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

E-mail

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