Post on 22-Nov-2014
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Intro to Linux(for ham radio operators)
Tanner Lovelace26/August/2004
Cary Amateur Radio Club
Outline
What is Linux?
What can you do with Linux?
What can’t you do with Linux?
Why you should use Linux.
Linux and Ham Radio
Questions and answers
What is Linux?
An alternative computer operating system
Started by Linus (pronouced Lee-noos) Torvalds in October 1991.
Contains contributions by hundreds of people
Mature, powerful, secure UNIX-like operating system
Free software
Linux and GNU
Linux is only a “kernel”
Sort of like the engine in a car (you need it, but by itself it’s not very useful)
The GNU system fills out a complete system (like the rest of the automobile)
The GNU Project
Started by Richard Stallman in 1983
Objective: to develop a completely free software system
Free == freedom, not price
Mostly done in 1991, last major piece missing was ... the kernel!
GNU and Freedom
General Public License
Use the software at no charge, without any limitations
Copy, distribute, or sell unmodified copies of the software in source or binary form
More GPL
Use the software with proprietary (i.e. your own) modifications free of charge, as long as you don’t distribute it
Modify, distribute or sell modified versions of the software as long as the license terms stay the same
Sell support for the software (no limitations)
Linux distributionsA “distribution” is a collection of linux and its related software
Most end-users will use a Linux distribution
Popular distributions:
Red Hat, Fedora
Mandrake
SuSE (Novell)
Knoppix
What can you do with Linux?
Web browsing
Mozilla, Firefox, Konqueror
Mozilla, Thunderbird, Evolution, KMail
Word processing, office software
OpenOffice.org, KOffice, MS-Office (using Crossover Office)
Default NCSU Desktop
Linux advantages
Modern, stable, multi-tasking, multi-user on PC hardware
Freedom from viruses
Advanced Graphical User Environment
Tons of free software
Excellent learning platform
More Linux Advantages
Excellent network connectivity
Connects to Windows, Novell, Apple
Rapid development of new features
Not owned by anyone, so no worries about it going away
What can’t you do with Linux?
Almost nothing ...
There are a few proprietary programs that do not run under linux (but often free alternatives are available)
ActiveX web controls
Hardcore gaming
Why you should use Linux
Control -- Linux let’s you control your PC, not the other way around.
Freedom
Upgrade when you want to, not when a big corporation needs upgrade profits
Be free of viruses
Cost
How?
Triangle Linux Users Grouphttp://www.trilug.org/
Mailing list for questions/answers
Monthly meetings to learn more(2nd Thu @ RTI)
Local “Installfests” (help you install linux)Saturday, Sept 18 @ Wake Tech(Please register at TriLUG website)
Linux and Ham Radio
Many ham radio programs are available for linux.
Rig control programs, logging programs, packet/TNC, APRS, SSTV, RTTY, PSK & more
AFU Knoppix is a no install, ham radio focused, linux distribution.
Software Defined Radio
Normal radio -- mostly or completely analog
SDR - convert to digital as soon as possible, do everything else in software
Potential to revitalize experimentation
GNU Radio -- software radio building blocks
ReferencesTriangle Linux Users Grouphttp://www.trilug.org/
Linux Newbie Administrator Guide http://linux-newbie.sunsite.dk/html/lnag.html
AFU Knoppix http://www.afu-knoppix.de/
Mandrake Linux for Hamshttp://www.n9nu.net/linux/linux.php
Linux for Hamshttp://www.arrl.org/news/features/2003/12/12/1/
GNU Projecthttp://www.gnu.org/
GNU Radiohttp://www.gnu.org/software/gnuradio/gnuradio.html
Questions and Answers