Linux for Kenyans – Update

AVAILABLE LINUX/UNIX DISTRIBUTIONS

Contact
E-mail: shekeine@yahoo.com
TEL: +254 (0)720 851941

DVD Editions

Linux Fedora 10
Linux Mandriva 2009.0, 2008 .1
Ubuntu Ultimate Edition 1.8
OpenSUSE Linux 11.1
PC-BSD (UNIX) 7.02
Debian OS (inclusive of all Debian repositories)

CD Editions

Linux Fedora 10 (KDE)
Linux Fedora 10 (GNOME)
Linux Ubuntu 8.10, 8.04
OpenSUSE Linux 11.1
Open Solaris 8.11 (UNIX)
Linux Mandriva 2009.0, 2008.1
ZENWalk Live 5.0
PC Linux OS 2008 Version2
eAR Media Centre
Puppy Linux 4.12
Gentoo Linux 2008.0
GOS 3.0
Knoppix 6.0

PRICING
Any Linux/UNIX DVD; KSH 3000
Any Linux/UNIX CD; KSH 700

Contacts
E-mail: shekeine@yahoo.com
TEL: +254 (0)720 851941

Linux and Us Kenyans – Part II

Guest blogged by John Kimwai (shekeine@yahoo.com)

Hi everyone, thanx to MwendaNET the Linux movement now has a front from which to battle the curse of Windows (excuse me).

Some of the obstacles to the spread of Linux, even as seen from comments on MwendaNET are;

1) Most of us are still holding on to ancient Linux distros whose operation may involve extensive use of command line tools made necessary by the need to install software from external sources.

2) Some of these older versions of Linux distros lack inbult driver software for most of the modern hardware components such as 3G modems, printers,etc. In most cases they need to go online to download the respective drivers or get them yourself and compile, install them (using one of those command line interfaces).

3) On multimedia support, some Linux distros such as Ubuntu do not ship with proprietary codecs, so you might need to download and install them ,or on being prompted let the system get and install from the Internet.

Basically, most of us don’t seem to be in the know that there are Linux DVDs aside from the CDs. The DVDs come  heavily loaded with more than what you would need (whether the computer in question is a server, client or for an individual desktop user).

Current Linux distros (my favourite being Linux Mandriva) come with excellent hardware support and applications(totalling to 4.3GB) to enable one do amazing things. Read on for the low down.

1) Manage your Nokia phone as ypu do with Nokia PC Suite.

2) The generous and merciful Mandriva Linux community thought it human to have a Linux antivirus for Windows in both the 2008.1 and 2009.0 DVD versions. This means you can scan your Windows PC from Linux, the antivirus in use here is actually clam av. This means you can clean your Windows PC of viruses and other malware as they lie there inert(under a Linux environment). How cool is that?

3) The 2009/2008 version also features OpenOffice 3, Mozilla 3.03, kde 4 (a Linux graphical manager), DVD burning software, pdf reader, media players (including vlc) packed with all codecs which guarantees support for any media files, function based widgets and panels on the desktop, torrent downloaders, plus universal hardware support for any computer and peripherals such as printer/scanner/bluetooth/tv card/infrared, the list is endless. In summary software to enable you do anything.

4) Furthermore, you  dont need to know any funny commands to manage your system, all operations (software un/installation, application launching and management, hardware and network management are all GUI based, intergrated within the graphical managers such as gnome,kde,xfce etc). The display, windows organisation, multiple desktop/workspace features, widgets, 3D desktop effects are the most I have ever seen. For your information just Google “mandriva 2008.1 or 2009.0 features”.

Oh and for anyone familiar with the concept of virtual machines, Linux Mandriva allows you to install Windows within it, as a program, then install your Windows stuff in it. All this is handled by a program known as virtual box, and we talked about the Mandriva system coming with clam av for Windows, put 2 and 2 together!! Go figure!

Currently this is what I have in my collection;

a) Linux Mandriva DVD 2008.1 edition (4.3GB) for x64_86 platforms, 64-bit computers @ KES. 2,500/-
b) Linux Mandriva 2008.1 Live CD (700MB) for all platforms both 64-bit and 32-bit computers @ KES. 700/-
c) Ubuntu Linux 8.04 (700MB) @ KES. 700/-
d) Linux Mandriva 2009.0 DVD Edition for x64_86 platforms, 64-bit computers @ KES. 3000/- (now readily available)
e) Linux Mandriva 2009.0 Live CD Edition (700MB) for all platforms, both 64-bit and 32-bit computers @ KES. 1000/-

Also in stock are the following;

1) Linux Mandriva 2007 DVD (for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms)

2) PCLinux OS (tiny me) for 32-bit and 64-bit platforms), superlight weight (only 190MB) which can be loaded into RAM and the OS runs from there. Basic resources, Opera browser, audio player, photo viewer, excellent graphics, best distro for a quick “What is Linux” demonstration, one can install all the stuff they want and then remaster the system i.e create an installable CD with the installed applications already therein.

3) Zenlive 5 (32-bit and 64-bit platforms), another lightweight Linux CD but with much more than PCLinux OS (tinyme). It includes browsers, DVD/CD burners, an Office suite, pdf reader, media players, basic hardware support etc.

4) Ubuntu 8.10(64-bit platform)

5) Mandriva 2008.1 CD (for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms)

6) Mandriva 2009.0 CD (for both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms)

7) Zencafe Linux, the perfect solution for cybercafes. This is an operating system specifically tailored to provide and manage services(for the client and server machine respectively),efficient accounting system, maximum security, efficient deployment of services, and excellent network adminstration at the servers end.

Please note

a) The DVDs and CDs come packaged and labelled accordingly.
b) The distributions also come along with proper documentation, help files, software guides and “how to” files on a separate CD (in pdf format) to enable you navigate through and master the entire content.

My contacts,

John Kimwai,
Tel: 0720-851941,
E-mail: shekeine@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 536 Egerton University,
Njoro, Kenya.