Even from the early days, technology has always grown and advanced. Everything from televisions and mobile phones to AV equipment and personal computers has become more advanced and efficient as the years and knowledge of the technologies included has become more known.
Let’s focus on personal computers, or PCs, and the software that drove them and thus made computing tasks that much more user friendly. As you may have guessed, I’m talking about the OS or Operating System.
Now, everyone will have heard of ‘Microsoft Windows’ and ‘Mac OS’ as these are very popular operating systems that have been around for along time. However, what a lot of people don’t realise is that there’s one other that is the brains behind a lot of technologies you see today.
I’m talking about Linux.
Like Mac OS and Microsoft Windows, Linux comes under the category of an operating system, however Linux is slightly different in the fact that it’s actually a Kernel rather than a fully fledged operating system.
If you’re wondering what a Kernel is and how it differs from an operating system, here’s your answer: Linux provides the middleman between your hardware and the Operating System, which is what your Windows or Mac drivers do.
However, Linux does more than just provide hardware support, it also includes features, fixes and a solid base for other software, such as operating systems to be built on.
You may be thinking that something this powerful must come a hefty price tag – wrong. In fact, there is none whatsoever. Linux is completely open source, which, to keep things simple, means anyone and everyone can contribute to its development.
Personally, I feel that open source is the way forward; firstly because I feel free is more appealing than paid, and secondly because the more ‘brains’ involved in a project, the more ideas and features can be included.
But wait, it gets better.
Did you know that Linux actually has its own independent operating system? Well, to be correct, it has hundreds – that’s right hundreds; all of them based on Linux yet all of them different.
How? I’ll tell you.
As I mentioned above, Linux is open source and therefore means you can take your own personal copy and create your very own operating system with it. However, there are a few rules:
- Never sell the product off as your own invention
- Give credit to Linux and its rightful owners/creators
- Give your product away for free
One of the many Linux operating systems now available is Lubuntu. Like any other Linux based operating system, Lubuntu is free and comes with a wide variety of software that allows you to accomplish your regular personal computing tasks.
Everything from browsing the web to gaming; Lubuntu provides you with all you could ever need. But why should you use it and switch from your current operating system? Well, to be honest, if your current PC setup is working fine, then there is no need. However if you are having trouble – for example, if you are getting constant crashes, or perhaps your PC is completely unusable – then making a switch to a Linux operating system such as Lubuntu could be a solution for you.
But what makes Lubuntu so great?
Have you ever had driver problems? Well, with Lubuntu all drivers are built into the Linux Kernel, meaning that once Lubuntu is installed, so are your drivers. Not only this, but you will also get a set of pre-installed applications as soon as you have installed the operating system.
One of my favourite features with Lubuntu is how light on your hardware it is. This means you no longer have to throw away old PCs, as Lubuntu will bring them back to life (not literally).
So, what do you think? Are you liking the sound of a hassle free Operating System that also costs nothing? Why not check out the official Lubuntu website for more inforamtion? You can find it at lubuntu.net.