Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

User:Eracc

2008-04-02T20:00:45Z

Eracc: /* Who I am */

== Who I am ==
I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband. I have a technical blog at [http://blog.eracc.com blog.eracc.com] that covers FOSS and CSS with news, reviews and commentary.

== A bit about me ==
I have been a Unix systems installer, administrator, troubleshooter, and reseller since early 1988. The company where I got my start went under in July 1989 due to poor management and I began my own business selling plus installing SCO Xenix based Point of Sale systems in August 1989. My company branched out into building personal computers and selling the accessories and peripherals for same soon after. We are still a small family owned business that focuses totally on commercial and non-commercial ''alternative operating systems'' (meaning non-[[Microsoft]]) and hardware for same as of today (November 2007). I hope to contribute information to Conservapedia from my long experience with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as [[Linux]] as well as other ''alternative operating systems'' like IBM OS/2 and Serenity Systems [http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation].
== Other ==
Unless this sentence is removed assume e-mail to me is not yet working and contact me via my [[User_talk:Eracc|talk]] page.

User:Eracc

2008-04-02T20:00:18Z

Eracc: /* Who I am */

== Who I am ==
I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband. I have a technical blog at [http://blog.eracc.com] that covers FOSS and CSS with news, reviews and commentary.

== A bit about me ==
I have been a Unix systems installer, administrator, troubleshooter, and reseller since early 1988. The company where I got my start went under in July 1989 due to poor management and I began my own business selling plus installing SCO Xenix based Point of Sale systems in August 1989. My company branched out into building personal computers and selling the accessories and peripherals for same soon after. We are still a small family owned business that focuses totally on commercial and non-commercial ''alternative operating systems'' (meaning non-[[Microsoft]]) and hardware for same as of today (November 2007). I hope to contribute information to Conservapedia from my long experience with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as [[Linux]] as well as other ''alternative operating systems'' like IBM OS/2 and Serenity Systems [http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation].
== Other ==
Unless this sentence is removed assume e-mail to me is not yet working and contact me via my [[User_talk:Eracc|talk]] page.

Talk:International Business Machines

2007-12-20T21:32:20Z

Eracc: /* Changes */

==Changes==
I fixed some typographical errors, made a clarification and added the fact that IBM is a strong Linux advocate. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:54, 20 December 2007 (EST)

I clarified the IBM - Lenovo deal a bit as the information there was sparse and incomplete. I did a little more research about IBM's Linux advocacy and filled it out with references. I also added information about IBM's OS/2 operating system and its' current status as a third party product called eComStation. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 16:25, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Yet a bit more cleanup and clarification. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 16:32, 20 December 2007 (EST)

International Business Machines

2007-12-20T21:31:42Z

Eracc:

'''International Business Machines''' (Commonly known as '''IBM''') is a large American computer technology and consulting company, founded in 1889. While the term "IBM compatible" has been widely used to indicate that a personal [[computer]] can use the [[Microsoft Windows]] Operating System, as of 2005 IBM no longer directly manufactured personal computers. The personal [[computer]] manufacturing arm of IBM was sold to the Chinese company [[Lenovo]] in 2005 in return giving IBM an 18.9% ownership stake in Lenovo Group which makes IBM the second largest shareholder following the Chinese government<ref>[http://www.idc.com/about/iw_lenovo_acquires_ibm_pc.jsp Lenovo Acquires IBM's Personal Computing Division]</ref>. This move gave IBM a crucial foothold in the very large Chinese [[information technology]] market. IBM currently sells computer hardware and software while continuing to offer infrastructure and consulting services for other businesses.

IBM is also a strong advocate<ref>[http://www-03.ibm.com/linux/ IBM and Linux]</ref> for the [[GNU]]/[[Linux]] operating system. This advocacy followed on the heels of IBM's failure to gain wide acceptance for its' [[OS/2]] personal desktop operating system. In 2005 IBM stated that [[OS/2]] users should consider migration to Linux<ref>[http://www-306.ibm.com/software/os/warp/migration.html OS/2 Warp Upgrades and migrations]</ref>. Some [[OS/2]] users and marketers created a rebranded [[OS/2]] called [[eComStation]] with the permission of IBM. The [[eComStation]] operating system runs previous [[OS/2]] applications as well as new applications ported from [[Open Source]] projects. Further development of [[eComStation]] continues by third parties to keep [[eComStation]] running on newer hardware.

