An OS, or Operating System as it is more technically known is a software application required by every computer to work.It is the system that interfaces with the end user and it accepts commands from the user, translates it and gets the various software( or in some cases, directly the hardware) to “do their job”.

As the OS is the interface that the user needs to communicate with the end user, it must be easy to understand,user- friendly; that two most importantly.It should also ideally be multimedia-friendly and must be quite stable so as not to “hang” often.We have compared two of today’s leading OS s, Linux and Windows.

RedHat Linux 7.1

Linux is an OS that originated from Linus Torvalds, tracing its roots back to MINIX and UNIX.A few years back, Torvalds posted a free version of Linux on the Net so as other programmers may improve on it..The Linux software that we chose is the Redhat Linux 7.1. Linux 7.1 is basically for home user usage, but it also contains the necessary programs to run a workstation and even a server.Features of the Linux OS we mentioned are tested 2.4 kernel, stateful firewall, Xfree86 4.0.3. improved 3D graphics and a better USB support for popular pluggable devices.It comes in handy to the higher-end developer as it also boasts Web, mail, ftp, print server, supports multiple programming languages such as C,C++,FORTRAN,Tcl,Perl and so on.For the technical person, below is the list of items included in the Linux 7.1 by RedHat package:

The pros of Linux :

More control

More inclined towards programming

More stable

More reliable

Requires less disk space

The cons of Linux:

Less GUI

Less power

Less accessibility

No easy links to other software like word processors(e.g Microsoft Office)

Very complex Internet browsing

Not designed for the normal average computer user.

As stated, Linux is very less GUI as compared to Windows.However it is also noted that Linux is trying to gain market, and thus has to adapt itself to the more efficiently GUI OS such as Mac OS and Windows.Linux is also more flexible in the sense that compared to Windows, it adapts and is able to operate from a larger variety of computers.

Windows XP

Windows XP is Microsoft’s latest offering to the home user (as well as the high-end server administrators).It boasts a variety of new , exciting features, such as: enhanced sound, enhanced video compatibility, greater speed of Internet support, powerful Internet cruising, hand-in hand with the new Internet Explorer 6.0, better, user- friendly interface and not to mention, less bugs.

The pros of Windows:

Very GUI(graphical user interface)

Easy to use, with easy to follow steps, like drag and drop tools

Better Internet surfing, Webmail and other World Wide Web applications.

Compatible with Plug and Play

Compatible with many games software and multimedia features

The cons of Windows:

A few bugs

System is less stable

Requires a lot of memory space

Less control

Less flexible as compared to Linux

Not very good OS to do programming with

My recommendation: Windows XP

Even with its few glitches, and what not, Windows proves to be a better platform to run graphics from.And through the usage of software like J++, Turbo C++ and other programming software, the question of Windows ability to adapt to programming and software engineering does not arise anymore.Also, the user may opt to use say, Telnet for running softwares.There is, however, little that can be done by the user to amend the weaknesses of Linux. Thus at this point of time, our group recommends Windows as the OS system for the configuration.As one of my friends said: Windows gives you value for your money :)

Computer Viruses

The featured virus this time round is one called backdoor orifice.For those of you already infected with this virus...you should know what damage it can do :P. However do bear in mind that the use of viruses for destruction of PCs is an offence .I have a few variations of this virus zipped up in a Winzip file .Handle with care or face the shmuck ! Enjoy .Note: I have taken down this virus since it is now a federal crime to post this virus.However if you still are interested, you are welcome to email me

Download/now defunct link

Another interesting thingy that I came to realize you can actually do with HTML.You can make a PC hang! Serious.Just copy this .doc file and change the .doc to a .htm .Call the file and view results

Note: This will not damage your computer, when it hangs simply restart.:P It isn't an offence to post HTML codes:P

Download here 92 bytes

IRC tip of the day

There's a new irritating spoof going around here....it disguises itself as zipped video files.I got duped once....the file for mine was some wedding "here-comes-the-bride.mpg" .What I did not notice was that behind the ..mpg, there was a teeny .exe that can't be seen from out there!Here's what it does.It runs a fake mIRC whenever you go online and uses your IP, and causes DALNet or any other SPs that are smart enough to detect you are masking, and will autokill you.Honestly, I did not guess what happened ! If you have been hit by the same spoof or know of anybody who has been hit...simply follow the steps below to eliminate it.Seriously kudos to the programmer.He/she/it did a good job in making me run up and down searching for the bug.

Steps to destroy it

Simply identify HOW MANY of such programs you let loose in your computer.Go to My PC and look for the file(s) you downloaded.Delete it all.Next, eliminate the .exe you left running.You will have search thoroughly coz it hides itself.In my case, it was tucked in my System files and had another copy in my Windows log. Delete any alien folder in your PC. Mine was called "Borg" .Next, go to the Windows file and reveal all hidden files.You should see another "Borg" folder here.Delete it.Restart your computer.I would advise you to run a disk cleanup and defrag