Valentine's Day.

Well, another Valentine's day has rolled round and with it a virus warning from the FBI.
It appears that a link to the Storm Worm virus is being sent via an E-card. A bogus Valentine's Day E-card arrives in the recipients inbox and dupes them into clicking this link and accidentally downloading the virus on to their PC.

"The e-mail directs the recipient to click on a link to retrieve the electronic greeting card (e-card). Once the user clicks on the link, malware is downloaded to the Internet-connected device and causes it to become infected and part of the Storm Worm botnet. A botnet is a network of compromised machines under the control of a single user."

What folks fail to realize is, this virus is targeting Windows Systems! Get the target of your back! Get Linux! Linux is immune to malicious Windows' Viruses and malware. Linux is also more secure and stable than windows.

So, insure yourself of having a safe and happy Valentine's Day. Get Linux.

Easing into Linux

It's been almost a month since Christmas, and right about now, that new Windows computer you got as a gift on that magical morning may be acting up.

It could be slowing down or maybe you picked up a virus or piece of spy ware from an unfriendly web site. Or maybe you've just become tired of Vista constantly asking for permission to do even the smallest task.

(Or maybe you're one the folks who didn't get a Windows system for Christmas... but your current Windows set-up is definitely not working as it should.)

Well, you may be thinking of finally giving Linux a try. But, you still have a few questions as to how to make the move.

A few years ago on the Linspire Forums (now the Freespire forums), a new member asked the following question:

"i have 2 drives C=XP HOME D=Linpsire....maybe. used to windos doing everything for me so should i just do it or what?? help the new scared one please."

Allow me to translate this cryptic question a bit. The new member has two partitions on their computer's hard drive. Partition C has Windows XP Home Edition. Partition D is empty. The new member is considering installing Linspire Linux to this empty drive, but is a bit apprehensive.

I answered this question with the following advice which I believe is a very good approach in easing your way into using, and understanding, Linux. Even though I was speaking about Linspire Linux, this can be applied to any Linux distribution.

"About 2 years ago, I was in the exact same place you are right now. In fact, it's safe to say that many on this forum were in a similar situation to your own. So, rest assured, folks understand. And with that understanding, comes a great deal of help from the folks up here.

As was pointed out, be verbose, detailed and as exact as possible with any challenges that may come your way.

I call them 'challenges" and not "problems." The difference being, all that is required is a bit of understanding as to the inner workings of Linux. Once you have this knowledge, even a little bit here and there, you can move forward and get your system running properly. Problems only tend to happen to Windows systems.

First things first. Absolutely, run the Live CD. That's exactly what I did at first. I recommend you run the Linspire Linux Live CD for a good month or so. Don't even boot into Windows. Run the Live CD and try EVERYTHING Linspire has to offer. Browse the Internet, configure the email program, play a music file, plug in your flash drive, etc. Get comfortable with Linspire. Make sure your hardware works with Linspire. As issues come up, you can log on to this forum and ask questions. Get as much a background as you can, so once you make that dual boot install, you'll know what to expect and how to react.

Having said all this, if/when you do go for a dual boot install, make sure to do a complete backup of your hard drive. You probably have files that are pretty important. Back those up on a flash drive or USB Hard Drive.

Once you become comfortable with Linspire and understand how things are set up and work, THEN do the dual boot install. And, the installation process is quite easy.

If, for whatever reason, Linspire fails to work on your existing system from the Live CD, then I recommend you purchase a brand new box with Linspire pre-installed. Because, believe it or not, once you run Linspire, you're going to want to buy a new system anyhow. That's what I ended up doing after my dual boot install. Linspire is that good.

Welcome aboard."

This is the same advice I tell folks today. Get that Linux distro from distrowatch.com. Download and burn the .iso file to a CD. Run the Live CD as much as possible. Become familiar with Linux. Join a Linux forum and ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS. Simply tell the members that you're a new user and want to move to Linux. Believe me, they will help you every step of the way. (The Linux community is incredibly generous with their time, knowledge, and help). And the move is not as difficult as you think. It's quite easy.

And finally, once you do install that Linux distro to your computer, you're certainly going to start looking at buying a new Linux system. Because, now that you have a cutting edge operating system (free from windows viruses, and spy ware), other members of the family will want one, too!

Get Linux.

Warning! Do Not Open!!!

(Click Image to see larger view)

How many times have you received a Virus Warning Email? A Virus Warning Email goes something like this:

Beware of Virus - This is a must read!

An email is circulating that claims to have Pictures (or video, audio, documents, etc.) of (name of the event, person, etc. goes here). DO NOT OPEN THE ATTACHMENT! It is a virus (or Trojan) that will crash your whole system!

Usually, a link to Snopes.com is included to show the authenticity of the virus email threat.

Well, these are well meaning communications meant to make sure everyone avoids installing a nasty virus or Trojan on their systems.

Well, not EVERYONE. Only those users who happen to be running Windows. You see, Linux is immune to Windows viruses and Trojans. When I get one of these email warnings, I'll pass it along to others who are running Windows. But I'm not concerned at all. I run Linux.

And I hope that, if I point out Linux' immunity to Windows viruses often enough, you'll decide to give Linux a try.

A much better method of informing people about Linux was posted by Jim Isbell a member of the Freespire Linux forums. When he receives one of these Email warnings, he simply clicks on "Respond to all" and sends all the following email response:

"Dear (Whomever), I run Linux on my machine. It is immune to ALL Microsoft viruses. Also if you will read that Snopes article you will see that it DOES NOT say that the virus messes with your HD. It says that it installs a "Trojan horse" program in your computer to spy on you. This is NOT a major problem, however, first because a Trojan horse program does not trash your computer, it only spys on you. And secondarily the article also says that even this will not happen if you have a properly updated Windows system which you should have since it is a free service if you subscribe to "Big Fix".

But more importantly, if you run a Linux based system (there are over 200 of them), which has all the features of a windows system without the virus susceptibility, and has the added bonus that almost ALL software for Linux is FREE, even the operating system, AND even updates of the operating system are free, AND the desktop is hardly distinguishable from a Windows desktop so there is virtually NO LEARNING CURVE, AND support is free FOREVER not just for 30 or 90 days, AND it will run and can be easily installed on any computer that will run Windows, then you have no virus problems and no constant "send us $45 for an update" problems..."
How true!

Linux really gives you freedom! You get a great Operating System, great software and become part of a great community of Linux users. It's easy to start. Pick a Linux flavor, download and try it out!

Get Linux and get rid of viruses, spy ware and other internet nasties! Run Linux and maybe you'll be the one sending your friends a similar email.

Got a question about cartooning with Linux, or Linux in general? Email me at: georgetoon@gmail.com. If I use your question on my blog, I'll send you an original, signed George comic strip!