The UNIX operating system was developed in the 60’s and 70’s by a group of AT & T employees at Bell Labs.  Unix is used by both servers and workstations and is the basis for a wide variety of other operating systems.

The operating system under UNIX consists of many of the utilities listed above along with the master control program which is called the “kernel”.

The kernel helps start and stop programs, handle the file system, take care of other common high level tasks that most programs share and schedule access to hardware to avoid conflicts if two programs try to access the same resource or device simultaneously.

Besides the main kernel, UNIX systems also had micro-kernels which tried to reverse the growing size of kernels and return to a system in which most tasks were completed by smaller utilities.

In an era where a “normal” computer consisted of a hard disk for storage and a data terminal for input and output, the UNIX file model worked quite well as most input/output was linear.  However, modern systems include networking and other new devices.

Describing a graphical user interface driven by mouse control in an “event driven” fashion didn’t work well under the old model.

Work on systems supporting these new devices in the 1980’s led to facilities for non-blocking input/output forms of inter-process communications other than just pipes, as well as moving functionality such as network protocols out of the kernel.

Just as with other operating systems, the programming was updated periodically to add other features and to streamline processes that the system would run.

Ironically, the importance of the UNIX system is quite far-reaching.  In fact, some experts call it the most important system you’ll never use.

UNIX is mostly used by Internet servers and database servers.

It is a very efficient multi-user, multi-tasking operating system traditionally used by large companies and educational institutions.

It is scalable from a small system right up to a mainframe-class system (all you need to do is add extra hardware), which makes it suitable for anyone looking for a low cost, reliable operating system.

For programmers it has a wonderful set of built-in utilities, a programmable shell (command/user interface) and a straight forward structure that makes it very easy to quickly produce quite complex programs.

For end users, UNIX has a friendly graphical interface (called X Windows) and many business applications and games.

As we said, UNIX is used as a basis for other operating systems.  One of those is Linux.

Unix Operating System is a post from: Computer Spot

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The open source community has developed privacy-related tools to help you keep your data and online activities private.

With these tools, you don’t have to spend big bucks just to purchase expensive security tools. Whether you are a developer, student, or new open source user, you’re sure to find tools here that can help keep your data secret.

Developer Tools

• Jasypt – Jasypt is a tool you can use to add encryption to your code if you are not fully knowledgeable with cryptography. This tool uses standards-based encryption methods or techniques that allow you to encrypt text, numbers, passwords and more.
• JCrypTool – this tool allows you to learn about encryption and cryptography. It makes it easy for users to experiment on different encryption mechanisms.

Encryption Tools

• TrueCrypt – this tool can be used to encrypt just a single file, a particular partition or even the entire hard drive. It can also encrypt portable hard drives or USB flash disks. This can be used in Windows, Mac and Linux.
• AxCrypt – a file-encrypting tool that makes it easy for Windows users. Users can just browse and right-click the file they want to encrypt on Windows Explorer and viola, encryption is done. This tool is developed for Windows operating systems.

File Transfer and Sharing Tools

• WinSCP – this tool supports SFTP, FTP and SCP. Users can securely transfer files from Windows to Linux computers. This tool is compatible with Windows.
• RetroShare – with this tool, you can securely chat and transfer files with your peers. This is because you can setup your own network by sending your peers a key. Communication is encrypted using OpenSSL. This tool is compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems.

Network Security Tools

• Untangle – even if Linux operating systems cannot be easily attacked by malware or hacks, this tool can increase the security level of your Linux box. It includes firewall, intrusion prevention, anti-spyware, anti-spam, web filtering, anti-virus, VPN and more. This tool can turn any computer into a security appliance because of its all-in-one approach to security and network protection.
• Privoxy – this tool lets you setup a proxy server for protecting your privacy. It includes web filtering, removing ads, and more. Privoxy is easy to customize and users can apply with their network or on a standalone system. This tool can be used in Windows, Linux, Unix, OS X, BSD, and Solaris.
• Mixmaster – this tool allows you to send email messages anonymously or using an alias to anyone. This can be used with Windows, Linux, Unix, OS X and BSD.
• Remote BHO Scanner – spyware usually disguises itself as a Browser Helper Object (BHO), integrating itself to Internet Explorer or other browsers. This tool helps you determine if your Browser Helper Objects are spyware. With this, you can remove them manually and protect your data and privacy. This tool can be used in Windows operating systems.

Some Tools for Protecting Your Privacy is a post from: Computer Spot

As we all know, open source software’s source code is available to the general public for modification or use from its original design or structure free of charge.

One of the famous open source softwares is Linux operating systems.  But open source is not just about access to the source code.  It has free distribution and it does not restrict other software.

Have you ever wonder why you should use open source software?

This article sites the top reasons why you should use open source software.

• First, open source programs are RELIABLE.

Open source software’s source code availability to the public makes the program reliable.

Whenever there is a bug detected, developers or users tried to fix those bugs within a couple of hours, report it to the maintainers of the software and release an updated version.

Users may opt to choose to use the fixed version or the official version (including the fix releases).

• Second, open source software offers STABILITY to business.

Closed source software usually requires businesses to upgrade to the new versions of the software to support certain features needed.

This means cost for the business.  Using an open source software, businesses or users can have access to the source code.

That will allow the business to support itself to the old version where necessary and gives more options to the businesses or users.

• Lastly, since the source code is available for free, businesses, users or organizations are not limited to acquiring SUPPORT from the program authors or developers.

3 Reasons Why We Should Use Open Source Software is a post from: Computer Spot

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The Open Source community is celebrating another major achievement with the recent release of the final version of OpenOffice 3. OpenOffice has been very successful since its introduction.

