Overview of the ten major Linux distributions

A review of the 10 major Linux distributions out there, giving the pros and cons of each and every one of them

Introduction

The Microsoft Windows operating system is developed and released by a single company. It comes with a minimal set of applications (a calculator, a few games, some networking tools, an Internet browser.. etc). Other software can be obtained by users from various sources and installed on the operating system.

GNU/Linux is different. A GNU/Linux operating system is made of a Linux kernel, a set of GNU tools, an installation program, a package management system and a lot of other software components. Because all these components are free to use and to distribute, anybody can assemble and configure them according to their needs and create their very own GNU/Linux operating system. Since 1993, a lot of people and companies have been distributing Linux operating systems. These distributions made it easy for people to get and to install a working GNU/Linux system on their personal computer.

All distributions include the Linux kernel developed by Linus Torvalds and the GNU tools developed by Richard Stallman but they don't necessarily use their latest versions. Some distributions even make their own changes to the kernel. Distributions usually differ in the choice of software applications they offer, in the way these software applications are configured and in the way they are installed and upgraded. Distributions also differ in many aspects such as their philosophy towards proprietary software, their priorities between ease of use and efficiency or between stability and latest technology. In fact, every distribution is different and this means you have more than 350 ways to run GNU/Linux!

Of course some distributions are more popular than others. This article is dedicated to the 10 most famous and popular: Debian, Slackware, Fedora, Mandriva, Suse, Ubuntu, Knoppix, Gentoo, Mepis and Xandros.

The Best Freewares Guide

Here is some of the Best Freeware or opensource guidelines for newbie. The list of software, i have use for a few month. notice that is worth for try. 1. Browser - Firefox

Currently Firefox is version 1.5. This browser security is safer than IE. so far, meanwhile, firefox is mine main choice of web browser in term to loading page and unblock unwanted ads. It able to automatic update, change themes, better blocking advertisment, download engine included and tabbed browsing.

2.Bittorrent Client -Azereus

Azereus is a opensource software which using java technology. before running it. install the Java Runtime Environment. the bittorent client offering multiple torrent downloads, queuing/priority systems (on torrents and files), start/stop seeding options and instant access to numerous pieces of information about your torrents.

3. FTP Software - Filezilla Another opensource software that offer FTP features on client and server side. Filezilla is implement on windows based. you can install the FTP server on your computer or server. later that, use Filezilla client to uploading or downloading from anywhere.

4.VOIP Software - Skype

SKype has be most popular VoIP software on the net. Skype also offer calling local lines and mobile phone with minimum of charges. meanwhile, Skype having similar features like install messenger features and the latest version 2.0 has video conferencing. The Video and Voice call also can held on conferencing between few parties.

5.Download Manager - GetRight and FlashGet

Both of this software can downloading a files by breaking the link into few threads simulataneusly. so, the downloading can be increase into 5 times faster.

6.Anti Virus software - AVG

Survey proved that AVG is 70 percent usage anti virus software on worldwide computer user. since it offer totally free for user by GrimSoft Company.

7. Best Firewall - ZoneAlarm

Basic package of Zonealarm is free totally. it is my favourite firewall since it can track the network packet on my computer. meanwhile, it can block the application from using the internet.

8.Best Video Coder - K-lite video Code This Video code package consist a lot video standard whereby mostly support on downloaded video format files.

9. Best Multimedia Player - Winamp

This multimedia player which can play alot of video and audio format. meanwhile, it can direct burn the audio and video files.

10. Office Suite - OpenOffice

Openoffice is a opensource office suite which it is support by Sun Company. OpenOffice can read windows office files and convert the doc to PDF format. The features and application are similiar with windows office.

11. Web Coding Tools - PHP Designer 2006

My favour web coding tools. it is provide me flexible coding strucuture and having similar coding features like dreamweaver.

12. Best Compression tools - 7Zip

The compression tools having a lot compression algorithm format. it can read compression method like .zip .rar and etc.

Online Feed Readers - Web 2.0

Syndication content has become the heartbeat of the web 2.0 movement. A feed reader, the most common solution to consuming synidcated content, saves the user time by monitoring countless sites and sources and providing near real-time updates to one location.

At here, i summarize up some of the famous online feed reader:-

1. Bloglines
2. Feedlounge
3. GoogleReader
4. NewAlloy
5. Newsgator
6. Pluck
7. attensa
8. rojo
9. gritwire

Below it is a simple chart from techchrunch comparison among all of feed reader that mention above:-

Summary

Google Reader and FeedLounge are the fastest in our tests. Bloglines and Rojo are the best choice if you are looking for a feature rich application (and Rojo blows Bloglines away on “web 2.0″ type features).

