LINUX Data Recovery From Ext3 File System Partition Is Possible

Being part of this e-age, we must have witnessed data loss every now and then. Though LINUX is not new to us, for its command mode and less user friendlier user interface, users are less comfortable at using it. Furthermore, if there happens any problem leading to data loss, the panic is beyond explanation. LINUX has some inbuilt commands for customizing the recovery of deleted files, still recovery from complex issues of data loss need more sophisticated utility like LINUX data recovery software.

Brief about ext3 file system:
LINUX has many different file systems such as JFS, ReiserFS, XFS, ext2, ext3 etc. Here we are talking about ext3 file system and the recovery options once any file is deleted under this. ext3 or the third extended file system is an extended version of ext2 and is a journaled file system.

What happens when we delete a file in LINUX and recovery options:
When we delete any file, the block pointers corresponding to the file are marked unused in the block bitmap and marks the inode as "deleted", leaving the block pointers alone. In case of ext3 file systems, the block pointer is filled with ZERO and it seems impossible to recover. However, the information can be recovered from the journal file. That is, every time a file is accessed, the access time is changed and its inode is written to the disk along with some odd 31 other inodes in the same block. In this situation, a copy of that particular block is written into a journal and the block pointer carrying information about the deleted files can be recovered from that journal. Hence, by using any LINUX recovery software, we can recover the deleted file, following recovering the information from the journal.

The most important thing to remember in case of LINUX data recovery is that any write action should be avoided in the particular partition/volume, where a delete action has been performed. Furthermore, you should not install operations like 'fdisk', as it can overwrite the deleted data from the partition.

These LINUX data recovery utilities are very scientific and are designed keeping the storage pattern of the file system in mind. Moreover, these LINUX data recovery software are very flexible in their operation, which leave no ground for procrastination and hence, quite usable for professionals as well as common non-technical users.

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How To Use VirtualBox To Run Virtual Machines

You can run an operating system within your operating system by using virtual machines. This might sound complicated but it is really easy with a program called VirtualBox which is free.

Download this program and make sure that it's working on your OS. Once installed open the program so that you can use it.

Set up a new machine by clicking New. This will take you through a series of prompts. You will name the machine and set up what type of system you are going to install. Next select how much ram and video card memory you will dedicate to the machine. Don't do more than half of what you have. Normally a gigabyte will be fine and of course this can be changed. You will also set up a new hard drive and name that. Don't do the fixed version.

Now that you have a machine set up you are going to need another OS. Many people download Linux ISO files for this purpose. You might have disks for a proprietary operating system that you can use as well.

Click on CD/DVD-ROM and select whether you are using your actual CD-ROM or using an ISO file on the computer.

Once this is done select the machine and click the Start button. The system is going to boot up. If it's a Linux distribution, it will boot up into the Live CD mode. If you want to install the operating system, do so like you normally would. Once this is done you can boot down the machine. Whenever you need to use that operating system, use VirtualBox to boot up and run that OS virtually. This can be done with just about any system that you have access to legally. Most people use it this way with Linux, but a legal copy of Windows will also work.

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Linux and Video Card Driver Issues

A complaint that many individuals have about Linux is its limited video card driver support base. Windows based systems when paired up against Linux, tend to operate slightly faster and more consistent under the same system specifications. So the general consensus is that, if this same device isn't operating as well under a Linux based system, then it must be the operating system. But the reality is that the issue is far more complex than we'd like to believe.

When graphics card manufacturers develop drivers for their devices, they have two possible options. They can either make the drivers open or closed. If they release open drivers, then it means, people can access the drivers, see the code and modify it to work better under their system. If the drivers they release are closed, then it essentially means that the manufacturers have initiated pre-defined settings, which are based on the assumption that you might be using a specific operating system or system specification.

Many developers out there program their device drivers to work solely for windows, and refuse to allow other operating system developer's access to the drivers so that they can port it over. The entire porting process would require little effort, because most of the work would be done by the Linux community. However, the reality is that most developers are unwilling to share this data.