==References==
<references />

==External Links==
[http://www.ibm.com/ IBM] 
[http://www.lenovo.com/ Lenovo] 
[http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation]

[[category:industry]]
[[category:computers]]

Talk:International Business Machines

2007-12-20T21:25:08Z

Eracc: /* Changes */

International Business Machines

2007-12-20T21:22:16Z

Eracc:

'''International Business Machines''' (Commonly known as '''IBM''') is a large American computer technology and consulting company, founded in 1889. Although the Term "IBM compatible" is widely used to indicate that a [[computer]] can use the [[Microsoft Windows]] Operating System, the personal computer manufacturing arm of IBM was sold to the Chinese company [[Lenovo]] in 2005 in return giving IBM an 18.9% ownership stake in Lenovo Group which makes IBM the second largest shareholder following the Chinese government<ref>[http://www.idc.com/about/iw_lenovo_acquires_ibm_pc.jsp Lenovo Acquires IBM's Personal Computing Division]</ref>. This move gave IBM a crucial foothold in the very large Chinese IT market. IBM currently sells computer hardware and software while continuing to offer infrastructure and consulting services for other businesses.

IBM is also a strong advocate<ref>[http://www-03.ibm.com/linux/ IBM and Linux]</ref> for the [[GNU]]/[[Linux]] operating system. This advocacy followed on the heels of IBM's failure to gain wide acceptance for its' [[OS/2]] personal desktop operating system. In 2005 IBM stated that [[OS/2]] users should consider migration to Linux<ref>[http://www-306.ibm.com/software/os/warp/migration.html OS/2 Warp Upgrades and migrations]</ref>. Some [[OS/2]] users and marketers created a rebranded [[OS/2]] called [[eComStation]] with the permission of IBM. The [[eComStation]] operating system runs previous [[OS/2]] applications as well as new applications ported from [[Open Source]] projects. Further development of [[eComStation]] continues by third parties to keep [[eComStation]] running on newer hardware.

==References==
<references />

==External Links==
[http://www.ibm.com/ IBM] 
[http://www.lenovo.com/ Lenovo] 
[http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation]

[[category:industry]]
[[category:computers]]

Talk:International Business Machines

2007-12-20T20:54:35Z

Eracc: New page: ==Changes== I fixed some typographical errors, made a clarification and added the fact that IBM is a strong Linux advocate. --~~~~

==Changes==
I fixed some typographical errors, made a clarification and added the fact that IBM is a strong Linux advocate. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:54, 20 December 2007 (EST)

International Business Machines

2007-12-20T20:52:55Z

Eracc:

Talk:GNU/Linux

2007-12-20T20:36:06Z

Eracc: /* Changes */

Notes on the differences between Ubuntu Christian and Ubuntu Satanic versions:
The Christian version of Ubuntu actually modifies the base software that comes with the distribution, adding software such as Gnomesword and Dansguardian with the distro; i.e. it's a distribution. Ubuntu Satanic on the other hand, is just Ubuntu/Kubuntu with a "satanic" theme; i.e. colors, wallpaper and some graphics. If the user S.E. either deleted or selecting another theme, you would be back to the basic Kubuntu distribution.

I can find no references that Ubuntu Satanic Edition is either a parody or in response to the Christian edition. The author of the article on DesktopLinux.com<ref>[http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html]</ref> makes a comment that the theme is a response to the Christian edition, but that appears to be an assumption on his part, as I can find nothing from the authors on the Satanic version site that indicates that it is. --[[User:Brewer13210|Todd]] 10:15 March 21 2007 EDT

: I agree, describing the Satanic Edition as a parody is a point of view. Clearly the people behind it intend to serve a user base they think exists.

I wasn't sure what this statement meant: "The theme is an example, such as Ubuntu Christian Edition [3], of GPL licensed software which may be modified and re-released." So I rewrote what I thought it was meant to mean. If I was wrong, feel free to fix it.--[[User:All Fish Welcome|All Fish Welcome]] 17:47, 14 April 2007 (EDT)

I am wondering why we even need to refer to a so-called ''Satanic'' version of any operating system in an encyclopedia. I have not removed or edited anything to do with that (so far) but as far as I am concerned it is fluff information that is not germane to someone seeking information about Linux kernels or GNU/Linux distributions to use. Unless of course we want to tell folks it exists so they can go get a copy? --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:20, 20 December 2007 (EST)

==Who did what==

The article, like most in the trade press, gives far too much credit to Linus Torvalds and downplays the work of Richard Stallman inexcusably.

I took out this sentence, because it is incorrect:
*"It was started in 1991 as a university project by Finnish student [[Linus Torvalds]] as a replacement for the [[Minix]] operating system."

