Video Cards

For most people the on board video is enough for everyday usage but sometimes you need something more for playing high end games or doing graphic editing and movie producing. Which video card is best for you really depends on you and your budget I suggest you get the best you can afford some features to look at when shopping are 3D, memory the faster the better, crossfire or the ability to work 2 video cards together. Allot of the times when you upgrade your video card it may require you to upgrade your power supply and add a couple extra fans to the case if you can. 

Linus whats the hype?

Allot of people by a computer and run the operating system that come with it. But there are other options out there and some are free and easy to use. Linux Ubuntu is one of them. I have an older computer that was designed to run XP and I wanted to do something different so I loaded Ubuntu on it to give it a try.I found it was a big improvement over the version of Red Hat I tried so many years ago. It was easy to install ran real smooth and detected and installed all the right drivers for the computer. Installing application was as easy as looking through an app store like interface and install the apps you want for free. so if you have an older computer and are at least a little computer savvy give Ubuntu at try down load it at www.umbutu.com

Hard drives SSD and platter drives

There are allot of options now with hard disk drives( HDD ) now you have to decide between sizes, brands, connection type, and Now Solid State drives (SSD), hybrid drives and platter drives. So where do you start? Well ideally  you would want a SSD for your Operating system and most often used programs. What size SSD depends on what programs you use most often but I would start with about a 120gb. The problem with SSD's a 120gb start at about $130 and go up from there, when you include the cost of a data drive 2TB at about $100. the next option is a hybrid HDD this a standard HDD with with 64mb cache built in this is a performance increase  over  standard HDD but it cost almost as much as the SSD option so I would suggest a standard HDD if you cant afford the SSD option. as far as brands go I recommend Seagate for HDD's and Intel for SSD's.

Computer Hardware - Processors

So I have worked in the computer industry for many years and when I was doing something else I still made it a habit to keep up with whats going on in the computer world. When your looking into buying or building a new computer the most important part is the processor. in my opinion bigger and faster is better. When your shopping go for the best processor you can afford currently I recommend the Intel i5 and Intel i7. Other parts are easier to upgrade in the future than the processor.check out the full line of Intel 2nd gen processors I am quite impressed by them at www.intel.com

Understanding Open Source Software: What It Is and How to Find It

Open source software (OSS) represents a revolutionary approach to developing and distributing software, characterized by collaboration, transparency, and accessibility. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what open source software is, its benefits, and practical guidance on how to find reliable open source programs.

What is Open Source Software?

Definition

Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. "Source code" is the part of software that most computer users don't ever see; it's the code computer programmers manipulate to change how a piece of software—a "program" or "application"—works. Programmers who have access to a computer program's source code can improve that program by adding features to it or fixing parts that don't always work correctly.

Key Characteristics

Accessibility: The source code is available to the public for use and modification.

Freedom: Users have the freedom to modify and distribute their versions of the program. There are generally few restrictions on how the software can be used.

Community: Development is often driven by an active community which collaborates on projects.

Transparency: With open access to the source code, users can verify the security and stability of the software themselves.

Licensing

Open source licenses affect how the software can be used, modified, and shared. Common licenses include the GNU General Public License (GPL), Apache License, and MIT License, each with its specific conditions and freedoms.

Benefits of Open Source Software

Cost: Most open source software is free to use, reducing the cost barriers for individuals and businesses.

Flexibility and Freedom: Users can modify the software to meet their specific needs.

Security: With many eyes scrutinizing the code, security vulnerabilities are more likely to be discovered and fixed quickly.

Quality: Collaborative input from a diverse range of developers can enhance the quality and innovation of the software.

Support: Strong community support and extensive documentation can help in troubleshooting and improving the software.

How to Find Open Source Software

1. Official Directories

GitHub: Perhaps the largest and most popular host of source code, GitHub offers countless open source projects.

SourceForge: One of the early platforms for open source projects, providing a variety of tools and hosting services.

GitLab: Similar to GitHub, but with integrated CI/CD tools, making it ideal for DevOps.

2. Specific Open Source Software Websites

Apache Software Foundation: Hosts a variety of enterprise-grade projects under the Apache License.

The Linux Foundation: Provides a home for Linux and many other high-impact open source projects.

3. Search Engines

Regular search engines can also be used to find open source software. Simply including "open source" in your search query can lead to relevant results.

4. Social Media and Forums

Online communities like Reddit’s r/opensource or specialized forums such as Stack Exchange can provide recommendations and reviews from actual users.

5. Open Source Software Lists and Reviews

Websites like Open Source For You or FOSSBytes regularly publish articles, lists, and reviews of open source software.

Conclusion

Open source software offers numerous advantages from cost savings to enhanced security and community support. Whether you are a developer looking to contribute to a project, or a business seeking flexible software solutions, or even a student eager to learn coding, the open world of OSS offers limitless opportunities. With the resources outlined above, finding and utilizing open source software has never been easier. Embrace the open source movement and discover how transformative it can be for your personal or organizational software needs.

Office for Free...

So you want to do excel, word and power point but don't have the extra cash to by buy Microsoft Office so what do you do? well take a look at Open Office its a great open source program that does most of the same things for free. There is also LibreOffice another open source office solution. Enjoy and have fun.

Cool Tools

Now for some of the cool tools I use to get around forgotten password virus infections and computer that will not boot into windows properly. first check out Hiren's boot CD you'll have to find this one on your own.  if you dont know how to use it dont download it. Now here is something everyone can use Advanced System Care.