generate barcode in asp.net c# Compatible with Older Hardware in Font

Maker Code-39 in Font Compatible with Older Hardware

Another benefit of Linux is that it works very well on older hardware and doesn t require a cutting-edge PC system. The latest version of Windows XP requires high-powered hardware,

CHAPTER 1 WELCOME!

to the extent that upgrading to that operating system usually means buying a new PC, even if your old one still works fine! In contrast, Linux works on computers dating back as far as the early 1990s. This book was largely written on a five-year-old Pentium II 450 MHz notebook running Ubuntu. Although it would be an exaggeration to claim that the computer is lightning-fast, there s little waiting around for programs to start. On the same machine, Windows 2000 (which came installed on the computer) grinds and churns, and using it can be a frustrating experience. Linux encourages an attitude of both recycling and making the most of what you have, rather than constantly upgrading and buying new hardware. You can pull out that old PC and bring it back to life by installing Linux. You might even be able to give it away to a family member or friend who does not have a PC. Perhaps it s time for grandma to get online, or perhaps you can give the kids their own PC so they will stop using yours. Alternatively, you might consider turning old hardware into a server. Linux is capable of just about any task. As well as running desktop computers, it also runs around 60% of the computers that make the Internet work. Linux is extremely flexible. You could turn an old PC into a web server, e-mail server, or firewall that you can attach to a broadband Internet connection. If you were to do this with Microsoft software, it would cost hundreds of dollars, not to mention requiring an advanced computer. It s free with Linux.

So we ve established that Linux is powerful, secure, and flexible. But I ve saved the best for last. Linux is more than a computer operating system. It s an entire community of users spread across the globe. When you start to use Linux, you become part of this community (whether you like it or not!). One of the benefits of membership is that you re never far from finding a solution to a problem. The community likes to congregate online around forums and newsgroups, which you can join in order to find help. Your placement in the ranks of the community is newbie. This is a popular way of describing someone who is new to Linux. Although this sounds derisory, it will actually help when you talk to others. Advertising your newbie status will encourage people to take the time to help you. After all, they were newbies once upon a time! There s another reason not to be disheartened by your newbie tag: you ll outgrow it very quickly. By the time you reach the end of this book, you ll have advanced to the other end of the spectrum guru. You ll be one of those giving out the advice to those poor, clueless newbies, and you ll be 100% confident in your skills.

Tip One of the best ways to learn about Linux is under the auspices of a knowledgeable friend. It s very beneficial to have your own guru to help you along when you get stuck someone who is just an e-mail message or phone call away. If you have a friend who uses Linux, consider taking him or her out for a drink and getting more friendly!

CHAPTER 1 WELCOME!

But being part of a community is not just about getting free technical support. It s about sharing knowledge. Linux is as much about a political ideal as it is about software. It was created to be shared among those who want to use it. There are no restrictions, apart from one: any changes you make must also be made available to others. The spirit of sharing and collaboration has been there since day one. One of the first things Linus Torvalds did when he produced an early version of Linux was to ask for help from others. And he got it. Complete strangers e-mailed him and said they would contribute their time, skills, and effort to help his project. This has been the way Linux has been developed ever since. Hundreds of people around the world contribute their own small pieces, rather than there being one overall company in charge. And the same concept applies to knowledge of Linux. When you learn something, don t be afraid to share this knowledge with others. Giving something back is a very important part of the way of Linux. To understand why Linux is shared, you need to understand its history, as well as the history of what came before it. This is the topic of 2.

Summary

This chapter provided an introduction to Linux. It explained what Linux can be used for and also its many advantages when compared to Microsoft Windows. It also introduced the community surrounding Linux, which adds to its benefits. You should be starting to realize what makes millions of people around the world use Linux as the operating system of choice. The next chapter covers the history of Linux. It also discusses another curious aspect: the political scene that drives the operating system forward.