They Tell Me Only To Use Microsoft Windows Not The Free Linux Operating System

Most people purchase computers to run programs – whether it is to send email, browse the web, meet friends of girlfriends on msn messenger, do office work or just play solitaire.

People buy computers to use programs for their functionality not to run operating systems be in Microsoft Windows, the new Microsoft Vista product , the Mac Operations Systems or the various Linux Operating Systems – be they Ubuntu Linux , Mandiva , Knoppix or Debian.

At the heart of most computer users is functionality and usability. It is as simple as that. It is an interesting situation that the Microsoft Corporation controls the vast lion’s share of the computer operating system market. Indeed it even has a major share holding of the next player in line – Apple with the Macintosh OS (Operating System).

What are the issues?

1) Linux is not really free. Linux, in its various flavors or distros, is given free of charge, whether it is on a cd, DVD or downloaded. You can install the program on your own compute or various computers , at no charge to yourself whatsoever

This is in direct contrast to a commercial product such as Microsoft Windows or the new Microsoft Vista which you to purchase a boxed version or a valid license which comes with most computer systems purchased. This license which comes on most new computers as a matter of course could be referred to as the “Microsoft Computer Tax” and is not an option you can forego, to reduce the purchase of your new compute – whether or not you wish to use another operating system such as Linux.

Linux is given free of charge to install. This is not a shareware or time limited version of the product which requires a registration fee after a period of time.

If you require product support or training commercial organizations do exist which will charge you for support of that product or for training or both. Indeed it can be said that Microsoft itself charges for product support, Symantec the antivirus / security organization charges for basic support by product, subscription fees – sometimes automatic subscription fees and 900 phone number and charge card “Priority Support”.

Indeed you would not expect your local school or technical college to provide computer and compute software training free of charge.

2) Linux is complex and will force you to learn the Linux command line,

Not true simple as that. The various Linux distros all have GUI (Graphic User Interfaces) just like Microsoft Windows, Windows used to come as command line DOS. Windows users use pull down windows to operate the software. So can and do most Linux users

3) Compared to Windows , Installing Linux is Difficult

- The vast majority of computer users are computer neophytes and beginners.

These computer users purchase computers with the operations system Microsoft Windows or the Macintosh Operating System installed on their new computers. These people could not install the Windows Operating system and the device drivers necessary if their life depended on it. How the situation of a Linux is based computer any different.

It is only a matter of time until new computers come preinstalled with the Linux operating system. Imagine if Henry Ford had been told not to build new cars since there were few good roads available in America.

4) My Computer Hardware Just Works Under Windows

5) Again untrue in many cases and soon to be less of an issue as more and more computers will come preinstalled with a Linux operating system. Already Dell Computer (which was a Microsoft stalwart) is selling Linux based laptops. Interestingly the response to the Ubuntu Linux dell notebooks is quite positive, If you think Linux hardware compatibility is an issue try upgrading to the new Microsoft Vista from your previous Microsoft Windows product. You will find to your surprise that few if little of computer hardware are supported. You may have upgraded to the new Vista and found you have either no sound, good video or even internet connections via your network adapter device or wireless network adapter. And try undoing your upgrade to get back to your working windows version – it cannot be done.

Lastly you may say I run Windows since all of the programs I use are available only on the Windows operations system – since that is the dominant player in the market. You may well surmise that since Windows is the more than dominant player in the computer OS market that software developers write their product almost exclusively for the windows operations system and that market.

This is true. If you are using a specialized product for your job, industry, situation or preference you may well be locked in.

In the end most people buy and use computers for functionality and use. Most people use their computers for internet browsing , communication – whether it by email or messenger services (M.S.N. , Yahoo , Skype , Eyeball Chat) , downloading and burning music and in more than many cases for playing nothing more than computer games such as simple solitaire.

In these cases the functionality of Linux and its program base easily allows for this. Indeed many of the cutting edge programs and computer services come out of left field by computer software developers and enthusiasts whose preference of Computer Operating System is guess what – Linux in its various forms.

Fake Security Cameras! – Do They Provide The Due Security?

You hear about it all the time – people bragging about the fake security camera that saved a bundle as does the work of a good home security system. Well, think again. The myth of fake security cameras should be shattered once and for all.

The truth is that cameras do not prevent crime. The fear of getting caught prevents crime. Security cameras are useful to identify and catch criminals, not to frighten them away. A fake security camera provides nothing but a false sense of security. It certainly can’t help law enforcement arrest and prosecute someone one’s who’s violated your privacy, property, and possessions!

A good home security system that uses cameras uses HIDDEN cameras that can’t be tampered with or blocked. Fake security cameras are easy to identify because they’re out in the open. The bottom line: fake security cameras are a waste of good money.

