1. Chapter 1. What is Linux?
Before reading this article, I had a limited knowledge of Linux. I knew that it was an open source software, and that it has a large online community of users. I didn't realize that Linux and Unix were similar programs, or that on a daily basis I use programs that use this code. Such as Firefox that uses Linux, or that Macs run on a Unix program.The online community that has been built around the use of Linux is fascinating, one example is that a bug can be corrected in just a few hours. While I understand it is an operating system with a large web based community, I don't understand how I would go about using the system on my computer. Do I just download the code, install it, and I suddenly have a new OS? Or do I have to build a computer system from the hardware up? I have just always been used to turning on a computer and having it ready to be used.
2. An Update on the Windows Roadmap
&3. What is Mac OS X?
From the blog on Windows, this creeped me out:
One of the key investments we made in Windows Vista was to create a comprehensive "telemetry system" that lets us gather anonymous information about how real customers are using Windows Vista, and what their experiences are with real applications and devices running on real systems. This has helped us prioritize the work of our development teams and of our hardware and software partners to make sure we have support for devices and applications. It also guided our work in Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1).
I looked up telemetry system on wikipedia to see what it really was, and it is a wireless system of transferring data. While it may be anonymous and help with the problems in certain applications, what data are they collecting?
With Mac & Windows, both of these operating systems have had trouble with compatibility between older and newer versions. I found it interesting that the next version of OS X, snow leopard, will focus on stability of the operating system. This is nearly the same as the statement from windows wanting to make the transition from XP to Vista with windows 7 an easy transition.
3 comments:
I agree that the online Linux community is fascinating - such a great example of a group of people using collective intelligence to solve problems. Much of it is over my head - but I'm happy to know it exists.
As a user, you could download Linux and run in on your machine for free. Once it's going, it looks much like any other operating system. I've used it on an older laptop, which was set up to boot into either Windows or Linux - I didn't do the set up, mind you, but it was fun to use.
The online Linux community is truly impressive. I can honestly admit that I had no idea as to how it all worked. While impressive in its uniqueness, scary for those of us used to Windows or Macs! Nice to have options, though.
Like you, my knowledge of Linux was very limited before this week's reading. I was impressed, though, by the idea of it being free to everyone, and how all users can contribute by finding solutions to fix problems with it.
I too am concerned with what data is being collected when I use Vista. I am not comfortable with
ANY data being collected during my use of Vista--I guess I am a fairly private person, and feel it is not proper for them to do that!
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