppix etc. etc. First of all, there needs to be a standardization in some aspects. So that if a person has to migrate from MS Windows to any of the linux distro, then the choice won't be difficult to make. As there will be some base standard. Also when Open source firmly believes in giving the end users freedom of choice to choose from a variety of Linux distro packs and customization of the system, it must also see to it that the interface of Linux is so easy to operate that there is no "freedom" of choice left but to continue using Linux! Linux can tie up with many computer training centers to teach the Linux operations. It's training must include setup of Linux on a new hard disk, Operation of the Root. Switching to the various GUI's like KDE, Gnome, ICEwm. Installing various application and adding peripherals, with their driver set. This can make a lots of people familiar with the Linux system. On the net, many people vouch that for starters, Ubuntu is the best Distro! That answers the final Question! I firmly believe that with a planned and strategic thinking, Linux will soon be seen on most desktops on the planet! And those who are thinking that why I am promoting Linux so much, well, I am a big fan of the Free Software Foundation and the Open Source! I am not at all a geek or tech nerd. But I would always love to customize the system I use! And more over, why pay and exorbitant amount to a company who gives you an operating system which you cannot customize it in the way you want? Moreover, the hassle does not end here! There are validation checks online, expiry of license over time period, calling off any technical and security support after few years and fines one has to pay for keeping any "pirated" copies. Trust me, you are free from all such headaches while using an open source op. sys.! So... When will you switch to Op. Sys. other than windows??? ;-) O.A.K.

Open Source Cyber Cafes

Just few months back, my work needed me to ride the information super highway (a.k.a. Internet). But as my net connection at my home was down, I went to the local cyber cafe, just around the corner. But I was welcomed by the owner with a shocking surprise. Instead of arrays of cubicles housing flat screen monitors, the shop now sported all the computer accessories and peripherals ! I was then supplied by the "inside info" that the police were pestering the owner and other cyber cafe owners in our area for possessing illegal softwares. Actually, the local police were under the pressure of the ministry, and were given powers to raid any cyber cafe at their discretion. The cyber cafe I visit have all licensed copies of the softwares they use! Yet they were forced to shell out wads of gandhi babas. Tired of warming the pockets of local "goons", the owner took the decision to change the line of business. Soon the cyber cafes started disappearing one by one! Once upon a time every lane in our locality had a cyber cafe! But now the epidemic of cyber plague wiped out all the cyber cafes from our area! That moment I just had a passing thought! How about an Open Source Cyber Cafe (OSCC)! Whether there is any practicality to this idea or not... I doubt! But there is no harm in checking out this option! By OSCC I mean, the computers in the cyber cafe will run Free or Open license operating system, like LINUX. Linux is an open source operating system. It simply means that if you are a programmer, and have an idea of improving the operating system then you can tweak the codes and have a customised operating system. You do not have to seek any permission from anyone regarding the little engineering you make. If the same were to be done on Microsoft's softwares, they would have screwed your arse hard! Infact, if your little engineering on the linux ops were really intelligently beneficial then, the distributor may choose to include your codes in the next upgrade of the OS! Linux has many distributors, viz. Debian, Mandriva, SuSe, Vector, Ubuntu, Red Hat etc. etc. They all market the Linux product. Although they are free, it does cost you to buy their product. The term "FREE" denotes freedom, as in freedom to tinker with the codes of OS. Not free as in FREE LUNCHES! If the local cyber cafes would carry these "free" OS on their consoles, then it would definitely leave the local police perplexed! Well, on what basis will they exhort money? But then as I said earlier, implementing this on a practical angle is quite difficult. Why? you may ask! Firstly, If you ask any layman in India, what OS do you have on your PC; Windows... tad comes the answer! To hear that a person using Linux is as rare as looking at Mona Lisa's original painting. Indian "Tech Geeks" seem quite averse to the friendly li'll penguin called Tux (That's the brand symbol of Linux) They give lengthy comments on Linux being "non-friendly" as if they have extensive experience working at CNET.com as reviewers! It's like commenting on Black Forest cake being spicy hot even before eating it! Secondly, the police are not the ones who will give up easily. One must fear the appetite of a hungry lone wolf, goes the old jungle saying. Well, its applicable even in concrete jungle! Thirdly, the cyber owners will lose out steam (read interest) of running the Open Source OS very soon. That's because very few people will come to such joints. Simply because, it's very difficult to brainwash a prejudiced Indian mind. For Indians, Linux is as alien as a creature from planet Pluto! That's it! While getting ready to type this post, I searched the internet for any existing OSCC's . That's when I stumbled upon Gary's Musings . One point to be noted here is that Open source softwares can be used freely for commercial operations also! So next time you get an opportunity to operate Linux, Just do not miss it. I am 100% sure that you'll just fall in love with it. It's graphics supersede that of Vista! Its minimum stress on the resources is unmatched by any of MS products! Its security is un-breach-able. Viruses stay a million miles away as Linux is un-vulnerable to 99.99% of viruses created! It is also crash proof, unlike Windows! The question now remains, why has Linux not reached the pinnacle of popularity despite its merits! This gives me an opportunity to write another blog! Comments on this post expected. Take care. O.A.K.