In fact, "Linux" (i.e., the GNU/Linux operating system, began ''nearly a decade'' before Torvalds got started:

*'''The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software: the GNU system.''' [http://www.gnu.org/]

We should give credit where credit is due. Our web site runs on free software like Apache and GNU, thanks to RMS!! --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 11:56, 10 July 2007 (EDT)

: Actually, Linux is just the kernel of an operating system. Linus Torvalds ''is'' the one that started the Linux kernel. Richard Stallman (RMS) had nothing to do with that. What is incorrect, but unavoidable these days due to marketing types and ''the press'', is to call Linux an operating system. What makes an operating system is the kernel (boot code), drivers (may be in the kernel or modules) and additional software (the GNU project tools). Technically correct folks will call the blend of these parts GNU/Linux but the marketing and press types will continue to just use Linux. I believe we are not going to be able to change that trend here but we should be technically correct '''and''' give the correct people their due consideration. For Linux, the kernel, that would be Torvalds. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:04, 20 December 2007 (EST)

==Changes==

I made some small changes as I thought that the article was a little confusing to somebody with no experience of Linux. I'll continue to edit the remainder of the article if nobody has any objections. --[[User:davidklein|davidklein]] 14:45, 8 November 2007 (EDT)

*Thanks for your additions, David! --[[User:TK|şyŝoρ-₮K]][[User_Talk:TK|/Ṣρёаќǃ]] 15:08, 8 November 2007 (EST)

I made several changes and added some clarification back in late November (2007) but did not notice this talk page at the time. I am rectifying that oversight today. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:10, 20 December 2007 (EST)

On another point, several of the edits I made refer to external sites. Some of these could be brought inside Conservapedia when we create information filled pages for them. So far several of the internal page links I see on Conservapedia are very sparse. The one for [[Ubuntu]] is an example of what I mean. I am not knowledgeable about Ubuntu so I am not going to attempt to edit that page to add more content at this point. But if we are going to have internal referrals like these then the resulting pages should be more than a ''one liner''. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:36, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Talk:GNU/Linux

2007-12-20T20:20:47Z

Eracc:

Talk:GNU/Linux

2007-12-20T20:10:04Z

Eracc: /* Changes */

Notes on the differences between Ubuntu Christian and Ubuntu Satanic versions:
The Christian version of Ubuntu actually modifies the base software that comes with the distribution, adding software such as Gnomesword and Dansguardian with the distro; i.e. it's a distribution. Ubuntu Satanic on the other hand, is just Ubuntu/Kubuntu with a "satanic" theme; i.e. colors, wallpaper and some graphics. If the user S.E. either deleted or selecting another theme, you would be back to the basic Kubuntu distribution.

I can find no references that Ubuntu Satanic Edition is either a parody or in response to the Christian edition. The author of the article on DesktopLinux.com<ref>[http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html]</ref> makes a comment that the theme is a response to the Christian edition, but that appears to be an assumption on his part, as I can find nothing from the authors on the Satanic version site that indicates that it is. --[[User:Brewer13210|Todd]] 10:15 March 21 2007 EDT

: I agree, describing the Satanic Edition as a parody is a point of view. Clearly the people behind it intend to serve a user base they think exists.

I wasn't sure what this statement meant: "The theme is an example, such as Ubuntu Christian Edition [3], of GPL licensed software which may be modified and re-released." So I rewrote what I thought it was meant to mean. If I was wrong, feel free to fix it.--[[User:All Fish Welcome|All Fish Welcome]] 17:47, 14 April 2007 (EDT)

==Who did what==

The article, like most in the trade press, gives far too much credit to Linus Torvalds and downplays the work of Richard Stallman inexcusably.

I took out this sentence, because it is incorrect:
*"It was started in 1991 as a university project by Finnish student [[Linus Torvalds]] as a replacement for the [[Minix]] operating system."

In fact, "Linux" (i.e., the GNU/Linux operating system, began ''nearly a decade'' before Torvalds got started:

*'''The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software: the GNU system.''' [http://www.gnu.org/]

We should give credit where credit is due. Our web site runs on free software like Apache and GNU, thanks to RMS!! --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 11:56, 10 July 2007 (EDT)

: Actually, Linux is just the kernel of an operating system. Linus Torvalds ''is'' the one that started the Linux kernel. Richard Stallman (RMS) had nothing to do with that. What is incorrect, but unavoidable these days due to marketing types and ''the press'', is to call Linux an operating system. What makes an operating system is the kernel (boot code), drivers (may be in the kernel or modules) and additional software (the GNU project tools). Technically correct folks will call the blend of these parts GNU/Linux but the marketing and press types will continue to just use Linux. I believe we are not going to be able to change that trend here but we should be technically correct '''and''' give the correct people their due consideration. For Linux, the kernel, that would be Torvalds. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:04, 20 December 2007 (EST)

