The History of Computer Programming. Image shared by Ellie Koning
Tag Archives: linux
22 Years of Linux. 22 Years of Freedom
This week, one of the most recognisable and powerful forces in open-source software (Ubuntu) turned 9-years-old. Ubuntu is a computer operating system that is based on Linux, the mecca of open-source computing. Well, this year we celebrate the 22 Years since the inception of Linux. A beginning that stood for freedom, openness and community. The Linux community is by far, in my opinion, the most improved and helpful computer community there is out there- and this all began with one email from a curious Linus Torvalds.
Here’s an infographic from Linux Foundation, celebrating 20-years of Linux. Take a look at this “Then and Now”infographic representing how far we’ve come:
Happy Birthday Ubuntu!
It was on this very day back in 2004 that Mark Shuttleworth took to the Ubuntu mailing list to announce the inaugural release of Ubuntu 4.10 – codenamed the ‘Warty Warthog’ due to its rough edges.
Nine years, and some nineteen releases on, the Ubuntu desktop we find ourselves sat in front of today bears little resemblance to that of its younger self. The distro went, virtually overnight, from a Debian-based curiosity – “A space tourist making a Linux distro?!” – to becoming one of the most recognisable and powerful forces in open-source software.
– OMG Ubuntu
Tinkering: the diary entry of an obsessed Linux user.
Not too long ago, tinkering was reserved for those geeks and nerds that spent hours and hours just typing away at their keyboards trying to change this and that because of this and that only to change that once again (two days later)because of this.
Let me first point out that, I am not ‘that guy’. In fact, ‘that guy’ would probably sneer at the mere utterance of our so-called resemblance. What I am, however, is a liker-of-things. Cool things, things that are different and have a revolutionary quality to them- things that actually matter.
With that being said, a year or so ago I purchased a refurbished netbook that came with no operating system- I then installed Ubuntu Linux onto it. And thus spawned the beginning of a lengthy love/hate relationship between myself and the OS. The great thing about Linux is the fact that it is open-source meaning that there are now millions (perhaps hundreds of thousands) of nerds that are working towards making this OS better and better. They create tools regularly in order to make their lives simpler, better and perhaps easier. As a result of the wonderful community of Linux users that already exists, these iterations can also be used to make every other user’s experience of Linux THAT much more pleasant. This is the intrinsic beauty of the Linux operating system.
With this beauty, however, comes a bit of dedication that is required from the user.
Linux systems vary from Windows and Mac systems in that the software that Linux uses is not coming from a handful of companies but from a myriad of avid hackers and engineers. This openness, does bring with it the infinite potential for errors, bugs and calibration/compatibility issues. At this point the user could either turn to the Linux community for advice or choose to fix the issue himself through a series of tinkering sessions aimed at eventually discovering the solution for himself. In my experience, I’ve realised that both options go hand-in-hand. When I first started using the OS, I was always trying to find solace and support through seeking for help in the various forums available to a Linux user (all of which are great). As time went by, I had probably visited the Ubuntu forum about 10 000 times and each time I’d come out with a solution. All of this was essentially educational as my skills were continuously enhanced with every problem I faced. Now I find myself trying out a bunch of solutions from my bag of acquired tricks when faced with an issue. And more often then not, I will have solved it myself.
Looking forward about a year later and I now find myself tinkering endlessly at my machine. Not because solutions are needed but because with Linux, change is imminent. There is always some new alternative version of a particular type of software being released to the community. And that entices a user to want to use it. And most of the time, the modifications are not particularly essential. They could range from simply installing a new conky to your desktop to trying to run 3-different OSs on one machine. Why do these things?
Because they’re cool and most importantly, because we Can.
Workspaces Courtesy of Google+ user Michael Murphy
Follow @ZooLooConcepts on Twitter.
Linux Job Report- the Pressing need for Linux talent (2013)
The following report was found at the Linux Foundation to convey the pressing need for Linux talent out there. The survey included responses from more than “850 hiring managers at corporations, small and medium businesses (SMBs), government organizations, and staffing agencies across the globe – as well as responses from more than 2,600 Linux professionals worldwide”. Read the full report at the Linux Foundation
Maybe this will get you a bit more interested in becoming a Linux Pro?
The Crowdfunded Dream: Ubuntu Edge
Ubuntu’s homepage 5-days ago
Every army needs that seemingly hot headed “cowboy” who is not deterred by danger, risk and competition. He is the soldier you send to the top of the mountain so as to check if the coast is clear before you decide to engage in battle. He is the visionary. The brave one. The revolutionary soldier.
After a whole week of speculation about the sudden 4-day countdown found on the Ubuntu website on Thursday we were finally appeased as to what this “line where two surfaces meet” thing was all about.
The Ubuntu Edge project.