In fact, most would-be criminals don’t care about security cameras. They know it’s easy to change identifying clothing or use masks. They know not to look at the security camera and to hide their face from easy view. They also know about the significant time gap between the crime and the response. They’ll have time to get away and change clothes before the police show up. So cameras, whether real or fake, are not the important assets for a security system. Fake cameras are about as good as a stand-up picture of a cop!

If you’ve been thinking about using fake cameras to help protect your home or business, it’s time to revise your plan. Functional cameras are inexpensive and easy to install. Connecting them to a video monitor and VCR to record crimes when they happen is the best way to assure the criminal gets caught. Especially when you consider that a fake security camera is a waste of money in the first place, it’s well worth the expense to set up a real security system with real security cameras.

There is one situation in which a fake camera may influence or deter crime – crimes of opportunity like shop-lifting. These impromptu crimes are usually committed by inexperienced wanna’ be thieves. They don’t understand the way security systems work, and the believe a camera is a sure way to get caught and end in jail. So, a fake security camera may prevent petty crimes. But is it worth the risk?

Our advice is to truly protect your person and property by using reliable common-sense security measures and real security systems for your home or business. Fake security cameras may sound like a good idea, but criminals know better. The false security of a fake security camera is very false. It may make you overly-confident and open your home or business to tragedy.

No matter how realistic or expensive a fake security looks, it is still a fake camera. The truth is, you get what you pay for. If you think you can save a bundle by using a fake security camera, you’re likely to lose a bundle when you get robbed. It won’t deter anyone but the bothersome petty thief, it won’t help catch or prosecute real criminals, and it most certainly won’t substitute for a real business or home security system.

Abhishek is a Home Security expert and he has got some great Home Security Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 104 Pages Ebook, “Home Security Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Survival-Today.com/116/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Security bars – Do They Really Add Value? Is It Worth It?

All of us would do the best possible steps to secure our homes and businesses? Don’t we? One such measure is the use of security bars in addition to the doors and windows. These security bars definitely secure our property; however, does it prove secure to the family members or people who are inside our homes and businesses? Let us see this in the coming paragraphs.

Do you think invaders will sit in one place and think how to get inside a house that has security bars? Instead, he will check for various other ways of getting inside your well-protected home or the business, rite? Use of security bars can be called as the latest invention. However, in reality, rather than providing safety to people, security bars actually bring in lot of risks. To be precise, security bars have more disadvantages when compared to its advantages.

I have seen people who still use security bars that were got ages back. If you witness them carefully, you can understand that many would have rusted and you may find it difficult to remove them. You definitely have to spend a lot of time as well as effort in removing these rusted security bars. If this is the case, how do you think people can escape from inside during emergency situations. Take for example, the house is burning and people who are there inside have to come out. If they are unable to remove the security bars, how will they come out? Security bars protect people from outside dangers; however, what about risks that people may suffer when inside.

Earlier people used to go for security bars as they are much cheaper than the alarm systems. However, this is not the case any more. If you consider alarm system or monitoring systems, they provide you with greater security. Many companies install alarm systems for free and offer monitoring services at a reasonable monthly rate. These alarm systems or monitoring systems not only protect you from outside intrusions but also from natural disasters like fire, smoke, flood, etc.

It is true that security bars played a vital role in early days; however, why rely on the same old technology when you have other innovative and effective technologies in place. As how it is necessary to protect your sweet home and valuable business from intruders, it is equally to protect people who are inside the home from natural disasters too. Use the modern technologies that are currently available to protect your home.

Are you not in a position to spend for alarm systems or monitoring services? Due to this fact, you should not be deprived of safeguarding your home. Let me tell you some easy, cost effective and simple ways to protect your precious home. Plant thorny bushes under the windows in such a way that the view from the windows is not blocked, very simple…right? No intruder would want to injure himself or use a complicated procedure to break in to a home or a business. Illuminate the inside and outside of your house properly as intruders will definitely not want anyone to see them. These options are definitely economical when compared to security bars or any other type of alarm system.

If you ask me what I think about the worthiness of security bars, I would definitely say that it doesn’t add any value.

Abhishek is a Home Security expert and he has got some great Home Security Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 104 Pages Ebook, “Home Security Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Survival-Today.com/116/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Wireless Home Security Systems – Why They are Better

In today’s economic climate, more and more people are turning to crime so it is foolish to neglect your home security. People are getting so desperate as they lose their jobs and need to put a meal on the table. Some security is better than no security so take action now before it’s too late. So many people install a home security system after they are burgled – don’t let it happen to you first.

What is one of the most beneficial and cheapest methods of home security? Home security wireless systems provide a cost effective, easy to install solution that any DIY’er can install.