==Changes==

I made some small changes as I thought that the article was a little confusing to somebody with no experience of Linux. I'll continue to edit the remainder of the article if nobody has any objections. --[[User:davidklein|davidklein]] 14:45, 8 November 2007 (EDT)

*Thanks for your additions, David! --[[User:TK|şyŝoρ-₮K]][[User_Talk:TK|/Ṣρёаќǃ]] 15:08, 8 November 2007 (EST)

I made several changes and added some clarification back in late November (2007) but did not notice this talk page at the time. I am rectifying that oversight today. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:10, 20 December 2007 (EST)

Talk:GNU/Linux

2007-12-20T20:04:57Z

Eracc: /* Who did what */

Notes on the differences between Ubuntu Christian and Ubuntu Satanic versions:
The Christian version of Ubuntu actually modifies the base software that comes with the distribution, adding software such as Gnomesword and Dansguardian with the distro; i.e. it's a distribution. Ubuntu Satanic on the other hand, is just Ubuntu/Kubuntu with a "satanic" theme; i.e. colors, wallpaper and some graphics. If the user S.E. either deleted or selecting another theme, you would be back to the basic Kubuntu distribution.

I can find no references that Ubuntu Satanic Edition is either a parody or in response to the Christian edition. The author of the article on DesktopLinux.com<ref>[http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html]</ref> makes a comment that the theme is a response to the Christian edition, but that appears to be an assumption on his part, as I can find nothing from the authors on the Satanic version site that indicates that it is. --[[User:Brewer13210|Todd]] 10:15 March 21 2007 EDT

: I agree, describing the Satanic Edition as a parody is a point of view. Clearly the people behind it intend to serve a user base they think exists.

I wasn't sure what this statement meant: "The theme is an example, such as Ubuntu Christian Edition [3], of GPL licensed software which may be modified and re-released." So I rewrote what I thought it was meant to mean. If I was wrong, feel free to fix it.--[[User:All Fish Welcome|All Fish Welcome]] 17:47, 14 April 2007 (EDT)

==Who did what==

The article, like most in the trade press, gives far too much credit to Linus Torvalds and downplays the work of Richard Stallman inexcusably.

I took out this sentence, because it is incorrect:
*"It was started in 1991 as a university project by Finnish student [[Linus Torvalds]] as a replacement for the [[Minix]] operating system."

In fact, "Linux" (i.e., the GNU/Linux operating system, began ''nearly a decade'' before Torvalds got started:

*'''The GNU Project was launched in 1984 to develop a complete Unix-like operating system which is free software: the GNU system.''' [http://www.gnu.org/]

We should give credit where credit is due. Our web site runs on free software like Apache and GNU, thanks to RMS!! --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 11:56, 10 July 2007 (EDT)

: Actually, Linux is just the kernel of an operating system. Linus Torvalds ''is'' the one that started the Linux kernel. Richard Stallman (RMS) had nothing to do with that. What is incorrect, but unavoidable these days due to marketing types and ''the press'', is to call Linux an operating system. What makes an operating system is the kernel (boot code), drivers (may be in the kernel or modules) and additional software (the GNU project tools). Technically correct folks will call the blend of these parts GNU/Linux but the marketing and press types will continue to just use Linux. I believe we are not going to be able to change that trend here but we should be technically correct '''and''' give the correct people their due consideration. For Linux, the kernel, that would be Torvalds. --[[User:Eracc|Gene]] 15:04, 20 December 2007 (EST)

==Changes==

I made some small changes as I thought that the article was a little confusing to somebody with no experience of Linux. I'll continue to edit the remainder of the article if nobody has any objections. --[[User:davidklein|davidklein]] 14:45, 8 November 2007 (EDT)

*Thanks for your additions, David! --[[User:TK|şyŝoρ-₮K]][[User_Talk:TK|/Ṣρёаќǃ]] 15:08, 8 November 2007 (EST)

GNU/Linux

2007-11-24T04:40:07Z

Eracc:

[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like computer operating system. Strictly speaking, Linux is the component of the GNU/Linux operating system, the "[[kernel]]" that communicates with the hardware, upon which many other software components sit (such as the graphical user interface, file system and media players), but the term "Linux" is now commonly used to refer to the whole operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]]. Linux and the other components of GNU/Linux are built upon the foundations set up by the GNU project, started in 1984.

Linux distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as UNIX and [[Microsoft]] Windows in that the [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL''). In essence, this means that anybody can modify the code to their needs, and that the development of Linux happens in an open community, rather than in a closed commercial environment. Any improvements to the code will be contributed to the community, and any software that is based upon GPL components inherits the GPL licence.