So what's the solution for Linux, the reality is that there's no real solution to this problem. The only option is for Linux based users to go out and purchase graphics cards from manufacturers that release open sourced drivers for their devices; opening up their drivers to a much wider community, increasing their current market of possible buyers. If companies aren't interested in increasing their market-base then that's their issue.

Linux based systems have increased in popularity over the years, as a result, certain manufacturers have decided to open up their driver base to this market. In the not too distant future, I envision that most developers will tread the same path.

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3 Cool Things About Linux

One of the best things about Linux is that it's free. And not just free as in free beer. But really free as in being able to do what you want to do with the software. You can make copies of any Linux distribution and give it to your friends. You can't do that with any commercial operating system. You can actually try out the software, see if you like it, without spending any money at all. There's no licensing problems, no activization problems, no worries about losing your serial numbers, etc.

Most people don't even realize that there's an option. They suffer along thinking that this is the way computers are. They sometimes cause more problems than they are worth. We are led to believe that computers will somehow help us, but often times they end up slowing us down. But there is an option. It's called Linux.

Just about anyone can use Linux. If all you do is surf the Internet and check e-mail, then you could use Linux without much problem. The only people who might not want to switch to Linux are those who have to use specialized software that is only made for Windows or Mac. Even then, some Windows programs can be installed on Linux via a program called wine.

It's easy to install. If you are currently using Windows, the easiest way to test out Linux is by installing Wubi. Wubi allows you to install Linux with a single click. You don't have to download any software or be a computer expert. All you have to do is run the installer, decide on a password, then click install. The nice part about installing Linux this way is that it keeps your current Windows settings. You don't have to worry about losing your files or documents because Wubi installs Linux alongside Windows. You can test drive Linux without having to worry about losing your current setup. If you get lost in Linux, you can always run back to the safety of your Windows environment, get your bearings, and try again.

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Accomplishment Through the Linux Command Line

It is often stated that Linux/GNU is extremely difficult to learn. The perception is based on the early days of the operating system. Those were the days when all the powerful tools were executed from the command line. In fact, everything was done from the command prompt. Linux has retained the power derived from its Unix roots. Most of the early tools are still available. These utilities are frequently used and updated. In addition, the graphical interface competes head to head with any operating system. So, anyone can learn Linux. If you really want to get some work done while receiving a sense of accomplishment, try the command prompt.

This is not a tutorial on how to use the various tools. It is an introduction to some versatile shortcuts that are executed quickly from the command line. The difficulty might be in remembering the commands. The internet will quickly refresh the memory. A quick search will return pages of links giving specific commands and syntax for the job being tackled. It is not any more difficult than remembering how to use any one of the thousands of graphical applications. Documentation for the graphical application will be much longer and will require screen captures to fully explain usage. Instruction for the command line utility might be just one line of text. In addition, almost every utility will provide syntax and usage when entered in the form 'cat --help'.

The utilities to manipulate text from the command line are numerous. Most have been around as long as Unix. Much has been written about the 'cat' utility to display files to the screen. The results can be piped '|' through to another command to further manipulate the data. A list, for example, can be ordered alphabetically by running 'cat file_name|sort.' Two files might be appended into a new file through redirection, 'cat file_1 file_2 > file3 .'

Other quick utilities to manipulate text include 'uniq, fmt, cut, grep, cut, paste, join, head, tail.' More versatile tools might include 'sed, awk, perl' to really change and move text. A quick search of the web for 'Linux command text utilities' will provide more information.

The command line is not wholly about text manipulation. Directory cleanup can quickly be accomplished using utilities initiated from the command prompt. The versatile find utility can search for all mp3 or jpeg files. The results can be piped '|' to mv to relocate all similar files together in one directory.

There might be a need to search for files of a particular type and create an 'iso' image to burn to a dvd or cd. The whole process might be done on one line.