This project is an Indiegogo crowdfunded smartphone prototype that runs on the Ubuntu mobile OS (Linux based operating system). An OS that we were introduced to at the beginning of the year, the most evolutionary aspect about this OS was that you could shift into the desktop OS as soon as you attached the device to a monitor. Right afterwards (a month later), they announced the tablet version of essentially the same OS except it was designed specifically for tablets. Although Canonical had a great idea in mind, the OS was still a bit rough around the edges. Luckily, Hope was restored to Canonical when they announced that Ubuntu Touch would be stable by the end of May.
They then promised to ship some hardware by October. Yesterday, we saw the fruits (or seeds?) of that promise take form.
Take Revolutionary Form, at that.
According to the Indiegogo page, the device is said to pack:
- The Fastest multi-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC when docked
- 4.5in 1,280 x 720 HD sapphire crystal display
- 8mp low-light rear camera, 2mp front camera
- Dual-LTE, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4, NFC
- GPS, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, compass, barometer
- Stereo speakers with HD audio, dual-mic recording, Active Noise Cancellation
- MHL connector, 3.5mm jack
- Silicon-anode Li-Ion battery
- 64 x 9 x 124mm
Dual boot Ubuntu and Android
The big feature that I actually believe qualifies this device as a revolutionary stepping stone, is the new dual-booting ability of the device. The smartphone (yes, let’s not forget that this is merely a phone) can dual-boot to the Ubuntu Touch OS and/or the popular Android OS. And let’s not forget that once you plug in that monitor- that means you have a full on dual-bootable OpenSource Linux PC! With the engine specs listed above- it would be a pretty powerful PC too.
I think that Canonical needs to be given praise not just for becoming our fire-runner but also for their impeccable commitment and work ethic. I mean how efficient are these guys???
In 7-months they gave us: a new mobile operating system highly distinguished from those in its class; they then furthered this innovation by leaping this OS to the tablet market and then brought a revolutionary piece of hardware which could maybe even replace the Laptop?
Follow us @ZooLooConcepts
Linux: an ode to my Love
kNerdArt tribute to Linux
Yes, the above piece of kNerdArt may seem a bit silly but really Linux was exactly that for my old netbook and I- a savior. Now, i’m not about to give you another overly-geeky account about the benefits of using Linux as opposed to that old WINhag. No, this is merely a layman’s account of a personal experience with the operating system.
I had been using Windows all my life till I decided to upgrade from my ancient laptop to a “cleaner” less-ancient netbook. I bought it refurbished from bid or buy for an extremely convenient price. Part of the reason why it was such a bargain was because it didn’t have an operating system installed… yet.
And I thought: I’m broke, I need to fire-up this computer and I’ve always wanted to try this Linux thingy. Long story short:
The installation was a Dream!
Everything was easy, personalizable and very quick.
Linux opened up a whole new world to me. A world that was not bound by great programs that you end up relying on only to find that the trial is almost over and you now have to buy the full-version (“I thought this was the full-version!!”). Linux/open-source software isn’t all free (price) but the beauty about the open-source nature of the software projects is that any great programmer can offer a cost-free, perhaps, more improved alternative of the very same software.
Best part is, unlike Windows, upon starting-up Linux for the very first time- all my needs were taken care of. The OS was already bundled with the necessary software (eg: the office suite LibreOffice).
As for the drivers…
Linux Mint (like most of the other distributions) has a built-in driver set or rather the ability to automatically download and install the required drivers (ie: for your webcam, Ethernet, printer, scanner, Wi-Fi etc.).
Image Courtesy of satyriko.deviantart.com
The Software Center.
Here, I’m able to download as many apps as I’d like and the process seems to require much much less! Every installation in the center is merely a click away!
Image Courtesy of news.softpedia.com
The Minimum requirements.
Windows 7 requires a minimum of 1000 Mhz processor with 1GB of RAM, while Linux Mint 15 requires a minimum of 700 Mhz processor with 512MB RAM. So on my little 10″ netbook, this made the World of sense. Also, if your’e planning on reviving an old computer… opt for one of the Linux Distros (distributions)- you won’t regret it.
No Viruses Baby!
“Viruses – Viruses and other malware continue to be a constant headache for windows users. Combating viruses is not only time consuming, but also expensive when we talk about using Windows in a large scale production environment. Moreover, there is always a need to purchase expensive antivirus software with yearly subscriptions, punching additional holes in your pocket.
Linux on the other hand has significantly less number of viruses, so you are considerable less likely to get infected.
In fact, I am yet to hear this from a friend or a fellow systems administrator, that they are using Linux, and that it has been infected! am sure most administrators or users must have had a similar experience.” – abstract from the Techluminati article Linux vs Windows.