Linux is also different to the closed source operating system vendors in that the software is distributed by many different companies. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse], [http://www.mandriva.com/ Mandriva] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu]. There are literally hundreds of Linux distributions as can be seen on [http://distrowatch.com DistroWatch.com].

Linux is a unix style operating system. In 2005 [http://www.forbes.com/ Forbes.com] posted [http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux_print.html an article] estimating Linux ran 60% of the world's top supercomputers at that time. In 2003 the [[IBM]] Linux Technology Center [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-rel/?ca=dgr-lnxw01LTP concluded] that Linux has enterprise class reliability. Linux servers can run without reboot for years as can usually be seen at the [http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/today/top.avg.html Longest uptimes] URL on [http://www.netcraft.com/ Netcraft.com]. Another location to check on Linux uptime statistics is the [http://counter.li.org/reports/uptimestats.php Machine uptimes] page at [http://counter.li.org/ Linux Counter]. It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrows from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely [http://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD], [http://www.openbsd.org OpenBSD], [http://www.netbsd.org NetBSD], and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. [http://www.netbsd.org NetBSD] claims to run on [http://www.netbsd.org/ports/ almost any hardware], [http://www.openbsd.org OpenBSD] has a goal to become the [http://www.openbsd.org/security.html most secure operating system] in the world, and [http://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD] has been powering computers for free since [http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/history.html before Linux became popular]. [http://www.opensolaris.org/ OpenSolaris] is a free version of [http://www.sun.com/ SUN Microsystems] proprietary Solaris OS.

Newer distributions of Linux continually raise the bar for usability and creativity. Archlinux, Gentoo, and Gobolinux are 3 interesting distributions.

Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, there is also a Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.<ref>[http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition]</ref>

Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME]] and [[KDE]] folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct<ref>[http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct Ubuntu Code of Conduct]</ref>, and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html</ref>
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu Christian Edition.]]

It is likely that Linux is becoming one of the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world. However this is difficult to quantify with hard evidence since most Linux distributions are given away for "free" and there are few sales records or marketing numbers to review. While personal computers in the United States and other "first world nations" still overwhelmingly use [[Microsoft]] operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.

As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Conservapedia web site was running the Linux operating system<ref>[http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com NetCraft site report for Conservapedia.com]</ref>

==Linux Pre-Installed==
From its inception, and with exception of the server market, it was difficult to find new computers available with Linux pre-installed. Users typically have to download the Linux distribution of their choice and install it on a computer themselves, slowing the increase in computers using a desktop version of Linux, as many home computer users find installing an operating system a difficult task. This situation changed in 2007 when [[Dell]] started selling laptop and desktop computers to the general public with Linux pre-installed<ref>[http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/linux?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz Dell and Linux]</ref>. As of October 2007, Dell was selling "home" computers available with [[Ubuntu]] Linux, and business workstations with [[Red Hat]] Linux.

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives]
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation]

[[Category:Information technology]]

GNU/Linux

2007-11-24T03:40:39Z

Eracc:

[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like computer operating system. Strictly speaking, Linux is the component of the GNU/Linux operating system, the "[[kernel]]" that communicates with the hardware, upon which many other software components sit (such as the graphical user interface, file system and media players), but the term "Linux" is now commonly used to refer to the whole operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]]. Linux and the other components of GNU/Linux are built upon the foundations set up by the GNU project, started in 1984.

Linux distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as UNIX and [[Microsoft]] Windows in that the [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL''). In essence, this means that anybody can modify the code to their needs, and that the development of Linux happens in an open community, rather than in a closed commercial environment. Any improvements to the code will be contributed to the community, and any software that is based upon GPL components inherits the GPL licence.

Linux is also different to the closed source operating system vendors in that the software is distributed by many different companies. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse], [http://www.mandriva.com/ Mandriva] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu]. There are literally hundreds of Linux distributions as can be seen on [http://distrowatch.com DistroWatch.com].

Linux is a unix style operating system. In 2005 [http://www.forbes.com/ Forbes.com] posted [http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux_print.html an article] estimating Linux ran 60% of the world's top supercomputers at that time. In 2003 the [[IBM]] Linux Technology Center [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-rel/?ca=dgr-lnxw01LTP concluded] that Linux has enterprise class reliability. Linux servers can run without reboot for years as can usually be seen at the [http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/today/top.avg.html Longest uptimes] URL on [http://www.netcraft.com/ Netcraft.com]. Another location to check on Linux uptime statistics is the [http://counter.li.org/reports/uptimestats.php Machine uptimes] page at [http://counter.li.org/ Linux Counter]. It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrows from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely [http://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD], openBSD, netBSD, and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. NetBSD is famous for running on almost any hardware{{fact}}, OpenBSD is perhaps the most secure operating system in the world{{fact}}, and freeBSD has been powering computers for free since before Linux became popular{{fact}}. Opensolaris is a free version of SUN microsystems proprietary Solaris OS.