Almost every application written has a command line version in the Linux/GNU world. It is almost always quicker to accomplish a task from the command line for a skilled user. Such tasks as system and network monitoring, remote login using ssh and system backup become second nature with continued usage. It is an acquired skill that takes time to become comfortable.

The next time a job requires special procedures for completion and will be reused, try searching for a Linux command line solution. It may take a little while to work through the process the first time. The payoff will come every time the technique is utilized in the future.

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GIMP - The Best FREE Alternative to Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is undeniably the number one choice of professional photographers and image and design professionals when it comes to editing photos. It's a given that Photoshop will be the program they're using.

But while Photoshop is the top choice of professionals, it comes at a hefty price tag which leads many non-professional photographers to ask if they really NEED to use it.

While the answer to that question can really only be answered by each person individually, there is a serious alternative to Photoshop that should be concerned. GIMP, despite it's funny sounding name (which stands for the GNU Image Manipulation Program), is a powerful, full featured, open source photo editing program that can do a lot of what Photoshop can do.

If you're not familiar with Open Source software, it's fantastic stuff. Basically it comes from very talented people who donate their time and skills to create software alternatives that are available free of charge. GIMP is a great example of excellent Open Source software that delivers top notch performance.

Similar to Photoshop, GIMP has a customizable interface so that the user can set it up the way he or she chooses. GIMP modules can be organized, arranged, opened or closed, to accommodate the users workflow and their individual needs.

GIMP allows for a lot of automatic photo enhancements too. Often a click of a button can yield great results. Tools like the Clone Tool and the Healing Tool allow for advanced editing, similar to what you'll find in Photoshop.

Files can be saved in a full range of formats including TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PSD, and GIF. Files can also be saved in formats like zip to optimize hard drive space.

GIMP can be run on a range of platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

If you haven't tried GIMP, and you're debating about whether or not you need to purchase Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, give GIMP a try. It's a free download, so you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The GIMP community is big and very supportive. The software works great, and you may decide you don't need to spend the money on Photoshop after all!

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GoDaddy Linux Hosting - The OS Available When You Are Not Comfortable With Windows

When you choose GoDaddy for your web hosting services, you have three hosting plans to choose from. The company has the very basic Economy Plan targeted at individuals and a middle level account meant for small organizations known as the Deluxe plan. For larger organizations, there is the Ultimate plan which provides for very exclusive features such as unlimited space and bandwidth. Whatever hosting plan you choose, you could choose between Linux and Windows operating systems. Regardless of the operating system chosen, migration to another system in the future is possible and for this reason the OS chosen really depends on what you as a user is more comfortable with.

If you chose the Deluxe hosting plan, for example, and decided to use Linux as your operating system, you will be able to host countless account with a single account. This plan offers adequate storage of 150 GB and an unlimited monthly data bandwidth. Moreover, you are able to set up five hundred email accounts for which you are provided with 500 MB of storage space. Other benefits include 25 MySQL accounts with 1 GB space, an unlimited number of domains and subdomians.

The number of benefits varies from one hosting plan to another but all of them provide credits from some of the most useful service providers such as MySpace, Google AdWords and Facebook. The annual savings when all the amounts saved are consolidated are quite substantial.

Whether you choose Windows or Linux as your operating system, you are guaranteed of GoDaddy 24/7 customer support as well as the company's promise of a money back guarantee should things go wrong. Moreover, GoDaddy services and products are available at huge discounts which make them very affordable. To take full advantage of the various discounts and offers, it would help to obtain GoDaddy discount coupons which are also available online.

GoDaddy Linux hosting is an option available for both new and old subscribers who also have the option of a Windows OS.

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Linux Mint KDE - Is This a Good KDE Distribution?

Linux Mint KDE is another quality KDE distribution that you can choose from. It's actually based on Ubuntu which will still give you access to those repositories giving you easy access to installing software that you need. It's what's called a community edition meaning that volunteers actually put this distribution together. Generally it's a version behind the main version of Mint but still has everything you need.

