The Linux Girl

Why Windows 7 Will NOT Affect Linux.

2009-01-13T18:58:00.000-08:00

Windows 7 will "crush" Linux? Or wait, is it "kill" Linux? Not too long ago there was a HUGE mass of people bashing Windows Vista (I think I was one of the only few that supported it, it was WAY over-criticized and still is). I'm sure people haven't forgotten this, but what was really the issue? Yeah, it was almost entirely compatibility issues. Windows 7 does not resolve these problems. Sure it's backwards compatible with Vista, it essentially IS Vista with a face lift. But I am, of course, not attempting ot say anything bad about Windows; I think it is a fantastic OS for any user for nearly any purpose.

But the point is: Linux will not fall because of this new Windows version. Linux is CERTAINLY not the most user-friendly OS out there, but it is getting better. It is and will continue to be fueled by its community, which causes it to be a sort of collective democracy of the users' visions. The new Windows version does not replace this. Though the GUI is definitely becoming more appealing to the average user, it does not overwrite what Linux has accomplished. Linux is still the most versatile operating system out there, allowing its users to optimize it as much as they need to for their specific purpose. As all operating systems have done, they will learn from their competition and take/modify ideas from them.

Ron Barrett said in his article "Why Windows 7 will crush Linux,"

THEREFORE, to get those out of the way let’s just spell them out. Windows 7 installs easier, has simpler configuration of user settings, greater availability of software, support (you could argue that all support is awful, which is probably true) Windows support is easier to get when you need help. Gaming, MP3’s,… I could go on and on.

I have no arguments, and I suppose I agree with just about everything on there (but MP3's as an example, come on). The point against this is that everything explained there is for the more average of users. The "installs easier" comment could be very wrong, depending on how you're trying to install. I've made a recent post on WUBI which is a simple button click to install an Ubuntu OS and have it set up for dual booting with Windows. Users' settings might be "simpler" but the location of Windows settings get moved around and renamed so often that the control panel now seems so very much more confusing than it did 10 years ago. They attempt to bundle everything up into huge clusters of information semi-related to eachother.

Want to change your IP? Go to your network settings applet and avoid everything that looks like you might need to click, and instead, click the forward button three times until you find a picture of a house. Click the house and it will zoom in. Zoom in a little more until you can see the Windows PC sitting on a desk. Now push it to the side a little bit and a router will dangle off the desk. Click it.

Ok, that was an over-exaggeration, and it's a lot more simple than that once you notice where they've hid it since XP. Honestly, if it wasn't for Windows practically having a monopoly on most software, I would leave it permanently for Linux. Of course this is just my preference and I'm not saying Windows is -BAD- in any way. I know I'm not the only person that feels this way, and that's not likesly to change anytime soon.

I didn't go too in-depth anywhere. In fact, I'd say I stayed incredibly broad. Linux isn't going anywhere. It will keep growing (although slowly) for many years to come.

(As a small sidenote of fun things Linux can do and Windows can't: My car stereo is a Linux box hiding under a seat.)

And I'm sure by now everyone has seen the Macbook Wheel parody. It has been a while since I laughed so hard. (click here if you haven't)

Multiple computers, one keyboard? : Synergy

2009-01-12T14:11:00.000-08:00

Synergy has been around a while and is a very nice software keyboard mouse switch. It can be set up between any computers on a local network, and I believe it works on any operating system, including Mac OSX and Linux. I Used this for quite some time to control both my dual-monitored Windows XP/Vista and my Ubuntu server. It is extremely smooth and lag-free, causing all of your machines to act as a single unit.

Usage:
If you have ever used a multi-monitor setup, you will understand how to operate this software "km switch." Properties are set so your computer knows where each monitor is, and to use your keyboard/mouse inputs on a certain computer, all you do is move your mouse cursor to that screen. That's about as simple as it gets. Of course some users will be bothered by their mouse occasionally moving past an edge of their screen they're aiming for and would want this to be different. Well, you can change the settings so it's a key combination to change which screen you're using also.

Installation and Setup:
Synergy uses a standard client/server networking setup. One machine will be installed with the server software, and all the settings and preferences for all of the computers will be made there. The location of each computer's monitor needs to be specified by designating which part of a screen "touches" the next. For instance, ScreenA is left of ScreenB: Since this is the case you will need to make a property in the configuration utility that either says ScreenA is left of ScreenB, or ScreenB is right of ScreenA. However, it could be much more complicated than this -- as much as you want or need it to be. Another example is how I had mine set up. ComputerA had two monitors, both same size and resolution, and ComputerB had one monitor that was above ComputerA's right monitor. So to set this up, I made a property that said ComputerB is above 50-100% of ComputerA. This means that of my total 2048 pixel width between both of ComputerA's monitors, it will only allow my mouse to switch to ComputerB by going up between pixel 1025 and 2048, which is the right monitor.