Newer distributions of Linux continually raise the bar for usability and creativity. Archlinux, Gentoo, and Gobolinux are 3 interesting distributions.

Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, there is also a Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.<ref>[http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition]</ref>

Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME]] and [[KDE]] folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct<ref>[http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct Ubuntu Code of Conduct]</ref>, and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html</ref>
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu Christian Edition.]]
Linux has become one the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world{{fact}}. While personal computers still overwhelmingly use [[Microsoft]] operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.

As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Conservapedia web site was running the Linux operating system<ref>[http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com NetCraft site report for Conservapedia.com]</ref>

==Linux Pre-Installed==
From its inception, and with exception of the server market, it was difficult to find new computers available with Linux pre-installed. Users typically have to download the Linux distribution of their choice and install it on a computer themselves, slowing the increase in computers using a desktop version of Linux, as many home computer users find installing an operating system a difficult task. This situation changed in 2007 when [[Dell]] started selling laptop and desktop computers to the general public with Linux pre-installed<ref>[http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/linux?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz Dell and Linux]</ref>. As of October 2007, Dell was selling "home" computers available with [[Ubuntu]] Linux, and business workstations with [[Red Hat]] Linux.

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives]
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation]

[[Category:Information technology]]

User:Eracc

2007-11-24T03:20:44Z

Eracc:

== Who I am ==
I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband.
== A bit about me ==
I have been a Unix systems installer, administrator, troubleshooter, and reseller since early 1988. The company where I got my start went under in July 1989 due to poor management and I began my own business selling plus installing SCO Xenix based Point of Sale systems in August 1989. My company branched out into building personal computers and selling the accessories and peripherals for same soon after. We are still a small family owned business that focuses totally on commercial and non-commercial ''alternative operating systems'' (meaning non-[[Microsoft]]) and hardware for same as of today (November 2007). I hope to contribute information to Conservapedia from my long experience with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as [[Linux]] as well as other ''alternative operating systems'' like IBM OS/2 and Serenity Systems [http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation].
== Other ==
Unless this sentence is removed assume e-mail to me is not yet working and contact me via my [[User_talk:Eracc|talk]] page.

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-24T03:07:40Z

Eracc:

== Notes to myself ==
Hmm, I keep hitting Save page when I mean to hit Show preview. I need to get a handle on that.

== Messages from others and replies from me ==
{{welcome|sig=[[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)}}

: Thank you for the information. I will bookmark that guide. [[User:Eracc|Gene Alexander]] Fri Nov 23 20:56:37 CST 2007

== Your Confirmation Email==
Hi Gene, I had a similar problem with getting my email confirmed. Try going to 'My Preferences' at the top right of your screen, then make sure the fourth box under 'E-mail' is checked, which reads "''Enable e-mail from other users''". If this doesn't solve your issue, I'm afraid I can't be of much more help. [[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)

: Hi Greg, thank you for your input. Unfortunately that selection is ''grayed out'' for me. I did go ahead and check "''Send me copies of emails I send to other users''" but I am not sanguine that will help at this point. [[User:Eracc|Gene Alexander]] Fri Nov 23 20:54:45 CST 2007

General Public License

2007-11-24T03:05:04Z

Eracc:

Usually the name ''General Public License'' ([http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GPL]) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license may be found on the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] web site on the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/ Licenses] page. There are many other public licenses that are used with "''free''" and/or [[open source]] software. However, some version of the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GPL] is in use for a large percentage of [[open source]] software. For further understanding of the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GPL] see the References section below or follow one of the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GPL] URLs in this article.
==References==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License]
==See also==
[[Open Source]]

[[Free software]]

[[Linux]]

==External links==
[http://www.fsf.org/ The Free Software Foundation]

[[Category:Software]]

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-24T02:56:46Z

Eracc:

Hmm, I keep hitting Save page when I mean to hit Show preview. I need to get a handle on that.

