Linux

If you haven't heard about Linux, where have you been? :-)

This is an Operating System for your computer that doesn't continually crash, or get infected by viruses, spyware, adware, and registry problems.

It doesn't come with a huge cost, or ridiculous licensing fees, or rules like "you can only install it on one machine". And it's fast. And there is load of free software available. So what is the downside?

Well, it is very customisable, so you can spend a lot of time just setting it up the way you want it. Also, it invloves a complete mindset change from the Mickey Soft way of doing things, as it doesn't hold your hand every step of the way with cutesy paperclips. Software that you have running on that other Operating System may not run at all on Linux (because it is a totally different underlying system), but there are applications available to make some of them work (such as your office suite).

 

Avid NZ Ltd has been installing Linux servers for a few years now, and finally Linux has come to the point where it is ready for the Desktop computer market. We recommend and install Mepis, Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, OpenSuse and Debian.

 

Digital Video Security

Did you know that you can monitor your work/home/holiday home from miles away, being able to see everything going on with a video feed?

Avid NZ Ltd is building Video Systems that meet your need for security.

 

Adventures in LinuxLand

We have now completely migrated to Linux on the desktops in our own office, with the main system running Kanotix, and Knoppix, with terminals on Kubuntu, and whatever happens to be flavour of the day. The main hassle with migration was the import of mail into Kmail/Kontact from Mozilla Thunderbird Win32; as we have so much mail and address books entries. For users that are curious and wish to dabble in Linux, I recommend Mepis or Linux Mint, as it has everything set up and ready to go.

For printer compatability, I recommend the Brother range, because of cost and reliability, as well as excellent Linux drivers.