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What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system. An operating system is the basic set of programs and utilities that make your computer run. Some other common operating systems are Unix (and its variants BSD, AIX, Solaris, HP-UX, and others); DOS; Microsoft Windows; Amiga; and Mac OS.

Linux is Free Software. Now, just because it's Free, doesn't necessarily mean it's free. Think "free" as in "free speech," not "free beer," as we in the Free Software/Open Source community like to say. In a nutshell, software that is free as in speech, like Linux, is distributed along with its source code so that anyone who receives it is free to make changes and redistribute it. So, not only is it ok to make copies of Linux and give them to your friends, it's also fine to tweak a few lines of the source code while you're at it -- as long as you also freely provide your modified source code to everyone else. To learn more about free software and the major software license it is distributed under, called the General Public License (GPL), go here. In addition to the GPL, there are many other software licenses that allow you to modify the source code. The Open Source Initiative approves these licenses and keeps a current list of them.

Linux is not owned by anyone. One misconception many first-time Linux.com readers have is that this site, Linux.com, is similar to Microsoft.com, which is owned and controlled by the company that produces the Windows operating system.

Not so!

No one company or individual "owns" Linux, which was developed, and is still being improved, by thousands of corporate-supported and volunteer programmers all over the world. Not even Linus Torvalds, who started the Linux ball rolling in 1991, "owns" Linux.

(However, the trademark "Linux" is owned by Linus Torvalds, so if you call something "Linux" it had better be Linux, not something else.)

How to get Linux: When you "get Linux" you are usually getting a "Linux distribution" that contains not only the basic Linux operating system, but also programs that enhance it in many ways. Anyone who wants to put together his or her own Linux distribution is free to do so, and we know of more than 200 different Linux distributions that fill special "niche" purposes. But we advise new users to stick with one of the five or six most popular general-purpose Linux distributions until they know a little about what Linux can and can't do.

You can get Linux from a number of online software repositories, including the official Web sites for each distribution. For example, at www.linux-mandrake.com you'll find the Mandrake distribution; at www.redhat.com you'll find Red Hat Linux.

It helps to have a fast connection and a CD burner so you can quickly download an .ISO image of the distribution and burn it onto a CD. You then can load the bootable installation programs that lead you, step by step, through the process of getting Linux on your computer.

If you don't have a CD burner, you'll be better off if you buy a CD pre-loaded with the distribution (or distributions) of your choice. The more popular distributions are available in many computer stores and directly from each distribution's publisher. They sell full boxed sets of CDs or DVDs that come complete with a fancy user manual and official technical support. The average price is $25 to $80 USD. The convenience of a distribution on CDs, including manuals, generally makes your first installation so much easier that it is well worth the money, and even if you pay full retail price for a Linux distribution you will still get an incredible value.

One Linux.com editor tried to figure out how much he would have had to spend to get Windows software equivalent to the software that came with his USD $70 Mandrake 8.0 "PowerPack Edition," and stopped counting when he reached USD $1,500. He was only adding up the desktop software he used every day, and didn't count the server packages that were included and he didn't need. If they had been included in his tally, he probably would have concluded that his USD $70 investment in Mandrake Linux was the equivalent of $5,000 or more in Windows software.

And when comparing Linux to Windows, don't forget that Linux is a better match for "commercial grade" Windows 2000 or XP Pro than it is for "consumer grade" Windows 95, 98, ME or XP when it comes to stability and networking ability -- except that Linux is generally more stable than Windows, and will run on less expensive or older hardware than current Windows versions.

If you're on a tight budget, and feel you are skilled enough that you don't need documentation or support to get started with Linux, you can pick up Linux CDs from any number of online shops that burn them and sell them for just a few bucks each. Here are four of many, in no particular order:

CheapBytes.com
LinuxCentral
EverythingLinux.com.a u
Linux-download-cds.com

Get help before, during, and after you install Linux. Take advantage of some free, expert technical support: the Linux Users Group, or LUG. The heartbeat of Linux support, and of Linux itself, is the LUG. There are LUGs in almost every country in the world, where you can get Linux advice and help from people who live near you, speak your language, and are willing to donate their time so that new users (like you!) can learn about Linux without going through any more head-scratching than necessary.

You can find some LUGs here, but there is no "LUG central" any more than there is a single company that controls Linux. Each LUG operates independently and has its own style and meeting schedule. Note that if there is no LUG close enough for you to conveniently attend meetings, most LUGs maintain email lists you can join and use to get answers to any Linux questions you have.

One very good reason to make contact with a LUG before you install Linux, or even decide which distribution to use, is that your nearest LUG's members may have accumulated experience with one particular distribution and may be most helpful with that one. If this is the case, you would be wise to choose the distribution most popular with local LUG members, because you will get better and more accurate answers to any questions you may have.

So please, try to find a LUG and ask your questions there, because that is what a LUG is for. You may also find that a LUG in your area holds "installfests," which are special events where LUG members will sit down with you, in person, and help you install Linux on your computer if you "LUG" it with you to the LUG meeting location. (Maybe this is why they're called LUGs, eh?) This is the absolutely best and easiest way to get Linux going. If there is a LUG near you, and they do not have an installfest scheduled, ask anyway. Many LUGs will help you with an install at any meeting, anytime.

And now, let's talk about Linux distributions.