Promise Delivered albeit delayed!

I had promised long back that I will strike back in the blogosphere with loads of new things. But I found myself actually with loads of work. On the eve of the day when I planned to start writing blogs, I found a msg lying in my inbox. I never knew that the msg would take me to Moradabad, UP, India. Well, the trip started with an absolute indecisiveness. The train we (Anita, Yogita and me) boarded was Dadar Amritsar Exp. but it was nothing less than the mumbai locomotives, packed to its brim! We had decided to return home if it was not for a pot bellied TTE, who encouraged us to travel in the train with a wait listed (unconfirmed) ticket! And the journey continued and we reached Moradabad! At Moradabad, we took up the task of organising a huge satsang of 7,000 people in Moradabad's Railway Stadium. It was the first mega event for Moradabad-ians! During the work I witnessed countless miracles, unbelievable feats of marvel, North Indian delicacies, Time spent with Rishi Nityapragyaji! and People with a huge heart. The volunteers there treated us in a very royal way! I always wondered, whenever some swamiji or rishiji would talk about the miracles they experienced, whether they were true? But now, after a stint in Moradabad, I will agree to their last word. It is 100% true that when you do the work for divine, divine takes care of you! Make no mistake about it!!! After returning home on Guruji's B'day (May 13), I was occupied constantly in some work, that kept me tied. So today, taking out time from my busy schedule, I decide to pour out some words on the blog. One more nice thing happened with me! A few days before returning back to mumbai, I decided to meet my li'll cousin sis, in New Delhi, whom I did not see for last eight years! She asked me to join Facebook, yet another social networking (socnet)site. I actually spend less time on such social networking sites. But on her behest, I did join. But to my surprise, I found that lots of YES!+ youth religiously use facebook as an online communication tool! I then found that I was spending around 2 hours a day on facebook adding them to my friends list. Well, Now I understand how such (socnet) helps in keeping people connected. Here's a link containing fotos of Moradabad! Copy paste the link below in your browser to view the album: Trip to moradabad! http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=797&id=100000005163816&l=5aadba0725 O.A.K.

Geni - Family Tree !!!

Consider this situation: You are attending your relative's wedding and someone just pops up from the crowd and says, "Hi recognised me?? My god Last time I saw you you were so small. May be 10-15 years back right?" You keep wondering who that person is. You mentally climb the "Family Tree" to find the connection. Well, In the era when Social Networking rules, it has become more of a challenge to be socially networked offline. We, now-a-days spend so much time in front of the LCD Flat Screen that the world has started appearing flat! I was very much ashamed when I realised that I could not recognise people from my family tree! Here comes "Geni" to rescue! Geni is also one of a pseudo social networking site. I call it pseudo because, it looks like social networking acts like social networking but actually the purpose to make your family tree. You create an account and add the people in you relation to form a tree. You can also send an invite to them through email to complete the family tree from their side. As more and more people join you tree, your family will start looking more complete. I was surprised to see how big my family tree is! This is really a wonderful site, beautifully managed, lesser stress on bandwidth, lots of peripheral functionalities like statistics(Must check out!) Timeline, relatives, photos, videos and mainy the FAMILY TREE. Joining is very very simple. No much forms to fill. In fact when I got the invite from my uncle, I just clicked the link and my account was created. User name and pasword was automatically generated! No hassles! O.A.K.