LINUX TAKES THE LEAD OVER WINDOWS 10 

Linux, like ice cream, comes in many flavors. Behind the curtain Linux continues to quietly run the world. Unknown to most, everything you own that is “smart” usually runs some flavor of Linux. Until recently this did not really matter to most end users (you) because Linux offered a buggy GUI (graphical user interface). Linux’s best features were only available to those highly invested in technology (me) because of the high level of knowledge required to properly configure Linux to a users needs. Good news, this has all changed.

Windows is no longer receiving the detail and attention it used to. At one time Windows felt like Microsoft’s flagship product but these days it feels like an after thought. Microsoft is using it’s operating system as a sort of advertising portal while they record and store data about your use. Windows 10 is considered a service, not a product you can purchase. This has been made very clear by Microsoft. Who knows when Microsoft will decide to discontinue their “free” operating system service unless you pay x amount of money monthly. Microsoft makes continuous updates that you can not avoid. These updates seem to contain useless non-business like features. These updates (specifically the cumulative ones) break a lot of peoples machines. The updates often get stuck in loops and continuously retry to download and update. Someone on a data limited connection (common in rural areas) can have their whole monthly data allotment eaten up in one evening when an update goes mad. I would imagine ISP owners dislike Microsoft’s new approach to updates. I would have to imagine ISP’s are seeing a lot more network traffic than they used to.

So why do people continue to use Windows despite all of it’s short comings? If Windows wasn’t already installed on almost all newly sold computers I believe you would see more variety in operating system choices. Windows 10 is the most sophisticated operating system on the planet. Some end users don’t understand, don’t know, or simply don’t care that their data is being compromised. Some are tied to Windows through software requirements, or what they believe to be requirements.

What about Apple’s Mac OSX that all your friends are bragging about being virus free? First, lets dispose of the common myth that Mac’s don’t get infections. There are Mac based viruses and they are becoming more prevalent. The more market share Macs control, the more viruses are created to infiltrate these machines. What is OSX? Apple created their OSX operating system by taking BSD Unix and changing/configuring it to their liking. Apple has not created anything unique and or special. Apple took an open source, already secure and accomplished operating system (BSD Unix) and improved on it calling it OSX and branding it their own creation. Unless you want to move from one dictator to another, choosing Apple over Windows is like choosing the lesser of two evils. Buying into apple is expensive and leaves you little to choose from when it comes to hardware. It is very difficult to find good support for Apple computers due to their proprietary hardware and lack of mainstream use. Use of Mac OSX has increased but still remains largely in Window’s shadow. In my opinion the Mac OSX GUI (graphical user interface) is and always has felt clunky and backwards with little ability for configuration.

How can you break away from Windows 10/Apple and gain control of your operating system/computer again? If you are a dynamic business oriented person who is looking to maximize productivity while minimizing time spent on operating system woes then Linux might be exactly what you have been missing. Ubuntu Linux or Mint Linux are two great examples of Linux distributions that give you all of the application support and compatibility of Windows/Mac while leaving you in control of your operating system. It does take more time and technical ability to install and configure these Linux operating systems. This is a small price for the reliability you get from Linux. While all your friends are upset about new Windows updates and bugs that are interfering with their work you will be unaffected. All of Linux’s work suite applications come pre-installed. Updating Linux is as simple as clicking a button (much like Windows used to be). Linux does nothing behind your back. You can sleep well knowing your data isn’t leaking out of your control. Linux is open source and anyone including you can take a look under the hood to see it’s source code. This openness is what keeps Linux safe. It’s hard to take advantage of users when the code is out in the open and everyone is aware of the programming logic and intent of the code. If Linux wasn’t the most secure operating system it wouldn’t quietly rule the world while they cram bloated and malicious operating systems down end users throats hoping the end user is willing to give their data and personal use habits away freely. Please feel free to contact us at True Computing to learn more about all of our technology solutions. We love what we do and it shows in our work.


 

 

Keep your data on premises

Convenience at the expense of security?  Who has your data?  Where is it physically?  Who has access to it and how do you know it is secure from prying eyes?  Does data you store with companies get sold or traded without your permission?  Are you sure information will not be gleaned from your online backups?  Remember this everytime you drop something into dropbox, or backup something online.  These are issues that businesses should consider before using these convienent, but insecure services instead of more traditional on-site solutions.  Cloud computing is only as safe as the company providing it.

Business Servers

Server Maintenance and Roles  
True Computing installs, configures and maintains server roles including but not limited to AD DS, DNS, DHCP, IIS, FTP, Apache, DFS, Network Policy and Access Services (RAS and VPN), terminal services, file services, and Hyper-V.  We can update, patch, and monitor server operating systems to ensure best system performance and health.

Storage  
Need more space?  We can provide storage solutions to meet your needs.  We support the implementation of storage including racked storage, tape drive storage, network attached storage, and RAID in respect to performance and redundancy.

Backups  
True Computing can setup and configure backups to meet your needs.  We will utilize industry standard software such as Veritas Backup Exec to give you a turn key backup solution.  Do not wait until you lose data to be prepared.

We are Linux friendly

Microsoft has decided to gamble with your time, money and frustration in efforts to increase the value of their operating system.  Windows 11 continues to have frequently forced major updates that leave customers out of operation. 

As Windows 11 phases out Windows 10, users are finding themselves forced into Microsoft accounts upon setting up their computer.  Forced security risks that Window’s dubs as “features” seem to be the new normal.  Whether it’s storing your data on their computers (aka the cloud), collecting your telemetry (computer usage info), forcing changes to their operating system (it’s theirs and you likely use it as a free service) without your permission, running advertisements on your screen as you log in or encouraging which news services you and your children are exposed to. These, and many more reasons might make you consider using a less invasive operating system.  

There are many operating systems that support your computer.   While Windows 11 is one of the most presumptuous operating systems, other options do exist.  Give us a call for any Linux or Mac OS X questions or concerns.

So what should you choose? Read more...