AlertBear - Free Windows RSS Reader

RSS reader has been a common tools for everyone reading RSS feeds but there is some people say that reading RSS feed is like reading email. For me, i totally don't agree about reading rss feeds as reading e-mail.

AlertBear is a nice free rss reader for windows and install under your windows system tray. A stack will apper when there is new incoming rss content. meanwhile, You can scroll up and down it, see unread items by their cream colour and star icon, assign colours to your feed categories to make them easier to spot, click the arrow icon on each item to see expanded information, navigate through the list with arrow keys, page up/down or the mouse wheel and easily clear the stack with a quick stab of the delete key.

Features of alertbear:-

• color-coded categories
• mousewheel navigation
• feed auto-discovery

This software will be helping you a lot on managing and identifying the latest RSS content compare that surfing online news reader. I think this software is more suitable for small quantity of RSS feeds only.

Sky-Click: your web call-center with Skype

Skype’s success is giving many ideas to imaginative entrepreneurs (the Skype-conomy).Switzerland based Sky-Click is a an interesting idea released by Ads-Click that already launched a white label adwords/adsense-like plateform (used by Wanadoo ISP in Europe) as well as a pay-per-call ad format.

Sky-Click is a 100% web-based solution to set up your call center, built on Skype API and very easy to implement and use. The service does not require any particular hardware investment and can be easily integrated in a web site (e-commerce for example). All you have to do is downloading Skype client on the call-center collaborators’ computer. On the end-user side all you have to do is press the “call” button that will initiate a call (or a video call) to the call-center.

This call-center has all the important features you could expect from a professional solution: time management, availability of collaborators, call dispatching, waiting background music, feedback management (below a few exclusive screenshots)…

It has been designed for any kind of corporations whether big or not. Although I am not sure big guys will be first to rush on that solution , I believe that Sky-Click is quite fine for medium and small size businesses searching to reduce operational costs without compromising on customer care policy.Of course calls are free for end users and for corporations service is much cheaper than any solution available on the market: about 10 USD/ months / collaborator.

Sky-Click can also be used for other purposes like remote training or sales force management.

What is XP Smoker Pro?

What is XP Smoker Pro?

XP Smoker Pro is a program designed to help the average computer user increase the performance and stability of a computer running Windows XP with relative ease.

XP Smoker Pro includes an "AutoTuner" feature that enables any user from novice to advanced to tune the performance of their computer like a professional with the push of a button. In addition, there are hundreds more advanced settings for those who just want to get their hands dirty.

XP Smoker Pro will also help tame the services in Windows XP. The services can rob a lot of memory on a computer that could be used for something else, such as playing a game or using a spreadsheet program. XP Smoker Pro will automatically change the service configurations based on four presets for computer users who don't understand the services or are afraid to mess with them.

XP Smoker Pro also can help protect settings in Windows from being changed by other users. It includes 94 security settings, most of which allow a user to restrict the changing of system settings. There is also an option to password protect XP Smoker Pro to keep other users from changing settings.

ITunes Agent 1.0.1 Release

Seeking for other MP3 Player using ITunes software. Here iTunes Agent enables many non-iPod MP3 players to be used with iTunes. The software enables you to synchronize your MP3 player with an iTunes playlist automatically, or with two small mouse-clicks. the software is a open source windows based software and required .net framework software to installed.

Currently it has aanounce the latest 1.0.1 on their website. Have fun... now all of you can load the song from itunes software to other non IPOD device.

ClustrMap - Spot your site visitors from where ???

Did you think before where your site visitors come from ? or knowing which world zones visitor are enormous! Let me explain how ?? My Blog has been using clustrmap for one months. Since that. i found a lot of visitors are mainly come from USA and European side as below. The visitor no need click anything and just visited your website or weblogs is sufficent already. you can find it on right hand side bottom.

if you click on the world map. you will see something like this:-

if you seeking where your site visitor from... Try Clustrmap out.

Official clustrmap Website : http://www.clustrmaps.com

RSSOwl for Windows 1.2.1 Beta

RSSOwl has been developed for quite sometime. since i using it to read blogger news and news channel everyday. i found out is useful without going to surf net and click site by site. Why need RSSOwl ?

RSSOwl is a free open source RSS and RDF newsreader written in Java using SWT as graphic library. the software let us collect data from RSS-compliant sites, gather, organize, update, and store information from any compliant source in a convenient.

Here, RSSOwl window 1.2.1 Beta has been release recently.

Streamload- another online storage on web

Streamload is another free online storage provider that let you store up to 25GB for free - you can only download 100Mb per month though.

This web storage is totally fee on first 25G but this website also hope that you can subscribe their payment online storage account...

Like this box.net and Google Drive will facing huge competition from Streamland