{{welcome|sig=[[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)}}

: Thank you for the information. I will bookmark that guide. [[User:Eracc|Gene Alexander]] Fri Nov 23 20:56:37 CST 2007

== Your Confirmation Email==
Hi Gene, I had a similar problem with getting my email confirmed. Try going to 'My Preferences' at the top right of your screen, then make sure the fourth box under 'E-mail' is checked, which reads "''Enable e-mail from other users''". If this doesn't solve your issue, I'm afraid I can't be of much more help. [[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)

: Hi Greg, thank you for your input. Unfortunately that selection is ''grayed out'' for me. I did go ahead and check "''Send me copies of emails I send to other users''" but I am not sanguine that will help at this point. [[User:Eracc|Gene Alexander]] Fri Nov 23 20:54:45 CST 2007

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-24T02:55:12Z

Eracc: /* Your Confirmation Email */

Hmm, I keep hitting Save page when I mean to hit Show preview. I need to get a handle on that.

{{welcome|sig=[[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)}}

== Your Confirmation Email==
Hi Gene, I had a similar problem with getting my email confirmed. Try going to 'My Preferences' at the top right of your screen, then make sure the fourth box under 'E-mail' is checked, which reads "''Enable e-mail from other users''". If this doesn't solve your issue, I'm afraid I can't be of much more help. [[User:GregLarson | Greg]] 21:47, 23 November 2007 (EST)

: Hi Greg, thank you for your input. Unfortunately that selection is ''grayed out'' for me. I did go ahead and check "''Send me copies of emails I send to other users''" but I am not sanguine that will help at this point. [[User:Eracc|Gene Alexander]] Fri Nov 23 20:54:45 CST 2007

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-24T02:43:20Z

Eracc:

Hmm, I keep hitting Save page when I mean to hit Show preview. I need to get a handle on that.

General Public License

2007-11-24T02:42:15Z

Eracc:

Usually the name ''General Public License'' (GPL) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license may be found on the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] web site on the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/ Licenses] page. There are many other public licenses that are used with "''free''" and/or [[open source]] software. However, some version of the GNU GPL is in use for a large percentage of [[open source]] software.
==References==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License]
==See also==
[[Open Source]]

[[Free software]]

[[Linux]]

==External links==
[http://www.fsf.org/ The Free Software Foundation]

User:Eracc

2007-11-24T02:39:57Z

Eracc:

I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband.

I have been a Unix systems installer, administrator, troubleshooter, and reseller since early 1988. The company where I got my start went under in July 1989 due to poor management and I began my own business selling plus installing SCO Xenix based Point of Sale systems in August 1989. My company branched out into building personal computers and selling the accessories and peripherals for same soon after. We are still a small family owned business that focuses totally on commercial and non-commercial ''alternative operating systems'' (meaning non-[[Microsoft]]) and hardware for same as of today (November 2007). I hope to contribute information to Conservapedia from my long experience with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as [[Linux]] as well as other ''alternative operating systems'' like IBM OS/2 and Serenity Systems [http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation].

General Public License

2007-11-24T02:33:18Z

Eracc: /* See also */

Usually the name ''General Public License'' (GPL) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license may be found on the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] web site on the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/ Licenses] page. There are many other public licenses that are used with "''free''" and/or [[open source]] software. However, some version of the GNU GPL is in use for a large percentage of open source software.
==References==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License]
==See also==
[[Open Source]]

[[Free software]]

[[Linux]]

==External links==
[http://www.fsf.org/ The Free Software Foundation]

General Public License

2007-11-24T02:32:34Z

Eracc: /* See also */

Usually the name ''General Public License'' (GPL) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license may be found on the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] web site on the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/ Licenses] page. There are many other public licenses that are used with "''free''" and/or [[open source]] software. However, some version of the GNU GPL is in use for a large percentage of open source software.
==References==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License]
==See also==
[[Open Source]]

[[Free software]]

==External links==
[http://www.fsf.org/ The Free Software Foundation]

General Public License

2007-11-24T02:32:00Z

Eracc: New page: Usually the name ''General Public License'' (GPL) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license ...

Usually the name ''General Public License'' (GPL) refers to the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html General Public License]. The latest version of this license may be found on the [http://www.gnu.org/ GNU] web site on the [http://www.gnu.org/licenses/ Licenses] page. There are many other public licenses that are used with "''free''" and/or [[open source]] software. However, some version of the GNU GPL is in use for a large percentage of open source software.
==References==
[http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html GNU General Public License]
==See also==
[[Open Source]]
[[Free software]]
==External links==
[http://www.fsf.org/ The Free Software Foundation]

User:Eracc

2007-11-24T01:46:20Z

Eracc:

I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband.