Linux Mint KDE has a basic desktop that is already customized. It's comes with a fresh blue look to it with the default KDE grey title bars. It's set up quite a bit like Windows with the "start" button the bottom left, a basic taskbar, notification icons, and a clock. It's your standard KDE layout for those who know what this look like.

It uses the new KDE 4 with the plasma desktop. If you are using the KDE edition of Mint, then you probably love the new plasma and don't mind the extra resources that this uses over the old KDE 3. There are many who are split on the differences between the two but users have gradually accepted version four's changes.

Some wonder why to use Mint's KDE edition over something like Kubuntu since both are based on Ubuntu. Linux Mint comes with proprietary drivers installed to play music, dvd, flash, and java. These do not have to be installed by you at all unlike Kubuntu. By default it also uses Firefox and Thunderbird instead of the traditional KDE browser and mail programs. Mint also has some features like MintInstall and MintUpdate. These will help you get new applications installed and updated really easily.

If you don't like the KDE edition, there are also Fluxbox, XFCE, and Gnome editions of Mint to try out as well as other distributions that use KDE.

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OpenSolaris governing board resigns, Illumos, Mandriva 2010.1 "Xfce Live", Ubuntu 10.10 proposed wallpaper

The Ubuntu project has always been able to create hotly-debated controversies out of rather insignificant decisions. Nudity in its artwork, window button placements, unusual interface changes, the list goes on. Whether this is intentional or just the way things develop over there, we'll let our readers to decide. The latest Ubuntu "gaffe" is the proposed default wallpaper in the upcoming release, version 10.10. Here is an amusing list of quotes of those who have expressed their opinion on the subject: "This is like 'Chuck Norris fart on my screen, and i can't clean it.' ... 'Never commented before despite reading religiously, this was just TOO ugly to dignify with mental distaste, it had to be made public.' ... 'Looks like I was eating a burrito over the 10.04 one and some hot sauce dripped.' ... 'I've seen many bad things in my life and it hurts me to say this, but this is in that list.' ... 'Worst wallpaper in the existence of the universe. This has to be a joke!' ... 'All this talk about paper cuts, and the face of OS for newbies, first of all, looks like a piece of crap.'" For the sake of our readers' well-being we won't reproduce the proposed wallpaper here, but if you really must see it, feel free to click on either of the above two links.

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Linux - Eminent Choice Or Not?

Linux has been something like monotony nowadays. Its fame makes it being the talk of the town - various Linux downloads, Linux programs, etc... And what's great about this is - it's all for free! However, free programs or software would always come to an end due to the rising number of users as well as the demands them constantly plea. There will really come a time that some of them will be priced just right for its effectiveness and usage. But that won't tremble any of the existing and satisfied users of Linux because they already know how great it is to use such system.

Most of today's Linux subscribers were actually using other operating systems and decided to transfer to Linux because of some annoying experiences. You can almost hear their murmurs whenever they talk about their previous systems. A complaint from a lady in her workplace have been heard telling that she got all fed up and totally annoyed with her current operating system and thinks of migrating to Linux. No worries at all because I think it's just so easy to do it. Another thing is, switching to Linux can be very fast for her since she's not using the software

herself.

Beforehand, switching to Linux will require you to take a closer look around your software as well as to make some research about this new operating system. You should be aware of the software that are compatible with this new OS. Will your software run faster, or will be more user-friendly and effective once you transfer to this new system? Consider the advantages and disadvantages before you finally decide.

A large number of Linux software usually comes for free. And yes, they are indeed FREE! But are that free software doesn't bother you at all? A colleague once mentioned that the more 'free' a software becomes, the more it is prone to get affected by some malicious programs. So before planning to use Linux, better watch out for these unwanted possibilities.