Many flavors of Linux: Windows and Mac only have one or two current versions each. Linux is about freedom and choice, so you have plenty of freedom to choose -- and until you have some experience with Linux, it is almost impossible to decide which of the many Linux distributions best fits your needs. All we can do here is give you a basic list and some information based on Linux.com staff members' own experience with different Linux distributions.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux
The best-known corporate GNU/Linux distribution. Sold by annual subscription, including well-regarded automatic update utilities. Offers comprehensive fee-based support, training, certification, and customization.
(www.redhat.com)

Mandrake Linux
This was the first Linux distribution that worked hard to make Linux easy for ordinary desktop users. The company that produces it, MandrakeSoft, has had many ups and downs since it was founded in 1998, and some releases have had quality control problems, but Mandrake Linux is now stable and workable for users at all levels, not just beginners. Freely downloadable version available; commercial versions have pre-integrated sofware packages and are easier for first-timers to set up than the download edition.
(www.mandrakelinux.com)

The Fedora Project
This is a community-developed, freely downloadable distribution that replaces the old no-charge version of Red Hat Linux but is still sponsored and supported by Red Hat. It is generally targeted more toward hobbyists and experimenters than desktop computer users.
(fedora.redhat.com)

The Debian Project
Debian is a true free (in both senses of the word) software project. Generally command-line-oriented, but some GUI system tools available. The Debian "apt" package management system is commonly regarded as one of the best, simplest, and most reliable ways to install and uninstall Linux software. Over 10,000 free software packages are available for "apt get" install through the volunteer-maintained Debian servers.
(www.debian.org)

Knoppix
A bootable CD based on Debian that includes a fine collection of free GNU/Linux software, automatic hardware detection, and support for many graphics cards, sound cards, SCSI and USB devices, and other peripherals. Freely downloadable, free updates, use Debian servers and "apt-get" to install additional software. An excellent way to test Linux on your computer without having to install it.
(www.knoppix.com)

SUSE Linux
SUSE is a division of enterprise networking leader Novell, Inc., and while there is a downloadable version of SUSE available you must purchase a copy to get all of SUSE's proprietary system tools and a full selection of pre-integrated software. SUSE places a heavy emphasis on corporate sales, but is excellent for individual users, too. A well-integrated package, suitable for both new and experienced users.
(www.suse.com)

Slackware Linux
One of the oldest continuously-published Linux distributions. Generally aimed at hobbyists and Linux sophisticates, not desktop or corporate users. You will use the command line quite a bit if you run Slackware.
(www.slackware.com)

MEPIS Linux
A newcomer that, like Knoppix, can be run from your CD drive without installation. Also like Knoppix, it is based on Debian. Where MEPIS shines is its easy, 100% "point and click" installation, and automatic detection of not only "normal" computer hardware but also popular webcams, the latest wireless network cards, "Winmodems" that usually work only with Windows, digital cameras, scanners, and other devices. Freely downloadable, paid registration or subscription updates available but optional.
(www.mepis.org)

Gentoo Linux
A completely free Linux distribution geared towards developers and network professionals that uses a unique package management system called Portage instead of the more common RPM and DEB systems.
(www.gentoo.org)

Xandros
An excellent desktop distribution that grew form the old Corel Linux OS. Debian-based, works well, easy to install and upgrade. There's an "Open Circulation" edition available for free download, but if you want all the bells and whistles (and a manual) you'll need to spend close to $100 for the full-featured "Deluxe" edition. Restrictive license limits sharing.
(www.xandros.com)

PCLinuxOS
A rather new Live CD distribution initially based on Mandrake Linux but rapidly coming into its own. Installs easily, runs very well, attractive default and utility screens. (www.pclinuxonline.com/pclos)

Linspire
Features simple, basic installation and easy installation of additional software. Most Linspire software is the same software you find in other Linux distributions with changed names, and it is not obvious how to switch from Linspire's Click-N-Run subscription software service to the free Debian servers or other free software sources if you don't want to keep paying Linspire for updates. Great packaging and looks. No free downloads regularly available; restrictive license prohibits sharing outside of immediate family.
(www.linspire.com)

Lots of other distributions: Distrowatch.com has a huge list of available Linux distributions for all tastes and purposes. No one list of Linux distributions can possibly be complete, because almost anyone can decide to make his or her own Linux distribution, and many people do. It can all be a bit bewildering until you get used to having this huge cafeteria of software available to you, which again is why we recommend getting advice from a LUG full of experienced users, then beginning your Linux experience with one of the popular distributions that offers professional and/or volunteer support to help you get going.

A Linux distribution contains more than just the operating system. You need more than an operating system to do anything useful with your computer. You need applications. Software that works with or on top of the operating system is what makes Linux useful. Fortunately, distributions package dozens, even hundreds of Linux tools and programs together -- office suites, text editors, games, spreadsheets, PIMs, email programs, graphics applications, scientific programs, documentation, digital camera applications, Web editors and browsers, and others -- so that you can install all of them at once and be assured that they will all work together efficiently without worry or any great effort by you. These are not the same programs you may have used with Windows or Mac, but since almost all of them are free, they are well worth your time to learn. You may be surprised to find that many free Linux programs included in the distribution you choose are better and more stable (less likely to crash) than expensive software you have used with other operating systems. After you have used Linux for a while, you will get used to this -- and once you do, it is very hard to go back to the world of high-priced Windows or Mac software!

Learn more at Linux.com: For specific information on how to do things with Linux, please check around Linux.com, we have a lot of different articles and tuning tips to help you learn "how to do it." As we mentioned at the beginning of this page, the one thing we can't offer is one-on-one support. In the near future, we'll be adding resources to help you get the one-on-one support you need. In the meantime, please make contact with that local LUG. It truly is your best source for individual Linux help.

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