This software automates the configuration of machines to a particular state. Like any other tools, they are designed to solve specific problems in certain ways. The goal is to get a system from whatever state it is in, into the desired state. Configuration management software are the tools of choice for many system administrators and devops professionals.
Read moreA Beginner’s Introduction to Linux
Welcome to the wonderful world of Linux. You’ll embrace a plethora of free open source software, with more choices than you could possibly imagine. There are hundreds of actively-maintained Linux distributions, dozens of different desktop environments, and tens of thousands of open source applications covering the whole gamut: games, multimedia and graphics tools, internet apps, utilities, development environments, and much more.
Read moreSimon Tatham’s Portable Puzzle Collection – Games for the Brain
There are some classic puzzles included in the Puzzle Collection. Implementations of quintessential puzzle games like Master Mind, Sudoku, and Minesweeper are featured. And there are lots of small puzzles that most people will never have played elsewhere. The diversity of the collection makes it a treasure trove.
Read moreKeep a Watchful Eye with these Console Based Process Viewers
Do you need to monitor your systems, but top doesn’t provide enough information. Check out these feature-laden top alternatives.
Read moreFocus on Your Writing by Using Markdown Editors
Markdown is a plain text formatting syntax created by John Gruber in 2004. It is designed to be easy-to-read and easy-to-write. Readability is at the very heart of Markdown. It offers the advantages of plain text, provides a convenient format for writing for the web, but it is not intended to be a replacement for HTML. Markdown is a writing format, not a publishing format.
Read moreExperience Home Computers that Missed the Big Time
Home computers were a class of personal computer which reached the market in the late 1970s, and became immensely popular in the following decade, selling many millions of units. The market was dominated for many years by a small number of 8-bit machines, in particular the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC and Acorn BBC Micro.
Read more5 Highly Promising Cross-Platform IDEs
An integrated development environment (IDE) is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to programmers for software development. Many coders learn to code using a text editor but in time they move towards using an IDE as this type of software application makes the art of coding quicker and more efficient. For example, IDEs have semantic knowledge of the programming language which highlights coding problems while typing. Compiling is ‘on the fly’ and debugging is integrated. Some languages are built around IDE support.
Read more24 Extra Hot Free Linux Games (Part 3 of 3)
For many individuals, computer gaming is nowadays an essential part of everyday life. This should not be seen as a negative. Whilst violent computer games have sometimes been identified as contributory factors in criminal activity, and undeniably they can be very addictive, it is important to recognise the real benefits that games offer besides simply providing a means of great entertainment.
Read moreTop 5 Lightweight Web Servers
There is a good range of lightweight web servers released under an open source license. To provide an insight in the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 5 high quality open source lightweight web servers. Hopefully there will be something of interest here for anyone who wants to run a web server.
Read more5 Best Alternative Free Linux File Managers
The file manager is one of those essential applications for many users which is almost impossible to function without. Linux is blessed with a large range of file managers which help to make file management a breeze. Our File Manager Group Test identified mature, polished file managers. However, for this feature, we wanted to select alternative file managers which are definitely worth trying but may have been missed given that they receive little coverage in Linux publications, and are not included or installed by default in mainstream Linux distributions.
Read more7 Best Free Application Servers
An application server is computer software which provides the business logic for an application program. It offers services such as management of large distributed systems, data services, load balancing, transaction support, and network security. The application server is one part of a three-tier application, consisting of a graphical interface server, an application (business logic) server, and a database / transaction server. Many application servers support the Java platform, but they can be found in other environments.
Read more24 Extra Hot Free Linux Games (Part 2 of 3)
This article is the second instalment in a three part series, identifying games that are worth giving a whirl. We have again tried to cover a wide range of game genres. Hopefully there will be something in this article which will be of interest to any type of gamer.
Read more8 Best Free Linux Music Notation Software
Music notation is a system which represents music in a written form by using musical symbols. For a musician to be able to read, understand, and play music, the composition must be in written form. A system of notation is essential for musicians to be able to play music as intended by the composer.
Read more6 Best Free Linux Office Software
Linux has a good selection of desktop business software that can help to enhance an organisation’s efficiency and adaptability to change. To provide an insight into the quality of software available, we have compiled a list of 6 of the best free office software. Hopefully, there will be something of interest here for both the desktop corporate user and home user.
Read more21 More Notable Free Linux Games (Part 3 of 3)
Linux is vastly underrated as a gaming platform. This may be due to the fact that there is no significant marketing of Linux games. With a lack of big-name games featuring in the computing press, coupled with a low market share for Linux on desktop PCs, things might seem bleak, with major barriers to the growth of Linux games.
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