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brayra@brayra.com

Last Changed
Jun-17-2004


Protecting Windows From Viruses
There are several things you can do to protect your computer from viruses. However there are six things you can do.
Google Toolbar for IE - Install the google toolbar in the internet explorer. This will make the internet explorer, less dangerous and it will block popup ads.
  • Firewall Software - ZoneAlarm from ZoneLabs is a good choice. The free version will work fine.
  • FireFox - Download the Firefox browser from mozilla.org and stop using Internet Explorer. The Firefox browser is far superior to the Internet Explorer from Microsoft. You will enjoy browsing the internet much more using this program. (Soon I will have tips of good things to add to Firefox)
  • Thunderbird - Although still being developed, this program is a much better email program that Mircrosoft's Outlook.
  • Ad-aware - Run the Ad-aware scanner from lavasoftusa.com. Again, the free version works just fine. This will clean up your computer. If you have installed programs from the internet, this will most likely cause your machine to run faster, now.
  • AVG Virus scanner - Download AVG Free Edition now    These six steps will have you running in a safe environment to allow you to enjoy the internet.

Free Software
When you buy a PC, you soon realize that you can do very little with your PC unless you buy software to go with it. That is why most PC retailers offer Microsoft Office with their PCs. My advice is DO NOT buy Microsoft Office. Order your machine with the cheapest configuration that will usually include WordPerfect or Microsoft Works. When you get the machine, uninstall that software. Now, you can install these free applications.
  •     OpenOffice - Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Drawing, and Presentation software.
  •     Gimp - Photo editing program
  •     AbiWord - Word Processor
  •     FireFox - Web browser. Replaces Internet Explorer.
  •     Thunderbird - A better email client than Outlook Express.

Replacing Windows with Linux
    Linux is finally becoming a suitable replacement for Windows. There are still some issues to consider. If you like to buy the latest technological gadgets, using Linux will sometimes be a frustrating experience. For the rest of us, it is a wonderful experience. If you dont' understand what Linux is, then read, "What is Linux?"

    Until Linux becomes more promenant in the computer industry, manufacturers of computer components will not be required to make their products compatible. The technical users of Linux have added the functionality to work with a great number of devices without the help of the manufacturers. For example: Most printers, scanners, video cards and even Palm devices will work with Linux. Even with these successes, it takes time for them to figure out some devices, and there is simply not time to figure them all out. In a couple more years, who knows. I think there may be enough people wanting compatibility that the manufacturers will take notice.

    For those with the techincal ability, Linux really is the answer to all our prayers. It's FREE. If you are not sure about Linux, please do try one of the CD distrobutions below. You can try any of these simply by putting the CD into your computer and restarting the machine. They are called Live CDs. It will start up your computer and come to a graphical screen that looks similar to Windows. You can try it out and if you like it, install onto your computer. NOTE: I would backup my data before installing it on my computer. Many of the distrobutions will allow you to keep Windows and install next to it, however it is not guaranteed to work.
    • www.Knoppix.org - This is the best Live CD available. Everyone should have copy of this.
    • www.MEPIS.org - This is similar to KNOPPIX but has even more software availble on the live CDs
    • www.MandrakeLinux.com - Mandrake sells a product called Mandrake Move. This is probably the easiest to use.
    • www.SUSE.com and the CD CD image This is a german company that is now owned by Novell. This distribution is very good. You can get telephone support if you buy a boxed version of this distro.
    • LinuxISO.org Most of the CDs can be downloaded from here.
    • LinuxCD.org Don't know how to make a CD. Order one online. The live CDs are about $5 shipped. You can order a CD of all of the above and many more.

    Linux is now fairly simple to install and manage. If you are in need of a web server or network server, there is no reason to pay for a Windows 2003 Server. Linux is cheap, fast, more reliable and more secure than Windows. Also hiring support for Linux is much less complicated. As long as your network is functioning, you can have support personell monitor and repair your network remotely. If an on site visit is necessary, then the technician should be able to finish a repair with much greater confidence and speed than with a Windows network.

    For those that think they will need some help, I would suggest buying a commercial distrobution. The best would be SUSE. You are actually buying telephone support to help you configure and troubleshoot your system. Both Novell and IBM can offer trained specialists to come and setup your systems.
    KDE for Linux - Since Linux itself has just a black and white text interface, there needs to be something that gives it a pretty desktop interface. The two major competing products in this area are GNOME and KDE. KDE is currently the most pleasant to work with. For older computers, you can use many other desktops that do not task the resources of your computer.

