Remembering Linux after Years in IT Dealing with Windows 10 & 11

 

Linux Mint - Revisited

After years in IT—generations ago when I was first exploring Ubuntu 10.10 using UNetbootin to create a bootable live disk—life did what it often does and pulled me in a different direction. At the time, I didn’t realize how often I’d encounter systems frozen in place by necessity rather than choice.

The expectation was relentless uptime—often 90 to 100 percent—to keep processing running around the clock. Some of the equipment I encountered was astonishingly old, including machines still running Windows XP. It was surprising to see a modern processing plant relying so heavily on legacy systems, yet over time I began to recognize a familiar pattern.

I’ve since seen the same reality play out in medical and industrial environments alike: software and operating systems frozen in time, not because they were ideal, but because they were critical. When systems are deeply embedded in workflows, updating them becomes risky, expensive, or simply impossible—so they remain, quietly doing their job long after they should have been retired.

This brings me to the main point of this post: when so many critical systems rely on aging software, it makes sense to consider alternatives that are actively maintained rather than frozen in time. Linux is a strong contender for the path forward.

Though there may not be as widespread adoption of the software something that is open source and regularly updated while also compatible with older hardware would be the better option. What this tells me is if the software can run on windows 10 then it can run on Linux and iterations of the same software. Even when compatibility layers such as Wine are required, these applications can often run more securely on Linux than they would on legacy versions of Windows, particularly when the underlying system is still actively maintained and patched.

 This is in part because there is less of an attack vector on Linux as there is on windows. This is partially because most issues that arrive on windows don't have a place to land on linux. Along with the fact that linux by its very nature is less well known as windows. On Windows, legacy software often forces the operating system to age with it. On Linux, the operating system can continue to evolve while the application remains stable.  Linux is not inherently immune to security issues, but its design and update model make it easier to keep systems secure over long periods of time. Windows compatibility often ends when vendor support ends. Linux compatibility often begins where vendor support stops. These statement reference the reality of Linux versus windows. 

What ultimately stands out is that the decision between Linux and Windows in mission-critical environments is often less about technical merit and more about familiarity. Many professionals grow comfortable with a specific platform over years — sometimes decades — and that comfort can turn into resistance when alternatives are introduced. Even when a change could reduce the attack surface or improve long-term stability, it may still be met with hesitation simply because it disrupts what is known and trusted. Ironically, this resistance can leave systems more exposed over time. While the platform remains familiar, the threat landscape continues to evolve, and the cost of staying still quietly increases.

In the end, the choice between Linux and Windows in critical environments is rarely about capability. It is about comfort, habit, and the willingness to reassess long-standing assumptions. As threats continue to evolve, the systems we trust most may deserve a second look — not because they are new, but because they reduce risk in ways we’ve learned to overlook.

Unetbootin | Ubuntu 10.10 & 11.04

Tonight I figured I would try an experiment on using unetbootin to install 10.10 dvd image that equated to over 4.2 gigabytes which was just a bit to large for my 4 gig usb disk and I would rather not burn yet another dvd image and waste one more disk on what would otherwise be a temporary situation. For a test operating system, which was my objective with this situation. Which warrants by itself an explanation, as previously I had setup a triple boot that included Windows 7, Ubuntu 11.04 and Ubuntu 10.10 using standard practices.

Now this was setup over two disks one being 80 gig and the other 160 gig with numerous partitions over both disks for data and documents. Worked well for awhile that is until within the last few days it appears that 160 gig drive ended up dying as it has been inaccesible since. The end result and the way to finish up this thought is since then I only have a total of about 100 gigs over two drives now without the 160 which held windows 7 and it's data. I thought it appropiate that it would be the Windows 7 disk that died while the Ubuntu disks have survived. Yet even still I reset the system to now run Ubuntu 11.04 and Ubuntu 10.10 over dual boot.

The message is either the disk was in itself bad or something to do with the seemingly constant errors on windows 7 using Nvidia could have had something to do with it. The drive itself was supposed to be a replacement for what I thought was a messed up drive. As that is also part of it as the history of the drive is unknown or how long it has been since it was new. Along with any other prooblems the previous owner had with it. Taking that into account may explain this particular problem, but to keep it simple I would rather say it was the Windows 7 Install that caused the problems.

To bring this post back on track the eventual result was that it was necessary to do a clean install, starting with 11.04 which though relatively stable is nowhere near stable enough to be used on a production machine considering it does not officially reach a stable stage until April of this year. Yet I figured I would give it a try at this point in the development, which in itself should be a separate post that I will be posting at http://ubuntu101.wordpress.com In the not to distant future. After getting 11.04 instaleed using the standard wizardI realized that a few key componets that I needed were not yet available on that distribution, such as Virtualbox and a few others, not to mention some of the tools I use to write these posts on my HTC Wizard aka Cingular 8125. One particular tool that I have found works appropiately is My Mobiler using Wine which is a Windows Emulator to run apps specific to that operating system and supports a majority of applications but not all.

