OS2 Ports – An Open Source Software Portal

Open Source Operating Systems To Know

OS2 Ports

April 13, 2020

There are different types of operating systems to install on your computer like Windows OS or Mac OS. The Windows operating systems is popular one but it might not be used by everyone. You can find better alternatives of good and free open source operating systems. Let’s look at the different types of free open source operating systems.

Top Open Source Operating Systems

SteamOS

This is a Debian based operating system of Linux. It was launched in the year 2013 in the December month. It was actually made to enable video games to play away from the personal computers. It supports Mac, Linux, and also Windows. It allows the diversions to be streamed to the computers of SteamOS. The individuals can also access the desktop environment of GNOME for doing other works other than playing the games. It also enables the users to access music and film from the store of steam.

Ubuntu

It is the open source operating system which belongs to the family of Linux and is Debian based OS. You can run it on mobiles and desktops or utilize it to power the devices of loT. This operating system evolution is based on developers’ global community of voluntary work. The Ubuntu software center consists of applications and games which are not pre-installed in the operating system. It offers great security with a built-in virus protection software and firewall. Due to theses security features many web based companies that are vulnerable to malicious attacks employ this os. Web based companies in the finance, health, and adult space are often targets and so secure operating systems are valuable. For example, an escort review site like skipthegames.com utilizes the security features of this operating system in order to protect against the inherent vulnerabilities that arise due the nature of the grey area that this web based business operates in. It also has a lightweight version known as Lubuntu.

Solus

It is an operating system of Linux based which is an open source OS. It comes pre- installed with the highlights like Mozilla thunderbird email, digital content streaming device, GNOME MPV, and Mozilla Firefox web browser. It also consists of creativity suites like music production apps, graphic design with GIMP, and animation software synfig studio. In the software center, there are also extra application located in it.

ReactOS

It is a lightweight and community depending open source operating system. It was launched in the year 1998 which has been built from the scratch. It feels and looks like windows and can be able to run software of windows and is the best for the one who need an alternative of Windows. This is best suitable for the one who want experience of open source or the one who want a user interface which is customizable.

TrueOS

It is operating system of Unix like which is an open source and free operating system. This operating system is said to offer enhanced protection over the rivals and the advanced highlights like encryption of GELI disk level for keeping your crucial information safe and secure. The tool of management offers a route to maintain all the machine aspects involves software management, users, backups, boot environments, and updates etc. The tools offer a way of maintaining your cloud-based systems or desktop, or manage your server.

FreeDOS

It offers the environment to be like DOS operating system and it is free open source OS. It runs games of DOS, develop embedded systems, and legacy business software. The set up of this operating system is easier from a disk drive or USB. It enables you to edit freeDOS source code and view it under the license of general public. It enables you in sharing files from the location and on any Linux device.

Haiku

It is also an open source operating system. It is aimed at personal computing which is growing in the recent days. It is efficient, simple to use, and designed to be fast. Different elements of the operating system can be grown at the same time as OS entire modern design is developed. This can be utilized to do web browsing, reading emails, listening to music, watching videos, and writing.

OpenSUSE

It consists of server environment and is a Linux based venture. It possesses open source software tools range which is targeted at system administrators and developers. This is the current version but tumbleweed is going to be a release version which is rolling. It consists of the devices which includes this OS with snapper, open build service, and openQA.

Elementary OS

It is the best alternative for windows and MacOS. It is claimed as the safe and secure information and it will not collect any personal information. It comes with a pre-installed application for using everyday incorporating music, file, and photos app.

FreeBSD

It supports many of the web browsers and it is a functional free open source operating system. It also supports network servers, office suites, and email readers. FreeBSD is derived from UNIX strain called BSD. The objective of this OS is offering a stable operating system that can be utilized for any reasons. It can be installed from a CD ROM and it is free to utilize.

Chrome OS

It is mainly used in the google chrome and it is based on Linux kernel. It primarily host applications of web as it is a cloud-based browser. It was actually developed under the project of open source chromium OS. This operating system’s code is only supported by the Google. The web store offers various kinds of applications but it is only free on Nexus device and Chromebook.

Xubuntu

It is an open source operating system which is Unix based and it runs on the environment of lightweight and XFCE desktop. It is a full highlighted competing operating system compared with other OS’s. This is genuine OS for reutilizing the XP machine of Windows.

Linux Mint

It is a prominent, Linux based, and open source operating system which are based on Ubuntu and Debian. This operating system works similar like Mac OS or Windows.

Fedora

Fedora is an open source and Linux based operating system. It is targeted at the varying level of developers. It has upgraded its version to new one after the release in 2003. It consists of the highlights like tools of open source used in every day basis.

Debian

It is an open source and Unix based operating system which originated from the project of Debian. It is actually based on the FreeBSD kernel and Linux. It offers access ability to repositories online for over fifty-one thousand packages.

Thus, these are some of the best and top open source and free operating systems.…

Open Vs. Closed Source Operating Systems

OS2 Ports

June 22, 2020

All computers and computer-like devices run on OS or Operating systems. These are extremely powerful and usually large programs that form the interface between the User and the device hardware, to control and manage the complete Hardware and Software on the device. Computer-like devices which require OS are, at present, Desktops, Laptops, Tablets, Smart Phones, Phablets, Smart Watches and Routers. OS are generally classified on whether they are Open or Closed Source. This is based on the implementation or development of the Source Code. OSS (Open Source Software) by definition means that the Code is free, and due to its openness, it is amenable to constant improvement, updating and expansion by the general User. CSS (Close Source Software) reverses the policy of openness, and stresses the proprietary nature of the Code. The Code is thus safe-guarded against intrusion, alteration, copying or any other unauthorized interference. The choice, therefore, of open or closed source operating systems, often decides the true nature of the OS rather than any other single operational feature. Security is probably the most important factor to consider. For a local sites like Fayetteville Skipthegames the idea of on open source system may seem less attractive as they have been known to receive ddos attacks. However, as you will see their are pros, cons and trade offs that come with different OS’s.