    Windows Programs - I have now stopped using any Windows programs aside from Quicken. So, I installed Quicken on my Linux machine after adding a program called Crossover Office. Crossover Office comes from CodeWeavers. When added to a Linux box, it allows you to install a great number of programs designed for Windows. Things like Photoshop, Quicken, Microsoft Office, Lotus Notes, etc.
    Microsoft Windows 2003 Server - Expensive and Flaky. If you wish to use their server products, you will have to license several programs, not just the operating system, but the servers programs that will run on the server.(IIS, SQL Server, MS Exchange Server, etc.) Due to the lack of IT expertise in this country, setting up a Windows 2003 Server will slightly easier than setting up Linux. However, it will be tremendously more expensive. Also, it takes at least one machine to support each server service you wish to make available. Linux can serve any number of services from a single machine without concern. Unfortunately, the Windows Server products have proven to be unreliable in my experience. Especially email products.

Wireless Networking
    Wireless networking is all the rage these days. If you have a laptop computer then wireless really is the most wonderful way to get onto the internet. If you have Cable Internet or DSL, then you can easily pick up a wireless CABLE/DSL router from your local electronics store. You will be up and running in minutes.

    Security - Is it safe? Well, unfortunately, the answer is a resounding, "NO!" If you follow safe computing practices, then you might be safe. However, if you are running Mircosoft Windows, then you cannot be certain that your computer is not going to be harmed by using wireless. Using the recommended software above, (Firefox, Thunderbird, Zone Alarm) will help, however, it is not enough. The explanation for this is far too technical.

    "But my wireless card for my computer says I can activate WEP or WPA security." Although that will protect your network from casual observers, it will not stop the identity thief or the high school student down the street. High School? Who am I kidding, even a sixth grader will be able to get past the simple wireless security. There are freely available programs on the internet that will automatically break into wireless networks. Anyone savy with computers can get them.

    When is it safe? Well, that is a tricky question. I is NEVER truly safe. However, if you live in an area where the houses are more then 100 feet apart and you are more than 100 feet from the road, you are relatively safe from prying eyes. Only because you will see them. If you live in an apartment or town home, forget it.

What is Linux?
Linux is an oversimplification of a greater thing. When people talk about Linux, they are usually referring to Open Source Software as a replacement of Windows. Linux by itself is simply an operating system kernel that allows a computer to turn on and start programs. When you start a computer with ONLY Linux on it, the computer would turn on and put a black and white "Login:" prompt on the screen. The software that makes it look like Windows, is Open Source software.

However, "Linux" is usually refering to Linux and all of the open source programs that are usually delivered with it. These compilations of software to accompany Linux are called "distrobutions" or "distros" for short.

You can buy a distro from companies like Red Hat, SUSE (Novell), Linspire, or MandrakeSoft. Or, you can download one of the many free versions, Fedora, Knoppix, Debian, MEPIS, Gentoo, etc. All of the distros are different. They have their strengths and weaknesses.

Why would I want to use Linux over windows? Two main reasons:
  • Cost - Linux doesn't have to cost anything. And, even if you do purchase a copy from a vendor, it comes with so much more. You are not buying a replacement for Windows. You are buying a replacement for Windows and almost any program you might need to use on a computer. A $400 computer with all the equivalent Windows software as that which comes with Linux, would retail for about $3,000 or $4,000.
  • Functionality - Linux can simply do more than Windows. There is no other way to put this. You can simply do more.

For my mom and dad, I would probably buy Linspire, since it functions much like Windows and in fact can run much of the software designed for Windows when necessary. Linspire is an oversimplification of the Linux operating system. Having said that, it's a good thing for casual users. My mom and dad do not need all the power of Linux. It would overwhelm them.

For a power user, I would recommend SUSE Linux. There is one reason for this. In Windows you have a control panel. SUSE has a similar panel that harness all the added functionality that Linux contains.

For a technical User. For the more technically minded out there, I would suggest Debian. You can install Debian in a variety of ways. The easiest would be to get the KNOPPIX or MEPIS live CDs and install them on your hard drive. With Debian and an internet connection, you have access to thousands of programs. For just about any task you would like to accomplish. You can search for the program you want and it will be automatically installed and configured. Very nice. Unfortunately, Debian doesn't have a control panel like SUSE Linux. If you want to customize Debian, it will require expert knowledge.