What is Android?

   "This article was published in GEC's Newspaper - Graffiti"

                  

          Have you ever thought of customizing your mobile phone according to your taste?(other than just the theme!). Google Android is here for that and much more. Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google.

        Android has become a major player in the smart phone market within a short span of time since its inception in 2008. On average about 2,00,000 Android devices are being sold these days. The sales figures of Android devices is climbing on a daily basis and this, definitely, is a revolution. Android has dethroned major smart phone giants like iPhone, Blackberry, Windows mobile, etc. & is second only to Nokia Symbian OS which, analysts say, will be pushed to the second place shortly.

        The entry of Android has revolutionized the smart phone market. For a  touchscreen smart phone like iPhone you'll have to spend Rs.30,000+ and you have just a few models to choose from. But there are plenty of Android laden smart phones which appeal even the middle-class with a starting price tag of Rs.10,000. The Android phones available in India are from Samsung, HTC, Motorola, Sony, etc.

        The heart of Android OS is a modified Linux kernel. The user interface runs on top of it which is written in Java. The web browser is based on Webkit layout and Chrome's V8 Javascript Engine. Android offers a much intuitive interface and supports features such as multitouch, Wi-fi, bluetooth, multi-tasking, etc. The tight integration with google services - such as Google search, Gtalk, Google Maps, Gmail,etc. - is an inborn feature of Android OS.

                                       
        The real strength of Android OS is nothing but the large community of developers writing application programs(apps) that extend the functionality of the devices. There are currently over 70,000 apps available for Android with some estimates saying 100,000 have been submitted. You and me can change the OS and make it the way we want it to be. Applications can be written using Java programming language. If you can't wait to get a Android device you are free to download the Android SDK(Software Development Kit) and emulate a virtual Android mobile in your computer to test! Innovative ideas such as 'Apps without borders' makes it possible to have any sort of apps that you dream to have.

        Android will be a milestone in the history of Open source softwares. Its true that even now many are yet to realise the real magnificence of Free Software. But at least in the realm of hand-held devices, the Open Source softwares will have a much deserving, visible supremacy.

Unixhub

New hangout space for Unix lovers..!           wix.com/jithus/unixhub


I created a website using Wix. Discussion forum, Chat, Poll options are there. Links to useful websites and good articles are also included. Do check out and dont forget to give me feedback..:)

#Also checkout Wix - really cool. Just so easy.

Hacker is a person who...!!

           The meaning of a word is the meaning that most people convey using that word. In the case of "Hacker", the majority conveys the wrong meaning. Wrong in the sense, not original. To many(mostly comprising of people not directly related to), hacking is breaking into private systems, stealing passwords, making profit out of confidential details etc.

          Hacker is a highly creative person who does brilliant work often concentrating in a specific field. Originally, the word "Hacker" was used in this sense in the Programming society. Eventhough it is more popular in the computer related contexts, it can be used in any discipline.

           To be more strict, there is a process in becoming a hacker. There is a culture and a community that has become the backbone of computer science-Free Software Community. Here hackers are respected by all and the word "HACKER" is considered as a prestigious label.

          The hacker's attitude and the subtle line characterizing "both types" of hacking is clearly presented by Brian Harvey,University of California, Berkeley at http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~bh/hacker.html

The Open Source World

“Idea is born free but everywhere it is under patents.”

          I used to dream of a superhuman who is massively strong, amazingly intelligent and able to do almost anything that is impossible for normal individuals. This guy could easily handle even an elephant..!!(Even if hundreds of men are there, their combined strength cannot be applied on the elephant. So my hero is quite a super-hero!). Later on I realised that such a hero cannot exist.

          But to my surprise, almost near to my dream there exists something which, even at this second, is busy solving the problems worldwide. That is a highly active, proactive and creative community which is “the Open Source Community”. Here no problem is unhandleable any more. The synergy of hackers situated around the globe is sufficient to solve any problem on globe. Just get stunned to see the huge number of active open source projects - Wiki “List of open source softwares”
          Like many others, I too used Windows. But later, I got oppurtunity to know Linux a little bit closer. Slowly I switched over to Linux. One thing I'm thankful to Microsoft is for helping me to learn how to install an operating system fluently on my computer(Guess how..!!)

          To learn more, many wonderful articles about the free software community, culture and different aspects in this field authored by eminent people are available like “The Cathedral and The Bazaar”, “How to become a hacker”, “The art of Unix Programming”, etc.

          Why Linux??!!For a worthy comparison between Linux and Windows, visit http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/. Windows users, you may find your last reason to embrace freedom leaving windows behind.