The hype surrounding OpenOffice is understandable because it is long touted as the software which could potentially challenge the dominance of one of the most profitable business softwares ever produced – Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice has several major advantages over Microsoft Office.

• It is a free software and can be used for any purposes without licensing fee obligations.
• It is available for various platforms such as Windows, Linux, Solaris and even Apple Mac.
• Due to its open source nature, anyone can participate in its development and improvement, making it easier to eliminate bugs and request new features.

OpenOffice 3 is a suite consisting of 6 applications: word proccessor Writer, spreadsheet Calc, presentations program Impress, database program Base, equation editor Math and graphics program Draw.

OpenOffice supports many common file formats, notably OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.2 standard, PDF files and file formats supported by Microsoft Office 2007.

OpenOffice 3 has many new features. The notable enhancements and new features include Mac OS X support, ODF 1.2 support, chart enhancements, enhanced XML support, PDF/A support, multiple monitor support in Impress and further improvements in file formats support as well as internet integration and easy publishing.

OpenOffice’s ease of use is also one important reason contributing to its rapid rise in status to be one of the preferred application business suites in the market.

Each application come with user-friendly wizard, which walks the users through creating presentations, spreadsheets and other documents in a few minutes.

Although OpenOffice may be a godsend to most average users, some critical users maintain that OpenOffice is not good enough, yet.

Among the main complains are its unattractive interface, lack of templates, and allegedly problematic database and .docx extension supports.

What Does Open Office 3.0 have? is a post from: Computer Spot

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In my previous post, I talked about the introduction of open source software. In this post I am going to give a review of one of the open source software programs: Open Office Software. Open office is an alternative to the other commercial Office Suite software programs.

Open Office is an office suite that was developed for Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems. It comes with similar packages as the commercial brands, such as a word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc), and presentation maker (Impress).

Also, Open office also comes with a database and drawing tool. Besides all this, Open Office is compatible with Microsoft-based office files which would allow for a mixed-suite environment.

Open Office comes with a nice and user-friendly interface that is relatively the same as the Microsoft-based products. A user can easily use Open Office without having to make many adaptations to the layouts, features, etc.

The greatest advantage of Open Office compared to the other office suite products is the price. Open Office is free so the user doesn’t have to allocate a large sum (or any) of money to buy this software program.

Based on the cost (free) and the features available, it would be worth it to give this freeware a chance as a substitute for the commercial office suite software.

As I mentioned earlier, Open office is compatible with the Microsoft Office files, which are so widely used today, for the most commonly used features. Users can be confident in using Open Office without worrying about there being an incompatibility issue.

Open Office can be used with confidence for personal or business use (particularly for low to mid-level businesses) without a risk of loss of quality.

Just like the old saying, “Don’t judge a book from its cover” people will be saying, “Don’t judge a software program by it’s freeware.

For detailed information and downloading the software, just visit www.openoffice.org.

Open Office : Your Free Office Suite Software is a post from: Computer Spot

Probably you’ve heard of open source software but might not have fully understood what it is and why it even exists.

This article will describe this recent phenomenon and describe some of its benefits for the software using community.

In a nutshell, open source software is a software which is made by everyone for everyone. The purposes behind its development is open access, it will evolve into something that represents the true desires of computer users.

Through a wide network of user involvement, the software in question is enhanced and debugged without costs or administrative politics.

Traditionally, software is developed behind closed doors. A team of professional coders build it but the community at large isn’t part of its conception.

Commonly the developed software has cost product and as you probably guess, that cost is passed on to the end user: the consumer.

On the other hand, open source software is free. Free to download, free to install, free to use, free to modify, and free to share.

Started over twenty years ago, it’s a phenomenon that is gaining in both popularity and exposure. In its first conception, open source gave birth to the World Wide Web as we know it today.

Internet as a whole is the result of free permission to access the web, use the web, contribute to the web, and share the web with others. But it certainly hasn’t stopped there.

Netscape converted its commercial version of Navigator web browser to open source. And today, open source is venturing into the commercial realm as well.

At first thought, the idea of open source may sound just plain crazy to those who earn a living from software development. But the facts point to a different prediction.

Open source software puts companies in a terrific position to re-brand and re-position themselves in a market that they may have not been able to reach before.

In the business world, open source is all about image and when consumers witness corporations contributing (instead of selling) to the buying public, they gain big favor in the eyes of their users (plus tremendous opportunities to sell other items).

Inviting the public inside a product’s development builds community and trust. It also sets the platform for increased reliability.

Fans of open source programs are adamant about reliable software and highly criticize commercialized versions for being buggy and error-prone. Avid fans even proclaim commercialism is the cause of shoddy software.

Another benefit that open source brings to light is the speed at which its products are developed, enhanced, supported and distributed.

This is because the people who regularly contribute to an open source product do so for unmotivated reasons (other than perhaps to feed the ego).

They’re highly talented, they’re available, and they care. Bringing money into any project can almost mean instant death. It can kill motivation, desire, and a true willingness to create a good product.

In a commercial setting, participants work for a paycheck rather than for the product. And this is what puts open source projects far ahead of its monetized competition.

As a software user, this means you can contribute to an open source project as well, and help to develop it into a product that reflects your direct preferences.

You aren’t “stuck” using open source software the way you would be stuck using an expensive word processor or database.

You have the same access to open source software as its programmers have and in essence, you are your own customer!

There are plenty of open source opportunities sprinkled across the Internet and they can be easily found though any search engine.

Search on Google with keyword “open source project” and you’ll be sure to find more resources than you can shake a stick at!

What is Open Source Software? is a post from: Computer Spot