Wireless security systems offer considerable advantages over hardwired systems. With a hardwired system you ideally need a professional installation and this is often expensive. It is more expensive as there is not only the labor costs, but there are additional materials too, e.g. cabling, which you have no control how much you will be charged – from a professional company when they install the security system.

Although hardwired security provides a more permanent solution, this can be a disadvantage as the cameras and alarm systems cannot be easily re-located if you so require. When you move house your expensive hardwired security system will be left behind as it will simply cost too much to de-install it, then re-install it at your new home.

Permanent wired security systems will obviously have cables running to the peripherals, e.g. security cameras. Although a camera may be mounted high up and out of reach, the burglar can easily disable the device by cutting the cable going to the device.

With a wireless home security system these issues are not applicable. A wireless home security system is so straightforward to install, a typical DIY’er will have no problem. This will save you a substantial installation cost and you can install your system exactly where you want it. Any future problems, issues or maintenance with the wireless system can be carried out by the DIY’er too, thus saving costs in the future. You may want to add additional security devices to your system in the future and it’s so easy to do with a wireless system. No call out will be necessary as you simply install the devices and program it to your system.

If you are in rented accommodation, or are moving house then a wireless system is easily de-installed at zero cost. Of course you have the peace of mind that wireless security devices have no cables to cut so they will always carry on working. The only disadvantage of wireless security systems is that you will need to renew the batteries on a regular basis, based on the manufacturers recommendation.

If you are thinking of installing a monitored security system there are many wireless monitoring security systems available. The monitoring center is called via a transmitter by regular cell phone technology so if a burglar does cut the phone wire to your house, your alarm monitoring call will still get through. Also you don’t need a land phone line for this system to work so this is great for rented properties.

For more great advice on wireless home security systems and for more help on home security go to Home Security Systems Advice.

MCSA Courses: Will They Further Your Career?

The Microsoft Certified System Administrator is a user who is certified of having knowledge in System Administration of Microsoft Windows Operating System. The MCSA certifies the user as the one having the skills in implementation, management and troubleshooting of the rising needs of Microsoft Windows operating systems.


The MCSA course consists of two exams to be successfully completed. The two exams are the Core and the Elective exams. Both the courses consist of different areas of expertise. The MCSA course exams are as follows:


Core Exam

Windows XP Professional 70-270 Series

This includes the installation, administering resource, configuring desktop, configuring hardware, optimizing, networking and securing the system.


Windows 2000 Server 70-215 Series

This course consists of installation, hardware, control sources to files, folders, web and printers, optimizing server, troubleshooting, implementing remote access and terminal services, configuring disk and drives, networking server and using security features.


Windows Server 2003

The course consists of installation, upgrades, managing disk and hardware, administering resource and shared resource, networking, optimizing system and configuring desktop, using TCP/IP and securing system.


Windows Server 2003 Networking Management 70-291 Series

The test consists of TCP/IP protocol, IP addressing and routing, classless subnet masking and client address notification, dynamic host configuration protocol, domain naming system concept and server, security template, software updating, troubleshooting, LAN/dial up services and security.


Windows 2000 Network Management 70-218 Series

This test contains installing devices, managing group policy, resources, permissions, TCP/IP, remote access, controlling file and web access, monitoring and backing up files, configuring VPNs and terminal services.


Elective Exams

Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 70-284 Series

The course consists of managing exchange recipient objects, address list, policies, computer performance, troubleshooting and security.


Microsoft Server 2003 Administration 70-290 Series

The course consists of managing of physical and logical disks, configuring, monitoring and troubleshooting, managing computer accounts and users, configuring terminal services, using server management tools, managing the web services with the IIS 6.0, management of performance and security, planning and implementation of disaster recovery.


Windows 2000 Network Administration 70-216 Series

The exam contains working with DNS and DHCP, remote access, network protocol, WNS, NAT, IP routing and certificate services.


Exchange 2000 Administration 70-224 Series

The course consists of installation and co-existence, creation and management of recipient objects, group and connectors, deployment of internet messaging, administration of chat services, security, performance, working with clients and backing up of data.


Server 2003 Security Administration 70-299 Series

The test is made up of implementation, management and troubleshooting of security policies, network communications security and patch management, PKI administration, IPSec troubleshooting,


SOL Server 2000 Administration 70-228

The course is of installation, advanced installation, creating and managing the databases, extracting and securing data and its integrity, automation and performance.


Upon successful completion of the course in security or messaging in which five of the above test is to be passed, the user is certified as an MCSA. The completion of MCSA course is an added advantage for IT professionals across the world.

James Copper is a writer for http://www.electriciancareerchange.co.uk