Protection Courtesy of bablotech.com
After almost 2-years using this operating system, I can be sure to say that I will not be leaving it anytime soon. It just doesn’t make sense.
Linus Torvalds created a system that is built for ease, convenience, speed and freedom- I’m for ALL of that and MORE!
Come and join our Open Life– Where we are governed by one another as friends, not Big Brother
Follow us @ZooLooConcepts
Le Geek Bijoux
Jewellery has, for many years, been a way for a culture to express itself. It was a way that you could make your riches apparent, express your sense for the exquisite or even just to symbolize a significant period in your life. But one of the most common and perhaps most “primitive” of reasons for wearing jewellery is to convey one’s allegiance to… Anything.
From an allegiance to a certain tribe to an allegiance to a set of ideals and schools of thought. Catholic-Christians wear Rosaries; certain Zulu tribes wear animal skin on their wrists as “bangles” after certain rituals and South Ndebele married women wear neck rings as a sign of wealth and status
Courtesy of Wikipedia
So what do Geeks wear to symbolize their fraternal bond to Tech?
Fortunately, I came across a website that actually caters to our rapidly growing “revolutionary cult”. Boutique Academia offers a large range of products…
From “Print Hello.World” wrists bands
- To Ubuntu chains!
Boutique Academia is the perfect website for Geek Paraphernalia. Scoping through the website, I became heavily enthralled by the wonderful array of other Geek goodies!!!
Circuit Board Cuff-links?
Now you can never forget the real value of Pi…. to like 7-decimals
After about an hour of ogling at the boutique, I found myself placing an order for the Ubuntu chain… sigh.
Follow us @ZooLooConcepts
Raspberry Pi- A Step towards the Future.
Relevant Comparison?
(Image courtesy of Tested.com)
The Raspberry Pi came to my attention earlier this year, so I guess I’m a bit of a late bloomer in this regard.
I was drawn by the fact that the project was started with such a genuinely relevant aspiration: programming the future. The project was initially launched so as to re-instill a hunger and excitement, within school children, to explore basic computer sciences.
For those who aren’t too familiar with this device, it’s basically a credit card sized single-board computer developed in the UK. For more info, click here.
Now, that’s a pretty tiny computer… Which means that it can probably be attached to thousands of other bigger (electronic) things.
And that’s where I believe the Raspberry Pi’s true gem is-
The potential for creation.
By allowing for such a device to be sold to the public and at such an affordable price (R449.00); the gap between ideation and creation is shortened dramatically!
All of this, with a single-board Linux computer costing less than $35!!!
(And some minor accessories)
A great thing is that the open source nature of the project allows for users to pick up where they think others left off and share that to the community. Thus snowballing into this massive cultural-cycle of innovative iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration and re-iteration. The fact that this single-board computer is designed to run on Linux further increases the potential for this collaborative community of hackers which will lead us to the future.
Let us think back to the days of the Homebrew Computer Club. This was, in today’s terms, the physical 4chan for electronic enthusiasts. Geeks used to meet up to trade parts, circuits and information regarding the DIY construction of various computing devices. The club was originally spawned from a group of Altair 8800 enthusiasts who wanted to see what they could do with the machine. Through its newsletter, the computer club initiated the idea of the Personal Computer and helped members build original kit computers. And from this group,23 computer companies were built- including Apple Computer.
This group of Altair 8800 Geeks managed to change the course of history by creating the technological culture of today’s Silicon Valley. And The Valley is consequently at the heart of our current Information Technology renaissance.
I believe that the current excitement over the inception of the Raspberry Pi coupled with enough enthusiasm and exploration could fast track our generation into the next technological revolution.
This device is pivotal
Follow us @ZooLooConcepts
Build Your Own 6 watts Home Server using a Raspberry Pi
We were actually considering having a whole page on the Blog dedicated to the developments of the Raspberry Pi Team and its ever expansive community.
What do you guys think?
In the picture besides you see my new home server built around a raspberry pi. The parts in detail:
- raspberry pi model b Rev.2 inside a transparent casing
- D-Link DUB-H7 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub (confirmed working with the raspberry pi)
- 2.5 inch 500 GB usb harddisk from toshiba (an older one I had)
- Hauppauge Nova-T Stick for DVB-T (confirmed working with the raspberry pi IF you have a powered usb hub!)
The pi is connected to a fritzbox 7270 via ethernet and is running raspian (Debian Wheezy). The CPU is overclocked a little at 800 MHz.
Currently this small computer is running the following services for me:
- full webserver consisting of nginx, php and mysql (follow standard tutorials for debian)
- web rss reader using tiny rss 1.7.4
- streaming tv from the tv stick to all computers in the network using vdr and streamdev-plugin
- streaming requested music via the upnp…
View original post 607 more words
Project ZooLoo 