Now that the server is set up and working, any other computer you want to share this keyboard and mouse needs to have the client software isntalled. Upon starting up the client, you should be asked to input the server's IP address or hostname. Once this is entered, just give it a moment to establish a connection with the server and you're good to go.

Of course this is just a brief outline and summary of what the program is and does. To get more information or to download this utility, go here.

Windows Sysinternals: Autoruns and Process Explorer

2009-01-11T12:07:00.000-08:00

Autoruns and Process Explorer. These are two very strong programs that have been around, hiding for quite some time. While they can serve many useful purposes, I have been using them for a year or two to manually remove malware/spyware infections on Windows machines.

Autoruns:
Autoruns is essentially a very advanced version of msconfig which many users use to change their startup settings. It lists all startup programs, as well as explorer extensions, toolbars, Winlogon notifications, services, broser helper objects and much more. Next to everything listed is its location in the Windows registry, which can be double clicked to open regedit to that location.
It also provides very useful features such as verifying and hiding signed Microsoft entries, leaving you with only a list of possibly unwanted objects. This is a fantastic way to pinpoint any malware or spyware that may be hiding from you.

Process Explorer:
While Autoruns is comparable to an over-achieving msconfig, Process Explorer is basically an overflowing keg of your typical task manager. This program will show you all your running executable files, like taskmanager does, and includes every DLL and subprogram each is using. It allows you to pause running processes which is another very useful tool for stopping malicious software. Hunt down the specific DLLs that you've found are running from Autoruns, pause the EXE that is running them, and delete all traces of that software. When you delete the DLL there will no longer be a trail of hiding copymachines spewing out malware after malware. Of course there are many other uses for this program, as it also shows memory addresses and possible faults, and a very detailed system monitor.

These programs are more than just unitasking tools. They are great for just learning how Windows run programs, and I suggest downloading them and playing with them a bit to see what all is possible.

You can find out more information and download them here: Autoruns | Process Explorer

Thinking of trying Linux? Use Wubi.

2009-01-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

If you're a long time Windows user looking to try out Linux, browsing through all the many linux distros and going through the somewhat more difficult installation/setup process could turn you off fairly quickly. Fortunately, for those of us looking for a much more simpler alternative to all of this work, there is Wubi. This is essentially a 1 click installer for the latest Ubuntu version. You won't need to burn a Linux disc, deal with partions, or suffer possible issues making it dual boot properly with Windows. It will install Ubuntu within your Windows NTFS filesystem just like any other software and set up its boot information so you can select which to start up when you turn on your computer.

Wubi is perfect for anyone just thinking about trying Linux. If you decide it's not for you, it uninstalls as simple as any other installed program.

Download Wubi or find out more information Here.

Editing Windows Registry Through Linux

2009-01-09T21:47:00.000-08:00

There are many Windows/Linux dual booters out there that manage to somehow mess up the registry on their Windows partition (usually the case causing them to not be able to boot.) When this happens most users do not know where to turn other than to a Windows disc. BUT, there is a solution.

Windows stores registry files in the "C:\Windows\System32\config" directory. While there do not seem to be any Linux utilities to open/edit these hives, there is still a solution. Of course -- using 3rd party Windows registry viewers/editors through WINE. There are many 3rd party programs that work similar to regedit, usually only allowing you to view registry hives and export them to REGEDIT4 format (.reg files used to modify the registry.) An example of one of these would be Regworks. These programs can be used very easily to do many tasks.

For an example, you could use these programs to extract registry trees related to certain Windows programs that do not work quite correctly through WINE. For instance, Adobe Photoshop. At the moment WINE does not fully install this program, so in order to get it to work, you just need to export the HKLM\Software\Adobe tree into a .reg file and run it through WINE's regedit. As compared to guides out there about how to install Adobe Photoshop, this keeps you from needing to log onto Windows and extract it, then switch back to run. And no one's perfect. It's easy to mess that up or forget something and need to make multiple annoying trips back and forth.

There are many reasons why someone could need to edit their Windows registry from a Linux machine, and I hope this little trick will help someone out there solve a problem.

iPad vs Kindle

Introdruction

2009-01-09T21:06:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,
This is my first time attempting a blog, and I figure I should start off by telling a bit about myself. My name is Danica and I have recently graduated from Washburn University in Kansas. I'm quite a computer geek and have recently decided to hop out on the internet and share some random information and tricks I've found or noticed someone could use. So who knows what all will turn out in this blog at the moment. I'll just start posting whatever I feel I need to, almost all of it will probably computer related.

So I just wanted to start out by saying hi. Hi Guys. :)