The Linux Alliance

Why Windows Updates are Important

If you’ve ever used a computer that runs with the Windows operating system then you probably have noticed that there are hundreds of Windows updates. While every Windows user knows the little box in the corner indicates that Windows has an update for the operating system not many people know exactly why they are downloading these updates and what these updates are exactly used for. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why Windows updates are essential and critical to your computer.

Operation of Computer. Many Windows updates are required as they allow the Windows operating system to run smoothly. Many times there are glitches and bugs that are found in the operating system. These updates will offer patches to the computer users will not notice any problems with their operating system.

Security of the Computer. The Windows operating system is one of the most unsecure operating systems on the market. Hackers and viruses love to you the operating system due to the vulnerable nature of it. The manufacturers at Microsoft Windows are constantly working on ways to strengthen the security of the system. These Windows updates generally contain security updates that will help reinforce the system and prevent hackers and viruses from gaining easy access to computer system.

Updates for the System. The Internet is always changing. The Windows updates help your operating system to keep up with the ever-changing nature of the Internet. This can be changes to the system, security problems and programs that need to work and become compatible with the operating system. The updates contain solutions for all these problems.

How to Enable JavaScript in Browsers Commonly Used in Linux

A vast majority of the websites on the Internet use a programming language known as JavaScript. When a computer user who has a Linux operating system runs into a website that uses JavaScript they might not be able to view a properly as the JavaScript is not enabled. Linux operating system users must personally go in and in able the JavaScript in their web browser as it is not set to a default setting. Here’s a look at some of the most commonly used Internet browsers and how to enable the JavaScript on each individual Internet browser.

Konqueror. To enable JavaScript using this Internet browser you must first select the settings from the top of the bar. You will then go and select the option that says configure Konquror. This will bring up a list of items one of them is called Java and JavaScript. Choose that. From there select JavaScript and make sure that there is a checkmark in the phrase in enable Java globally. Click on apply and then okay.

Mozilla Firefox. Once the Mozilla Firefox web browser has been open choose edit from the top bar and then select preferences from the menu. Find the content window and make sure there is a checkmark in the box that says enable JavaScript. Choose apply and then click okay.

Epiphany. Open up the Epiphany web browser. From the top bar make sure you select edit and choose preferences from the menu. In the edit menu choose on advanced and privacy. From there make sure that there are checkmarks in the sections titled in evil job on an enable JavaScript. Choose okay and close out the window.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: JavaScript, Konqueror, Mozilla Firefox

Final Configuration for Remote Access for Linux

Many Linux users would like to remotely access the computer from another part of the city or country. To do this you must set up your computer in a way that allows you to remotely access the Linux operating system and use the computer system. Once you have set up the configuration for remote access and discovered what IP address your computer has you’re able to do the final stop in remote accessing your Linux operating system. Here’s a walk-through of the final stop that is required to remote access your Linux operating system computer.

Step one. You’ll need to login to the router of your computer. To do this you need to type in the following address http://192.168.1.1 this is the default setting for your router.

Step two. A login screen will pop up on your computer. You’ll need to put in your admin name and password in order to change the settings.

Step three. Looking at the top of screen title advanced or expert. You’ll need to enter the screen in order to create a new network for your Linux operating system. When John located in you’ll be prompted to enter in a number for the port entering the number 5900 as well as the IP address of the computer you wish to access.

Step four. Make sure you save the settings that you have just put in. If you do not save the settings you will be required to input this every single time you wish to remote access computer.

Step five. Do a test run of the remote access desktop and make sure that you’re able to access the computer.

Filed Under: Linux Community Tagged With: IP address, Linux, Remote access

Remote Access for Linux: How to Find Your IP Address

Once you have set up your Linux operating system with the proper sets information for the remote access you’ll be able to program the computer to remotely access another computer. To do that you’ll have to put in several different settings so that the computer is prepared to remote access the other computer. Here’s a look at the steps that are involved to remote accessing a computer that runs on the Linux operating system. This walk-through will take you through how to get the IP address on the Linux operating system so that you are able to remote access the computer anywhere.

Step one. You’ll need to locate the IP address of the computer that is running the Linux operating system. The IP address is essential to remote access as allows the other computer to know exactly which computer it needs to access. Retrieving the IP address from your Linux operating system can be done in one or two ways.

