Downloading Software for Linux

November 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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If you’re looking for more software options for Linux, there are ways you can download some without needing to purchase expensive software packages. A lot of people don’t think of that because they don’t use Linux – or don’t use it often – so the idea that there are plenty of programs to use with Linux isn’t something that people take advantage of as much as they should. They use Windows, which is a much more common operating system. While the majority of people think that it’s more user-friendly than Linux, there are good reasons to use other options, too.

Linux can do things that Windows can’t, and that means it’s often used to create other kinds of programs or perform tasks that are necessary and that can’t be done with other operating systems. People who are more ‘techy’ use it to handle things they want to do – and things that they want to have more control over. Downloading software for Linux doesn’t have to be difficult, as long as you know what you’re looking for. If you’re new to Linux, it’s worth spending some time figuring it out and learning about it. If you do that, you’ll be much more likely to use Linux properly and get the most benefit from it.

Don’t assume you can or can’t do a specific thing with Linux, or with software that you get for it. Make sure you research your options, so you know what you’re getting – and that should be true whether you pay for the software or get it for free. Talking to others who use Linux is also a good idea. That way you’ll have a better understanding of all you can do with the operating system and the software that you download and use with it.

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The Future of the Internet Without web Browsers

September 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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It goes without saying that the world of computing is an ever evolving one. What is important today will undoubtedly be unnecessary tomorrow. In regards to the Internet, the underlying evolution has been towards bringing users to their sought-after information in an easier and faster fashion. Now the Internet is at one of those seminal crossroads, and the victims in this case may be the web browsers that many users rely on today. Neither Linux or open source software browsers like Firefox or proprietary ones like Safari and Explorer are safe, as their necessity is shrinking and shrinking. These once dependable software middle men are now being cast away from the Internet’s natural progression.

So what’s causing web browsers to fade away? In general, the advancement of computing devices and software. But to be specific, the number one killer of web browsers is the growing use of mobile devices and tablets, along with their expansive array of software apps. These apps allow the user to directly connect to sites like Facebook or YouTube all without ever opening a web browser.

While the ramifications aren’t completely clear, the path seems to be leading to a more proprietary software in Internet connectivity. The majority of software apps on mobile devices and tablets are under the complete control of the developer; although, apps are being built to allow user customization and formatting for changing devices. Either way, web browsers are seeing themselves being muscled out of the fray as data can be accessed faster without unnecessary steps. In fact, recent statistics show a drop from 50% to 23% of traffic on the web going to web browsers over the past 10 years.

This transformation is bound to blur a lot of lines on the Internet. Social media apps, for instance, may eventually have the power to do away with not only web browsers but also the need for search engines. Through an app for Facebook, for example, a user can access information from other users, or records of previous interactions, all without the use of those out-dated web browsers or search engines.

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The Internet and Exaflood

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Students would have a hard time writing their term papers without it. Businesses would struggle without it. Families would have a more difficult time staying in touch with each other without it. We are talking about the Internet.

The Internet has grown from simple research programs in the 1980s to an integral part of daily life. The Internet’s utility continues to grow as more and more of the world’s population gains access to it and begins to contribute to the immense library of knowledge. This exponential growth, although great in concept, could end tragically if infrastructure does not continue to develop systems to support it.

The Internet began as interest in networking multiple computers together between each other gained popularity. Research conducted at MIT and UCLA led to packet switching technology and new protocols for communications between physically separated computers.

The global introduction of the Internet began in 1982 and quickly spread. Internet service providers quickly commercialized access to the Internet and catalyzed its growth.

Uses for the Internet have morphed from a communication tool to a business and social tool. With this, increased usage data rates communicated across the internet has grown exponentially. Increased email volume along with photos, music and video is flooding the Internet. Websites such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube and Flickr receive millions upon millions of rich media each and every day.

This incredible communication of data has come to be referred to as an “exaflood” of information. As of 2010, it is estimated that over 21 exabytes of information is transferred over the Internet. One exabyte is equal to one quintillion bytes! This startling statistic is cause for concern for some industry analysts as the rate of growth is quicker than the rate of growth for storage availability. In other words – the Internet will run out of space.

As technology advances, so will the amount of information transferred of the Internet increase. Innovation will have to keep pace with this exaflood of information. Companies would do well should they find the solution to ongoing issue.

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