Linux and Ubuntu

[Stephen M. Webb]

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On 05/11/2012 02:53 PM, Adrian Burridge wrote:
> Hi Canadian Ubuntu users,

Hi.

> I am still learning about Linux (my site is hosted using Linux) at my webhosting firm.  I noticed Ubuntu is going
> to be shipped in more PC's next year and was wondering if their were any Canadian developers who might be able to
> provide me with some information on how Ubuntu can be used by a tech novice like myself.

Ubuntu can be used on the desktop in exactly the same way Microsoft Windows or Apple MacOS can be used, except that
you have to use software programs built for Ubuntu instead of for Microsoft Windows or MacOS.  The end result is that
you have a different selection of programs on each OS to perform similar tasks.  You will find the selection of
software outside of Microsoft Windows to be smaller, but about the only time you will notice that is when you're
looking for slick AAA games (and that is changing with recent announcements from Electronic Arts and Valve).

In terms of what you can get from a service provider, you are more likely to find GNU/Linux running in a web hosting
or in a cloud server.  The reasons for this are numerous.  It shouldn't really matter what your hosting provider uses,
you can generally use hosted services from any desktop.

What sort of things are you aiming to do?

> Also wondering if some websosting firms that have their servers located in Canada are better for Ubuntu users.

Yes.  Servers that are hosted in the US are subject to the US government's onerous arbitrary search-and-seizure laws
in which they have the freedom to examine any and all of your data at any time, without warrant or notice.  Similar
Canadian legislation is still before parliament and only covers connection activities (vaguely defined parties can
watch who you talk to, but not what you say, without a warrant or notice).  You are better off using a Canadian-owned
firm with hosting located exclusively in Canada, otherwise the US government will consider your data under US
jurisdiction.  A number of organizations have in fact relocated their hosting to Canada for this reason.

On the other hand, Canadian hosting tends to be more expensive.

- -- 
Stephen M. Webb  <stephen at ubuntu.com>
https://launchpad.net/~bregma
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