LinuxQuestions.org
Visit Jeremy's Blog.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 09-28-2007, 04:17 AM   #1
kedargjoshi
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Sep 2007
Location: Banglore
Posts: 1

Rep: Reputation: 0
Question Linux in mobile devices


Hi,
I would like to knew how far it is advantageous to use linux in mobile devices as compared to windows os. This may be regarding file system, graphics, response timing memory space required
 
Old 09-29-2007, 04:04 AM   #2
sadiqdm
Member
 
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Distribution: openSUSE, Ubuntu
Posts: 358

Rep: Reputation: 35
The biggest advantage of Linux is that it is easier to customise for small devices, unlike Windows where you have to have the whole thing in order to get a GUI. The One Laptop Per Child (OPLC) project has a special version of RedHat that runs in 130Mb of ram, including the GUI, wordprocessor, spreadsheet, e-mail, browser, games, etc.

The second advantage is that by default as the normal user doesn't have root permission, viruses and trojans just can't work, unlike in Windows where every user has at least some root permissions by default. I know you can set an admin password, but since this is a bolt on it is easy to get round it.

As far as memory use, and CPU load is concerned it is also much more flexible, and much easier to "tune".
 
Old 09-29-2007, 04:44 AM   #3
b0uncer
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Distribution: CentOS, OS X
Posts: 5,131

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
The second advantage is that by default as the normal user doesn't have root permission, viruses and trojans just can't work, unlike in Windows where every user has at least some root permissions by default. I know you can set an admin password, but since this is a bolt on it is easy to get round it.
This is possible in Windows as well (and in Apple's operating systems), but as far as I know, the common way in mobile devices (where the OS is minimal) is to use an admin account. For example in the first versions (I'm not sure if it was fixed thereafter, hopefully was) of Apple's iPhone the used user account was admin account, which in the tests proved relatively easy to break in (Safari with administrative privileges caused trouble, for example). So it's not enough if the desktop or server versions of the OS have non-admin/root account used by default, or if the OS provides or encourages the use of non-admin/root accounts; in mobile devices it's just often the easiest way (least disturbance for the end-user who is not interested in user accounts, but in getting the tasks done) to use a high-privileged admin account, than for example ask the user some passwords all the time. Especially true in mobile phones.

Last edited by b0uncer; 09-29-2007 at 04:46 AM.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
LXer: Access Linux Platform for mobile devices goes gold LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 02-13-2007 12:31 PM
LXer: Let Freedom Ring: Motorola Delivers MOTOMUSIC Mobile Devices That Offer Consumers Choice in Mobile Music LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 01-08-2007 06:21 PM
LXer: Motorola-eclipse Pact On Mobile Linux Devices LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 06-26-2006 09:21 AM
LXer: Mobile DTV technology supports Linux devices LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 06-10-2006 08:03 AM
Suggested Section - Linux and mobile devices bingbong LQ Suggestions & Feedback 6 04-17-2006 09:53 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:54 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration