Choosing Linux Distro(Basic)

This is a basic article for those who want to go LINUX way. A Linux distribution is also called GNU/Linux distribution. Is a member of the family of Unix-like software distributions built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions consist of a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications.There are currently over three hundred Linux distributions. Most of those are in active development, constantly being revised and improved.

Because most of the kernel and supporting packages are some combination of free software and open source, Linux distributions have taken a wide variety of forms from fully featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments. Aside from certain custom software a distribution simply refers to a particular assortment of applications installed on top of a set of libraries married with a version of the kernel, such that its "out-of-the-box" capabilities meets most of the needs of its particular end-user base.One can distinguish between commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora as REDHAT, OpenSUSE asNovell , Ubuntu byCanonical Ltd., and Mandriva Linux.


Some known distributers are:

1. CentOS-A distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers.
2. Debian-A non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles.
3. Fedora-Which is a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat,and widely used in academy side.
   
4. Gentoo-A distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code.
5. Knoppix-The first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk. Derived from Debian.
6. Linux Mint-A popular distribution based on and compatible with Ubunt,its also lightweight version.
7. Mandriva-A Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil for its native support and wide spread user community.
8. OpenGEU-Derived from Ubuntu: The project's goal is to combine the power of GNOME desktop with the eye-candy of Enlightenment 17.
9. OpenSUSE-Originally derived from Slackware, sponsored by the company Novell .And now it has grown to a great extent.
   
10. Pardus-Developed in Turkey, as a product of the Pardus Project. It was named after the Anatolian Leopard.
11. PCLinuxOS-A derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a popular, community-spawned desktop distribution.
12. Red Hat Enterprise Linux-Which is a derivative of Fedora maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat.
13. Slackware-One of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993.This was created by the famous Patrick Volkerding
    
14. Ubuntu-A popular desktop distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical and its predicted that it will be at the top of linux distributors in next few years.
    
15. Kubuntu-The KDE version of Ubuntu.

AT&T stands hard on antipiracy !!!

Things are changing fast in this digital world for good, The latest is here AT&T, one of the nation's largest Internet service providers, confirmed on Tuesday the company is working with the recording industry to combat illegal file sharing.
At a digital music conference in Nashville, Jim Cicconi, a senior executive for AT&T told the audience that the ISP has begun issuing takedown notices to people accused of pirating music by the Recording Industry Association of America, according to one music industry insider who was present.

In December, the RIAA, the lobbying group of the four largest recording companies, announced the group would no longer pursue an antipiracy strategy that focused on but rather would seek the help of broadband providers to stem the flow of pirated content. The RIAA said an undisclosed number of ISPs had agreed to cooperate but declined to name them. In January, CNET News reported that AT&T and Comcast were among the group.

Representatives of the RIAA and AT&T could not be reached late Tuesday evening for comment.

Cicconi told attendees of the Leadership Music Digital Summit that the notices are part of a "trial." AT&T wants to test customer reaction, he said. Whether AT&T included any warnings that repeat offenders would see their service suspended or terminated is still unclear. Music industry sources said AT&T told managers at the top labels the trial letter would include strong language about the consequences of illegal conduct, but would stop short of mentioning service interruptions.

This is important because the RIAA has said that repeat offenders faced the possibility of losing service at least temporarily--as part of the music industry's "graduated response" plan.

AT&T's test is likely the first stage in what promises to be a long and drawn out process of turning ISPs into copyright enforcers.

ISPs have traditionally tried to stay out of the fray between the big entertainment companies and those who download music illegally. They remain squeamish about the possibility of alienating customers, according to music industry sources. The ISPs also don't like plans that call for them to cut off access and chase away a source of income.

But it may atleast take another two years or more for talks to begin with ISP in ASIA which is said to be the largest consumer of piracy.

Source CNET.COM

AMD AM3 Unleashed

Its a great news for every AMD fan boys out there, Yes the AM3 socket for the latest and future AMD processor has been released and what else it supports DDR3 memory. ASUS and Gigabyte are the first to release this sockets with respective 790FX and 790GX chipset to blast the DRAGON platform of AMD. Ok whats about all this buzz actualy at pressent Phenom II processors are similar to AM2 AM2+ chips, expect for chip memory controller(CMC). Where the current phenom has to run at 1.8ghz but AM3 phenoms and future processors will run at 2.0ghz. Also the including of support for DDR3 makes it more special where it will clock 1333 as its stock minimum. Then have to mention about HT where it has leaped from 1.8Ghz to 2.0Ghz. Also models has been released which has 4MB or 6MB L3 cache which will add uo to the previous L1 and L2 to provide better performance.

Then the AM3 processors will be built at 45nm die which will minimize the power required and also heat generated by this silicon ,Early tests have also revealed that when at idle the phenoms are capable to run as minimum as less than 1000Mhz which is a very good improvement, but as usual all this buzz around socket will eventual cool down and the credit will be taken by Processors which use the technology in the new socket.

Conclusion: If you are looking for future proof then this is the technology you have to relay on from AMD, At present DDR3 memory are priced high and may not be affordable to all so go for an DDR2 for time being. The Phenom 940 are top end for now and should be choosen only if you like to overclock or else go for an 920 which is cheaper yet holds the punch. AM3 has initialy proved to be very success but time will tell us how it does for the rest of its age.

Create Autorun.inf File :

Autorun.inf file is commonly used in Pendrive and CD/DVD-ROM to customize them according to our requirement. This tool is very flexiable and helps us to automate certain tasks.This file is simple text file which can be edited with any basic text editors.

As in any other program or file Autorun file also has the header which starts with [Autorun] below this we can add different options as required the most commonly used options are...

1) Change Icon :
To change icon its piety simple eg:Icon=Autorun\Ryu.ico now what it does is sets Ryu.ico which is inside the folder Autorun as the drive icon, We can also specify icons which are as resource in .exe file for eg:Icon=Autorun\Ryu.exe,0 or icon=\Autorun\fileabcd.dll,5

2) Autoplay Option :
To open an program we use OPEN option eg:Open=RunRyu.exe now what it does is that opens up the Ryurun.exe file automatically or when double clicked, we also use action=Runs the program now by doing this we have added the text to XP's autoplay dialog box.(May not work for pendrive so use shell option shown below.)
Now for the advanced customization have you ever thought how cool it would be if we can add some thing to Context Menu of our drive so that its easy to run an task or program just by clicking them from outside the drive without even entering your drive.

3) Context Menu :
For that we will use shell option Eg:shell\Run=Run program 1 this will display Run program 1 on context menu what we have done is called shell and assigned a name(Run)and gave an display name(Run program 1), but windows will not know what to do when pressed so we will use command attribute Eg:shell\Run\command=P1.exe this will run the P1.exe program when clicked,note that Run which is the name we created remains unchanged.

4) Automation :
The shell option is very powerful we can use it to run any file as required eg:shellexecute=http://www.Ryusystems.com will open the site in default browser. another eg: shell\readme = Read Me
shell\readme\command = notepad readme.txt.

Now i think its time for you to try them on your own, and to mention we have covered only basic concepts but you can use them to perform extreme tasks.