M.A.R.S - Manawatu Amateur Radio Soc

October 2010 - Opensource

About 24 months ago I began to looks at alternatives to Windows since I was not happy with where Microsoft was taking the operating system.   Microsoft seemed to be dictating what the user experience would be and what options would be made available to the user.  I had looked at Open Linux during the 90's and while I liked the idea it was still a geek's operating system where knowledge of the terminal commands and lack of support for hardware I had made it unattractive to me.  When the Microsoft NT 6 .x operating system arrived (Vista and later),  I attempted to learn how it worked as it is part of the work I do.  After persisting for 8 months I knew I needed to find an alternative where I again had the control of the PC.

Linux was the only real alternative on the Intel Platform and while Apple OSx had been ported onto non Apple hardware I wanted something I knew was supportable and in the public domain.  I tried many distributions including Centos (the base OS for IRLP systems), Suse, Debian 5 and Ubuntu.  While these are all good Linux distributions with great support and I loved Debian 5 as it looked great, I eventually settled on Ubuntu.  I choose Ubuntu because it is a Debian based operating system, this means Ubuntu take the Debian code and further develop it adding their own software and tweaks in the process.  Also over 30% of the installed Linux market is Ubuntu so I figured any help I wanted I would find online.Now, when I am not away the only computer I have at home running Windows is my work laptop, which is what I am using now to write this column over the Tasman at 30 thousand feet on route home to the shaky isles.  I have two PC's at home both running Ubuntu and I am not disappointed.

So, what can you run on Linux and Ubuntu in particular.  The software you expect to see to run multi media, manage iPods, browse the Internet, manage email, and office tools like word processing, spreadsheets are all included.  Much more is available to install with an Internet connection, and the installation of available software is usually much much easier completed than installing software on windows.  With the addition of the Linux software 'WINE' many DOS and Windows programs can also run-but not all.

So, what about ham radio? The first program I tried was Echolink, I downloaded the Windows installer as a native Linux version is unavailable.  I ran the EXE to install it as if I was on a standard Windows desktop. When Echolink was installed I launched it and worked correctly and properly without any configuration.

FLDigi. FLDigi is a digital modes program which many already use, FLDigi is written using the Fast Light Tool kit which is where FLDigi gets part of its name and has its origins in Linux. FLDigi is available for Windows, Linux and possibly Macintosh. There is an array of ham specific software available to install from the Ubuntu software manager, for Linux software not in the software manager the installation can appear a little daunting even to someone with a year or so of experience.  However, there is so much information available on the Internet now which can give line by line instructions in enabling any Linux software you wish. Most of the instructions you can cut and paste into a terminal window to install and configure software.  Note, the software available in the Ubuntu software Centre has no impact on your pocket.

Support for many things 'ham radio' is included or available at minimal or no cost with Linux, even AX25 as a protocol is built into the Linux kernel for those utilising packet radio.

Where is Linux going? Sitting here on an Air New Zealand A320 with individual in seat entertainment I was pleased to know these entertainment consoles are all Linux based with Tux the penguin (Linux Mascot) visible on the boot screen on a console as it was being reset.  Also, in the mobile processor market with PDA? (Personal Data Assistant) and telephones is the Android Linux based operating system being developed by the Open Handset Alliance in conjunction with Google. This has enabled an open source operating system on a smart phone to compete with Windows Mobile and the iPhone which it is now doing. Even Echolink has now been ported to Android, I had a contact last week to a mobile station in Missouri using his HTC Android telephone.  He was using Echolink (on high speed wireless data) into the Darlinghurst UHF Sydney City repeater when I was out mobile in the Olympic park area.

Why Linux?  Well like Ham radio it is open source and free.  Now free is more than the price, the real freedom is to use the software any way you like, to modify it anyway you want (source code is available), re write and release you own version if you wish.  As an Example, the Levin Library are open source advocates and their Library System 'Koha' was written by people in Wellington and it has been released as open source software.  This has enabled other libraries around the world to take what Levin have provided and add / include additional functionality and make this available free.  Open source becomes an enabler for software by the people and for the people, no longer does anyone have to accept the functional limitations of proprietary software.  The ideals of the GNU public license for open source software are enabling value based services to be available to schools / public bodies and the like without the crippling software compliance cost seen in business today.


While I am no wiz on Linux,  I am an advocate for the philosophy and I grow in my understanding of it each time I use it.  If you want to know more speak to me, I would love to know how many at branch 20 are using Linux daily now?