Wireless
communication helped by
Linux
Wireless communication is one aspect
of modern computing that is having perhaps the biggest impact
on the largest number of computer users. WiFi networks,
mobile broadband, and publicly available wireless hot spots
have all becoming normal parts of Internet behavior for the
current generation of computer users. Wireless networks
have been accepted so quickly by the public because they are
able to provide a level of flexibility and convenience that the
available wired solutions could not. To a general public
already accustomed to the wireless nature of mobile telephony,
wireless Internet communication has become the next step in the
evolution of online communications. Wireless networks can
be accessed by the entire range of computers and operating
systems on the market, including Linux, the popular
alternative choice for a number of computer users around
the world.
Linux is a powerful and flexible operating
system that is distributed in a number of independent software
packages. While the Linux code itself is open source and
freely available to users and developers, the distributed
packages themselves vary in price and availability of
features. Some packages are totally free and developed by
a community of volunteers, while others are commercially put
together but may still have a volunteer component. All of
the popular Linux packages include wireless support, because
this is one of the key features wanted by the majority of
computer users. The extensibility of this support varies
from package to package, with the most popular current choices
being GNOME, Ubunto, and KDE.
Because a large part of the Linux world
is based around volunteer endeavors and selfless support by
users, a loyal and dedicated community has galvanised around
certain distributions as well as the entire Linux system.
There are a number of Linux gifts that can be brought for these
dedicated fans, as well as many Linux books (Linux Bücher) that have been released to
help maintain and support the community. The numbers
of people using Linux operating systems is growing every
year, as Linux distributions continue to focus on mobile lap
tops and desktop applications, along with their traditional
role as the system of choice in communications
servers. This history in server environments however,
is one of the factors that is making desktop Linux packages
so perfect for the new and wireless age of computer
networking.
While not originally designed to be a
portable system, Linux is now one of the most widely ported
operating system kernels around, and is able to run on a wide
range of systems - from small handheld computers to
supercomputers. Its implementation in many modern netbook
computers - often used as wireless communication nodes - is one
of the factors responsible for its current popularity. As
the popularity and exposure of Linux continues to rise, we are
sure to see much more Linux merchandise marketed to the growing
numbers of loyal Linux users and
supporters.
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