Anything Everything

The latest version of Ubuntu Linux, Ubuntu 9.10 codenamed Karmic Koala is ready from October 29th, 2009. Like it's predecessors, this one too is free and you can download it from the ubuntu website or request for a free c.d.

As I have earlier stated, using open source applications have many advantages over propreitary ones. The world is now embracing Linux and its companions. Our Kerala Government too promote open source applications. This reduces cost, increases efficiency and security. Please support open source applications by switching to Linux. Think free, Breathe free and Live free with Ubuntu.

UBUNTU means HUMANITY TO OTHERS

BE HUMANE; PROMOTE UBUNTU

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Live free or Die-hard is again the topic of the day. This time we deal with the spiritual aspects of this Hollywood movie title. Here too you are left with two options – either think free (and hence live free) or be a die-hard believer of any particular religion. Don't frown, it's a fact. BEWARE OF THE FACT; BE AWARE OF THE FACT.
Let me ask you a simple question. Are you HUMAN?
Of course you are. Only a human being can operate a computer and read a blog (to the best of my knowledge)
But, ARE YOU HUMANE?
Don't rush into a conclusion. Think... Let your conscience answer this question, while you read the rest of this post.
Do you believe in GOD?. If so, which GOD do you believe. The one defined by the various religions in their on unique way (often contradicting each other) through a set of stories. (The one you are familiar with) or, ******* (whom you will eventually find out)
Let's start from the roots. I'm switching the question from “Is there a GOD?” to “Is there the necessity for a GOD?”. And my answer is YES. But that doesn't mean I'm religious. What I meant was that there is a “something” that is needed by us for our survival, who will bestow us with boons and whose laws we can't disobey (the characteristics of so called GOD). Right?
Now, can you think of any other possible solution for this “something”, other than GOD ? I can. The answer is SCIENCE, or more precisely, PHYSICS. This omnipotent is needed for our survival, who will give us BOONS, and whose laws we can't disobey (Try disobey Law of Gravity!!!). From friction to quantum mechanics, we use it's various incarnations to do ALL our activities. (Can you think of a single task that doesn't require physics? Even praying requires many aspects of physics). Physics encourages (or, rather compel) us to QUESTION, to THINK, to ARRIVE AT A RATIONAL CONCLUSION. It don't simply state a fact, without proof. It even allow you to abandon a great theory, if you find a single observation that it can't account for. Will any religion allow such a move? Physics is constantly improvising itself for the future. That is the greatness of physics.
But, if you still adhere to your belief, I don't want to pursue you to be a non-believer. That's not my motto. Also, if you still can't think of physics as omnipotent, you have another option left. Believe in YOU. Your mind has many abilities that baffle scientists all around the world. Let, LOVE FOR HUMANITY be your prayer. The human mind has got the power to heal the deepest of all wounds, or deadliest of all diseases (like GOD). The only thing you need is FAITH. That faith is not in GOD, but in yourself. Believe it or not, your mind can bring about miracles in your (and other's) life, if you have the determination to tap that immense power, with which you are born. Thus, faith and love are the two important things you need in your life, not religion.
You may argue that all religions urges us to love and have faith. But, there's a major difference, they all need a GOD (governed by so called 'Men of God') who has created you, watch you, and ABOVE you. No religion will entertain this “Mind-is-GOD” concept, because, then no-one will heed to their lectures, stories, et al. They all want to control us. They take us into their confidence, for their various needs. We are like puppets in their hands. Okay, I will devote another post for that. What I meant was that the untapped potential in you, your mind is the true GOD. If you have that real power, do you still need a religion? Again, the choice is up to you......

This is the alternate title of 2007 Hollywood film Diehard 4.0 starring Bruce Willis. But, in this technical world, it has got a different perspective. Either you can live (and think) freely using open source softwares or be a diehard user of proprietary softwares.

Open source softwares have many advantages over proprietary ones. The major one is the cost. Usually open source softwares are free of cost. One can download it from net and install in one's computer, and are encouraged to spread it. Operating systems like Ubuntu even ship you a c.d ABSOLUTELY FREE OF COST!!!! (Isn't it too tempting an offer?). Proprietary softwares, on the other hand, cost you money (and your freedom). Also, they are designed for a single use. You can't simply borrow your friend's software and install it in your system (legally). Ofcourse, they may design it for many users, but the cost too will be manifold (exponentially!!).

If you are well versed in programming, and you feel that your existing software doesn't have a feature you want (or it has a bug), then you can modify (or debug) it in open source softwares ONLY. Because, only they come to you with their source code. You can alter it, spread it. You can't get the source code of a proprietary software.

The major drawback of a Windows (a proprietary software) system is, it is prone to virus attacks. These harmful little programs can affect your valuable data. But Linux systems are unassailable to Windows viruses.

One major setback to the open source softwares is “THE COMMON MAN'S ATTITUDE”. For most people, Windows is synonymous to computer. Most people are under the impression that Linux is like a command line O.S, that is not user friendly, lacks technical perfection etc. Gone are those days. Modern Linus O.S are beautiful, user-friendly, technically advanced et al. There are various Linux distributions, like,

UBUNTU, REDHAT, SUSE, FEDORA, MANDRIVA and even LINSPIRE (which is not free though)

One more advantage of Linux O.S is that it comes with an office suite (openoffice.org), an image editinf software (GIMP). But in Windows, you have to buy these additional ones. Also, it has Firefox as it's browser (a major browser software and a major threat to I.E). Also, if you need a software for a particular purpose, you can simply download it, install in an instant, get going. (as simple as 1,... 2,.... 3)

Linux is not without some limitations. If you are looking forward to install Linux, sit back and enjoy some music, or watch a video, you may be disheartened at first, because the inbuilt media player can't play them. (due to proprietary limitations of formats like mp3, wav etc.) But you can (of course, you will) download the required codecs from the net , WITHOUT PAYMENT (of course, excluding the nominal data charges) and ROCK ON..... So in Linux, there is always a way. You just need to log into a community website, post the question, get the answer, implement it. Simple!!!

So, you have two options- to LIVE FREE or be DIEHARD. The choice is upto you....

From now on, this blog will be entirely different. Now, I will write about my thoughts and feelings on various subjects, mostly religion, politics, literature etc.
This will not be a simple blog, it will deal will big things.(At least, things I consider big)
A.R