Strictly speaking, Linux is` the kernel of a computer operating system. A kernel is software that enables communications between computer applications and hardware, providing system services like file management, virtual memory, device I/O, and more. An Operating System needs more than just the kernel. The GNU organization ported, wrote and developed many of the software applications that combine with the Linux kernel to make a complete Operating System. This is why you will see the term GNU/Linux used when referring to Linux, to give credit for their contribution. Put all of this software together with some custom configuration and installation programs and you have what's referred to as a Distribution. Each distribution is created by a particular person or persons, be it a for-profit company like Redhat, or a group of like-minded individuals. Distributions vary in areas such as ease of installation, included software, and kernel versions.

The Linux kernel was created by Linus Torvalds and first announced on the Internet in 1991. Before and during this period, Richard Stallman was creating the GNU organization, writing software like compilers and editors and such, and creating a software license called the General Public License, or GPL. All of this software, and a lot of other programs written, enhanced, and developed by many other volunteers became what is now, in its various flavors, called Linux or GNU/Linux. Since the Internet has been such an integral part of Linux since the beginning, it seems so very appropriate that this multiuser, multitasking, multiprocessor-supporting, multi-contributor operating system now runs so many of the systems that power today's Internet.

The first thing you will notice about XP is the fresh clean look. Microsoft has succeeded in creating an operating system that previous Windows users welcome and new users find easy to use. Changes in the interface are, for the most part, small but impressive. Common tasks have been simplified, and new visual cues have been added to help users navigate more easily. Helpful new features are not necessarily obvious but are interwoven into the fabric of this new OS. For example, many small changes make working with pictures and photographs much easier. Open a picture file and you will be presented with options that allow you to rename, copy, move the file, e-mail the picture, view your pictures as a slide show, or set the chosen picture as your desktop background. If, for example, you choose to e-mail the photo, Windows XP will automatically compress the picture so that it will travel faster over the Internet. XP will recognize most cameras when attached to the computer without the use of additional software. It will also allow you to easily save photos on a CD or print them in a variety of sizes. Even viewing photos on the screen is easier.

here will be times when you need to configure Linux networking manually by editing text files. To help you with this task, here are specific instructions on which files you need to edit and how to modify them correctly. Although there are a number of very powerful graphic configuration tools, there may be instances, such as bare bones, server-only installations, when an administrator will have to configure networking in Linux without the aid of a configuration utility. When this type of setup is needed, it is necessary to know exactly what files to modify and how to modify them.

Cross-Browser Compatibility

We keep five different web browsers open at all times during the development of our web sites, constantly ensuring that the features we incorporate will work on the most popular web browsers in use today. This includes using strategies such as non-dithering colors wherever possible so that your site looks as good on Netscape Navigator as it does on Internet Explorer or Opera. You won't read, "This site best viewed with..." on any of our web sites, because we strive for higher standards. While it is virtually impossible to make a site look identical on all browsers, nobody said we couldn't set that as a goal.

Multi-Screen Resolution Compatibility

This one's even more difficult. To create an impressive web site that looks just as inspiring on a 640x480 screen resolution as 800x600 is quite a challenge indeed. Nevertheless, our web sites are shining examples that this, too, is an attainable feat. We test every page on both resolutions (in all five web web browsers). In some instances slight compromises are necessary, but we keep such exceptions to a minimum.

Navigability

Your customers will never get lost in a chain of nested links in a web page designed by Amigo.Net. You're already familiar with the attractive menu bar at the top of this screen. You'll find it on every page of this web site (excluding the main page), so that no matter where you are, you're never more than a click away from this month's tech tip or information about our dial-up access numbers across the State. In addition, users who disable images on their web browsers still maintain full navigability due to the text-based menu at the bottom of every screen.

Download Time

Speaking of disabling images, this should rarely be necessary on an Amigo.Net web site. We are very conscientious about the amount of graphics we use, as we believe the primary purpose for a web site is to dispel information. Nonetheless, high-quality graphics are (and should be) key elements to a successful site, thus we use the most powerful algorithms available to compress our GIF and JPEG images. As a step towards maximum compression we work at such things as reducing the color palette index prior to applying the compression technique.

Search Engines

Your web site will do you little good if the world cannot find it. We've done extensive research into the various search engines and directories that link today's Internet surfers to their desired locations. We keep search engines in mind throughout the development phase since there are many elements involved which will ultimately assist the search engines in bringing up your page. Naming techniques, descriptions, keywords, and meta tags are all vital issues that we pursue rigorously.

Last Update: Thursday, June 24, 2003 | © 2002-2003 Kay Nix  ·  K-SeCuRiTy Timisoara, Romania