Another thing to consider is the commands that Linux has. Since it is new, there's a possibility that some of its commands are different from your old OS. You have to get familiar with it first and then see to it that it has some sort of a familiar environment with your previous operating system. In that way, you won't be caught something like grasping for breath because you have experienced a shock after suddenly switching to something you aren't familiar with yet. So, it would be better to check everything out in order to get all things done - safely.

Anyhow, if you think you are ready enough to switch and try something new, then better opt for something that have positive feedbacks. Try to look at the bright side of your choice. Don't worry too much about some adverse comments, for as long as you know that you, yourself can handle any problems that may occur (we could never really get rid of any unexpected failures). Consider the point that Linux has been very congenial to its users and is very friendly to the budget too. You won't have to fret since some of its software are still offered for free (to download and to use as well).

I guess, the best thing to do primordially is to seek for valuable inputs about the Linux OS. Search and read a lot of reviews. Visit those sites that have favorable recommendations as well as some critics about this new operating system. Check out for software compatibilities and make sure that you've done checking the list of important software that you have - of which ones are and are not compatible with Linux. Better be ready before deciding to make a shift.

To finish this off, it will make sense to weigh all the odds and to consider the possibilities first before deciding to switch for Linux. A dissatisfied OS user (of another system) may opt for Linux to try its proficiency and effectiveness. He may go through a lot of new commands to learn and get familiar with, yet the important thing is, he is happy and comfortable with his choice. Well, the bottom lines for this is - if you are already fed up with what you currently have and is already annoyed of its performance, then why stick to that when you have greater options to choose from? So to speak, Linux may have been waiting for you all along.

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Web Hosting - Windows Or Linux?

While choosing Web Hosting for a website, one of the first questions that need to be answered is the choice of operating system of the server. While there are lots of operating systems, for web server there are 2 dominant operating systems - Windows and Linux. These two web hosting operating systems are most popular and widespread. Almost all web site hosting companies gives option for these 2 operating systems.

Each of these platforms is good and has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Linux is an open source platform while Windows is not. Each has its share of fan base and an equally strong number of dissidents.

The choice between these two platforms needs to be taken by evaluating your needs and not your sentiments. Here are some points you need to consider before making a decision regarding Web Hosting platform.

1) On what platform is your web application developed on: This is one of the primary questions. If your web application/site is has been developed in.Net or other Microsoft technology then it will mean that you will need to have a windows web hosting. While some technologies can run on both operating systems, sometime the platform of the application will bound you to choose the same platform for web hosting. Many websites use database. If you are using MS SQL Server then also windows server is essential.

So this decision has to be made even before the application has been written, otherwise migration a site can be a big big headache!

2) Security: An e-commerce website needs to be absolutely secure. In fact any application which stores information and crucial personal or financial details needs to be well protected. Linux is perceived to be more secure than windows web hosting. Windows have many well known security vulnerabilities (though fixed promptly) which are exploited regularly by hackers and viruses. But it has been observed that a server is only as secure as how well the administrator is. A Windows server is secure in the hands of a proactive and knowledgeable administrator.

3) Cost: Linux servers are cheaper than windows server because is Linux is free. Even though Linux is cheaper it doesn't mean that it is any less than a windows server. Windows on the other hand has to be paid for. This means additional costs. The price difference for an end user website owner though is not very significant. The slight difference in the cost doesn't tilt the balance in Linux's favor by a big margin.

4) Learning Curve: Linux operating system has a steep learning curve. For a person who works on a desktop operating system, learning Linux can be an absolute nightmare. But if you choose a Linux web hosting then you need not worry about it. This is because there will be web based applications that will allow you to interface with the server seamlessly. You will be able to do almost jobs like FTP, database administration etc. using these application.

As you may have observed, there are no clear winners in this eternal battle between two mighty foes. The only key differentiator is the platform of the application. Other than that your personal preference will drive your selection.

Regardless of which hosting platform you decide, what really matters is that you choose only a well known, reputable, and reliable web hosting company with least possible downtime, good bandwidth and prompt support.

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