Step two. If you have a Linux operating system that is directly connected to the Internet you can get the IP address by doing the following. Linux operating systems that are directly connected to the Internet can have their IP address retrieved straight from the Internet service provider. You can get this by calling or Internet service provider or by using an independent free IP address retrieval software which is available for free online.

Step three. If you have a Linux operating system that is connected through a router you can get the IP address in the following way. Open up a command window and type in the command ifconfig. This will bring up the IP address of your computer and allow you to use it to access the remote access.

Filed Under: Operating Systems Tagged With: IP address, Operating system, Remote access

Preparing Your Linux System for Remote Access Part 1

Many Linux users want to be able to have the same type of features and networking abilities as a Windows PC and Mac computer. While it might not appear at first glance the Linux operating system has all the functions that these operating systems have a Linux operating system has the same capabilities as the other operating systems. One of these capabilities is the ability to set up a Linux operating system for remote access. Here’s a look at how to set up your Linux operating system for remote access. These steps will walk you through the basics of setting up your Linux operating system that you are able to remote access it from a different computer.

Step one. You must first set up the remote desktop networking system. To this you must choose system from the desktop and then choose preferences and remote desktop. Under the remote desktop tab there will be an option called sharing. You must also make sure that it has the choice to allow other users to use the desktop. Another option that must be selected is to allow other users to view the desktop. Once it has been confirmed as checked click okay and close out.

Step two. You must now set up the configuration for advanced remote properties. To this you’ll have to choose a number of different properties to allow remote access. Some of the most commonly used settings under this part of the Linux operating system is to choose to allow local connections, the use of an alternate port and the ability to disable the wallpaper when using remote access.

By following the steps above you will prepare your system so that you are able to remotely access your computer or another Linux operating system.

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Linux, Operating system, Remote access

Moving Thunderbird Data to Another Linux Computer

One of the most commonly used e-mail clients for those that use the Linux operating system is an e-mail system known as Thunderbird. Thunderbird is an e-mail client that is produced by Mozilla and is open sourced which allows users to receive the same benefits as they would another e-mail client without having to pay the high cost. Thunderbird users are able to store e-mail messages, e-mail address books, save account passwords and other settings into their profile directory. So what happens when you wish to use your Thunderbird profile on another you Linux computer? Here’s a look at how you can transfer the Thunderbird profile from one Linux computer to another.

Step one. In the top panel of your screen there is a section titled home. Choose this and pick the option titled places. From places choose the option titled view and then show hidden files.

Step two. Locate the file titled Thunderbird and right-click on it. You can then choose the option titled copy.

Step three. Place a USB flash drive into one of the Linux computer USB slots which will allow you to transfer from one computer to another.

Step four. From the places menu choose the name of the drive that you have placed the USB flash drive in.

Step five. You can then select edit and choose paste. This will take the hidden file that you just copied and placed it into the USB drive. From there choose file and then close.

Step six. From the desktop of your Linux operating system right-click on the USB drive that you are using and selecting eject. You can then remove the USB flash drive and take it to another computer which will allow you to download it and use it with that Thunderbird on the computer.

Filed Under: Operating Systems Tagged With: Linux, Thunderbird, USB flash drive

How to Download and Use Thunderbird on Linux

Image via Wikipedia

Most people who use the Linux operating system like to go with open source programs. Open source programs allow them to use computer programs that are very similar to the ones that need to be paid for but instead are free. One of the most popular type of open-source programs that is used by Linux operating system users is known as the Thunderbird. Thunderbird is an open-source program that is used for e-mail. it is very easy to use. The hardest part about getting Thunderbird on your computer when using Linux is knowing how to download it. Here’s a look at how to download and get Thunderbird working on your computer.

Step one. You must first download the program Thunderbird from on the Mozilla website.

Step two. Once the download is complete you’ll need to open up a Linux terminal window which will allow you to put in a command.

Step three. You’ll need to type in the command cd/opt and push the enter key. You will then need to type in the prompt mkdirthunderbird and push the enter key. You’ll need to type in one last prompt which is cd thunderbird and push enter.

Step four. You’ll need to type in the command cp/home/path/to/thunderbird.dowload.tar.gz only replace the words home path and to with where you have downloaded the program. The Thunderbird download will also include the addition the name of the download program that you installed. After you have typed this all out push the enter key and installation will begin on your Linux operating system.

Step five. Once the download is complete you can start the program by typing in the command opt/thunderbird/thunderbird which will automatically start the Thunderbird program on your Linux operating system.