Open Source Systems

Open Source Operating Systems are available to any User, and is freely distributed. It can be used for personalized or even commercial systems, such as, the world of Advertising and Marketing. While these OSSs are deemed free, some charges like for service, additional specialized software and applications are sometimes charged to convert the OSS into a tool. Otherwise OSSs are given unrestricted usage and Users can independently alter the OSS as they chose. This allows room for continuous development and updating, which are often incorporated into the original OSS.

Closed Source Systems

CSSs use closely guarded codes which are generally kept secret from unauthorized Users, because they are proprietary. Only the original authors of the CSSs are allowed to alter the original software.

OSS Vs CSS

Cost: OSS is definitely much lower in cost than CSS, but it not free. Extras like Assistance and additional services, Man-power training and annual maintenance can add up to a tidy sum at the end of the day. But CSS, being fully paid is pre-customized, and generally comes complete with full support, and innovation.
Penetration of SC: CSS does not allow SC penetration by unauthorized Users. This allows greater security and reliability, unlike OSS. But OSS developers can improve existing programs more easily.
Service and Support: This is obviously better for CSS because it is provided by the source itself. OSS depends on forums, useful articles and hired experts for support.
Innovation: OSS is at its best here and leaves CSS far behind, by using the vast public as its brainstorming source.

Main Examples

Apple iOS and Mac are already so well known, as a CSS, that it needs no further description. Similarly, Google Android is an OSS that has been adopted by the majority of the smart phones worldwide as have some of the latest TVs. Its parent, Linux, is universally known as the flag bearer of OSS. Thus, in the battle of Open Vs Closed Source Operating Systems, there are no clear winners yet.…

History of Operating Systems

OS2 Ports

April 30, 2019

When you think of a company that dominated and still dominating the operating system market, Microsoft comes to your mind. if you think about the share, the Windows operating system still holds more than 80 percent in the operating system market. More than 90 percent of the desktops are run by windows. When it comes to mobile and tablet operating systems, iOS leads the market. But If you consider today’s operating system on smart devices, you should take Android’s name.

1950’s operating systems

GM-NAA I/O is considered as the first operating system. This was mainly designed for the IBM machine in the year 1956. This was a batch processing system. These are some of the bespoke applications which are particularly designed for fulfilling specific needs.

1960’s operating systems

By this time, IBM started visioning about the general or single operating system. It was OS/360 which was running on their machines. Rather than utilizing different operating systems, they started utilizing OS/360 for all system 360 machines. This was the time when multiprogramming was developed. The concept of storing instruction in memory and processor was also introduced.

1970’s operating systems

Even at this time, computers were nothing but mainframe type like the ones in previous decades. But they developed LAN and TCPIP by this time and operating systems in this decade were multi-mode and time-sharing systems. They even started supporting real-time applications.

1980’s operating systems

This was the turning point when personal computers were developed. They slowly took over mainframes. But, even at this point, personal computers were very expensive even though they were highly powerful. It is the same decade when Microsoft entered this operating system market.

There was a demand to design an operating system mainly for IBM PC. They used an existing operating system as a template and that was by Seattle Computer Products. From this time, Microsoft started dominating the market. Later they started developing a graphical user interface as well for DOS and this was called Windows. This is the decade when users completely accepted Windows one and two.

1990’s operating systems

In this decade, Windows 95 has been introduced. It was the time when the World Wide Web and the internet. These technological advancements made a high impact on computing and they changed the needs of the user. Internet Explorer 1 was introduced by Windows 95 and this answered most of the needs of the users.

Till Date

After the 90s there were tremendous enhancements in computer technology and after many versions today we are using Windows 10. There were many operating systems that came in between and even today companies are releasing a new operating system to match upgraded technological advancements. Today, none of the operating systems are confined to one single system. The release of mobile devices, tablets, and especially smartphones demanded more and more flexible operating systems.

Today computing is happening even on mobile devices. Ease of synchronization and interconnectivity were two things that are demanded by today’s systems. The needs of the users are changing on a daily basis and there are changes happening according to that. There are many operating systems released which are open source. So, anyone can make changes to them and add their own features.

Advancements In devices and operating system

Today a person may own a tablet, a laptop, and a smartphone. He will be using one operating system on a tablet, one for laptop, and another for his smartphone. Along with Microsoft, there are many other companies like Apple have also evolved in terms of releasing operating systems. But when it comes to laptop and desktop the most used operating system is Windows. On the other hand, in smartphones, you can see the Android operating system. This is the most used operating system today and suitable for all kinds of Smartphones.

Operating systems were started by 50s and from then they have seen tremendous improvements. Today, it is impossible to compare today’s operating systems with batch processing systems. There are significant changes and users are very comfortable with the operating systems which are present on their smartphones today.

Final Thoughts

Along with the technological advancements that happened in these decades, even operating systems had evolved accordingly. The development of the operating system always helped the new devices and their needs. Even today, the operating system is released according to the release of new devices.

Today’s operating systems are highly flexible and they run on any type of smartphones and devices. There are many types of operating systems for smartphones but the most used one is Android and it runs on almost all types of smartphones. There are unbelievable changes that happened in the evolution of operating systems and today’s operating system runs on even the smallest devices on this planet. The operating system is the bridge between hardware and software and without an operating system, it is impossible to run a device. A device transforms from hardware to smart devices just because of the installed operating system.…