I have been a Unix systems installer, administrator, troubleshooter, and reseller since early 1988. The company where I got my start went under in July 1989 due to poor management and I began my own business selling plus installing SCO Xenix based Point of Sale systems in August 1989. My company branched out into building personal computers and selling the accessories and peripherals for same soon after. We are still a small family owned business that focuses totally on commercial and non-commercial ''alternative operating systems'' (meaning non-Microsoft) and hardware for same as of today (November 2007). I hope to contribute information to Conservapedia from my long experience with Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as [[Linux]] as well as other ''alternative operating systems'' like IBM OS/2 and Serenity Systems [http://www.ecomstation.com/ eComStation].

User:Eracc

2007-11-23T04:05:52Z

Eracc:

I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]. I am also a US citizen and conservative Christian father and husband.

User:Eracc

2007-11-23T03:14:20Z

Eracc: New page: I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting].

I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting].

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-23T03:13:17Z

Eracc: Removing all content from page

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-23T03:00:10Z

Eracc:

I am Gene Alexander, owner of [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting].

GNU/Linux

2007-11-23T02:47:01Z

Eracc:

[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like computer operating system. Strictly speaking, Linux is the component of the GNU/Linux operating system, the "[[kernel]]" that communicates with the hardware, upon which many other software components sit (such as the graphical user interface, file system and media players), but the term "Linux" is now commonly used to refer to the whole operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]]. Linux and the other components of GNU/Linux are built upon the foundations set up by the GNU project, started in 1984.

Linux distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as UNIX and [[Microsoft]] Windows in that the [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL''). In essence, this means that anybody can modify the code to their needs, and that the development of Linux happens in an open community, rather than in a closed commercial environment. Any improvements to the code will be contributed to the community, and any software that is based upon GPL components inherits the GPL licence.

Linux is also different to the closed source operating system vendors in that the software is distributed by many different companies. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse], [http://www.mandriva.com/ Mandriva] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu]. There are literally hundreds of Linux distributions as can be seen on [http://distrowatch.com DistroWatch.com].

Linux is a unix style operating system. In 2005 [http://www.forbes.com/ Forbes.com] posted [http://www.forbes.com/2005/03/15/cz_dl_0315linux_print.html an article] estimating Linux ran 60% of the world's top supercomputers at that time. In 2003 the [[IBM]] Linux Technology Center [http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/l-rel/?ca=dgr-lnxw01LTP concluded] that Linux has enterprise class reliability. Linux servers can run without reboot for years as can usually be seen at the [http://uptime.netcraft.com/up/today/top.avg.html Longest uptimes] URL on [http://www.netcraft.com/ Netcraft.com]. Another location to check on Linux uptime statistics is the [http://counter.li.org/reports/uptimestats.php Machine uptimes] page at [http://counter.li.org/ Linux Counter]. It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrows from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely [http://www.freebsd.org/ FreeBSD], openBSD, netBSD, and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. NetBSD is famous for running on almost any hardware{{fact}}, OpenBSD is perhaps the most secure operating system in the world{{fact}}, and freeBSD has been powering computers for free since before Linux became popular{{fact}}. Opensolaris is a free version of SUN microsystems proprietary Solaris OS.

Newer distributions of Linux continually raise the bar for usability and creativity. Archlinux, Gentoo, and Gobolinux are 3 interesting distributions.

Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, there is also a Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.<ref>[http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition]</ref>

Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME]] and [[KDE]] folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct<ref>[http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct]</ref>, and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."<ref>http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2432715660.html</ref>
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu Christian Edition.]]
Linux has become one the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world{{fact}}. While personal computers still overwhelmingly use [[Microsoft]] operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.

As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Conservapedia web site was running the Linux operating system<ref>[http://toolbar.netcraft.com/site_report?url=http://www.conservapedia.com NetCraft site report for Conservapedia.com]</ref>

==Linux Pre-Installed==
From it's inception, and with exception of the server market, it was difficult to find new computers available with Linux pre-installed. Users typically have to download the Linux distribution of their choice and install it on a computer themselves, slowing the uptake of computers using a desktop version of Linux, as many home computer users find installing an operating system a difficult task. This situation changed in 2007 when [[Dell]] started selling laptop and desktop computers to the general public with Linux pre-installed<ref>[http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/alliances/en/linux?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz]</ref>. As of October 2007, Dell was selling "home" computers available with [[Ubuntu]] Linux, and business workstations with [[Red Hat]] Linux.

== References ==
<references />

==External links==
*[http://www.kernel.org/ The Linux Kernel Archives]
*[http://www.linux-foundation.org/en/Main_Page The Linux Foundation]

[[Category:Information technology]]

User talk:Eracc

2007-11-23T02:05:32Z

Eracc: New page: [http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]

[http://www.eracc.com ERA Computers & Consulting]