After the initial install was done, I remembered unetbootin that enables a faster and simpler way to install popular distributions by adding a new entry to the boot menu and enabling you to install it as it is just like a live cd without the need to burn it saving a cd and time. I used this amazing tool to install ubuntu 10.10 as a minimal installation with the very basics which I later found out was truly minimal, in the sense it was not quite enough for the system I am used too. Unetbootin made things much simpler besides the addition of necessary packages to make it more like the initial install of Ubuntu by adding a series of packages using Synaptic once I had set up the needed desktop system used aptitude and apt. Both of which are, terminal based programs that are effective when you know how to use them.

This post has gone longer then I had expected it will eiether be continued at;

- ubuntu101.wordpress.com
- ubuntu1012k9.blogspot.com
Stay Tuned.
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Raymond Marr

http://blog.homeofknatchwa.net
http://facebook.com/raymond.marr
http://helium.com/users/224664

Increasing Stability - Jaunty

As a relatively recent addition to the Ubuntu world since v8.04 I wanted to share today, about the wonders of progress, and how Ubuntu is proving itself time and time again as to how valuable and stable it can really be when Open Source, and constantly developed by a cooperative of programmers.

Working together to produce something new and exciting and far beyond what was ever expected of a Operating System such as Windows.

The point being since v8.04 much has improved and is constantly revised and updated, early on there were problems though there were always solutions, from sources such

• Ubuntu Forums
• Ubuntu 101 Friendfeed Room
• Numerous Resources found online.
• Nix Tutor
• Ubuntu Tutorials
• Tombuntu
• Ubuntu Unleashed
• And Many Others.
  

These sources become a wonderful point of contact and solid support on this amazing distribution of Linux, and it's most recent revisions including this updated kernal that is 2.6.28.11, that is the most stable I have seen so before, and has shown amazing improvement and enhanced functionality. Many features, such as improved wireless card support, stability not seen previously. And it goesbeyond that, with a better support for to many of the programs and additions that have long been part of windows and was not quite as well supported with Ubuntu. With this new kernal that has been improved upon considerably so. 

With this, current release and most current kernal I have found that Jaunty becomes more and more clearly, the better option then windows, with increased security and purely Open Source, programs and operating parameters. So the point of this particular entry is to speak on this kernal and how it has improved the overall useability.

Linux Unhackable - Ubuntu Stands Strong

The Linux fans will be thrilled to find out that their favorite operating system have proved the safest at the contest organized this week by the security firm TippingPoint.

via Linux News

Well good news from the tipping point competition, in seeing if a laptop running Ubuntu could be hacked.They competitors had three days, and the tools to use to attack the system, Mac Failed, and others did not survive, the interesting thing is that the Ubuntu Laptop was standing strong even on the third day of the competition so it says much for Ubuntu as the Operating System of Choice don't you think?

Ubuntu - Flock & The Journey

I just have had an opportunity to catch up on things, and there is more coming soon ... this is only a first blog post along with flock, and we shall see how it goes. The big question is how many use Flock and would you set it as your default?

I think to really make that change from Firefox which I have been quite happy with, with it's diverse selection of add-ons and the fact that it updates regularly not to mention, that the beauty of Open Source is quite apparent and very flexible.

Also why I have made the decision to transfer over to Ubuntu instead of dealing with Windows Vista, we shall see how well Windows 7 comes about, but honestly I would guess, that I will not change back to Closed Source because it is far more interesting. And the development cycle is fast and direct there is always ways to modify it or update it.

I like the flexibility that Ubuntu offers and yet this is just my beginning experiences in something that is not Windows or Microsoft it is nice to get away from Closed Source and yet to many games still follow the standard. Still uses DirectX and that is frustrating, to try and escape the circumstance and the limitation.

There is talk that windows 7, when it comes out will be closer to standards and may actually not require a different renderer, and perhaps it would make buildintg websites easier. Speculation is easy it is the rest of the story that must be explored. When it comes out, I would much rather be able to try it before paying for it.

The cost can be prohibitive and it may not be worth it, seeing as you bought it though it is more likely you will stay with it. Not to mention the frustration that the activation has always been and continues to be one of the main frustrations and annoyances that seems to be par for Microsoft and it's story.

The point being that really the best strategy is to steer clear of Microsoft and focus on Open Source because that works out better for most individuals who have the opportunities to explore something that is completely separate from most anything else.

That is my choice, what would be the choice you would make? Are you happy with Microsoft's Closed Source, instead of exploring Open Source? Of Course the Choice is yours, so share your thoughts:

• In The Comments Down Below

• Or Explore the Forums @ hok-international.net
  

Blogged with the Flock Browser