Filed Under: Operating Systems Tagged With: Linux, Mozilla Thunderbird

Determining How Much Memory You Have on Linux

Just like any other operating system the Linux operating system requires the use of memory to store programs and software. The problem is that if you are a regular user to PC computers or Mac computer you may be unfamiliar with how to check out how much memory you are exactly using, using the Linux operating system. That is because the Linux operating system requires you to put in a set of commands in order to bring up with how much memory you are using. Windows PC and Mac operating systems have this option set up in a graphical user interface window which allows users to click and see how much memory they are using. If you are using a Linux operating system and wish to see how much memory you are using here is a look at how to perform the command in order to bring up that type of information.

Step one. Choose the system button on your Linux system. This will usually open up a terminal window which is used to type in all the commands and bring up the information that you want.

Step two. You’ll need to switch over to a room user on the Linux operating system. To do this type in the command su and press the enter key.

Step three. You will generally be prompted to type in the password for the system. It is asked for password place in the password. However, some users have their Linux operating system set up so there is no password that needs to be typed in.

Step four. You’ll need to write out the command grep memtotal/proc/meminfo and choose the enter key. This will bring up a window which will display how much the Linux memory size is being used and allow you to determine how much you have.

Filed Under: Linux Community Tagged With: Linux, Operating system

Installing a VNC on Linux

The Linux operating system can do almost anything that a Windows PC or Mac operating system can do this includes setting up a virtual network computing station. Virtual network computing station lock computer users to access local computers through a graphical user interface. The problem is that the software that is used for virtual network computing is usually only available for Windows and Mac computers. That doesn’t mean that a Linux operating system is unable to run this type of configuration. Here’s a look at how to set up a virtual network computing station on the Linux operating system.

Step one. You must opening your web browser. This is the first essential step.

Step two. Locate the virtual network computing software download page. The software that is commonly used is called RealVNC.

Step three. You must choose which edition of the software you wish to download. Most computer users will go with the free edition, however, there is a paid edition which you can purchase. To download the software click on the button titled download. This button is located on the screen next to the free edition for Linux.

Step four. Before you can begin downloading you must accept the licensing agreement between you and the software company. This is standardized licensing agreement that all Linux users will see.

Step five. You must open a Linux terminal window to start the commands.

Step six. Choose where the directory was downloaded and where the file was placed.

Step seven. You will need to type in the following command into the command window tar-vnc-<version>_linux.tar.gz. remember to replace the word version with the version that you downloaded.

Step eight. Type in the command cd vnc-<version> which will navigate you to a new directory that has been created.

Step nine. You’ll need to switch to the root user which can be done by typing the letters su. You can then type the command to install the software onto your computer this command is /vncinstall/usr/local/bin. Once this is done you can click the exit to exit the program

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks Tagged With: Linux, Virtual Network Computing

Removing Icons from the Gnome Desktop in Linux

A very popular desktop that is used for Linux operating systems is known as the GNOME desktop. This type desktop is the default type desktop that is used in all Linux operating systems. Just as with any desktop that is used for Windows PC or Mac users might want to remove icons from the desktop. Depending upon the type of icon that you are using in the Gnome desktop through a process will be different. Here’s a look at how to remove normal icons and special icons using this style of Linux desktop system.

The Removal Of Normal Icons

Step one. You must first choose to show your desktop which can be done by selecting the show desktop icon which is located in the lower left corner of your screen.

Step two. Choose the icon which you wish to remove by right clicking on it.

Step three. A list of available options will be given to you. Choose move to trash. If the image on the desktop is a file it will automatically be deleted. If it is an icon and you wish to keep it on your computer but not have icon you must first select places than home folder and drag the icon from the desktop to the window titled file browser.

Removal of Special Icon

Step one. You must open the dialog box titled run application. To do this you must select ALT and F2.

Step two. In the run application box type it in gconf-editor and select run.

Step three. Choose the + which is next to the app window in configuration editor.

Step four. Look through the configuration editor and find the selection titled Nautilus and make sure the + is checked.

Step five. Choose desktop on the left pane of the configuration editor window.

Step six. You will then choose the icons which you wish to delete by clicking the check boxes on the right of the configuration editor window. The icons are pretty self-explanatory.

Filed Under: Linux Community Tagged With: Desktop Linux, Linux