What is Linux?
Strictly speaking, Linux is the kernel of a computer operating
system. A kernel is software that enables communications between computer
applications and hardware, providing system services like file management,
virtual memory, device I/O, and more. An Operating System needs more than just
the kernel. The GNU organization ported, wrote and developed many of the
software applications that combine with the Linux kernel to make a
complete Operating System. This is why you will see the term GNU/Linux
used when referring to Linux, to give credit for their
contribution. Put all of this software together with some custom configuration
and installation programs and you have what's referred to as a Distribution.
Each distribution is created by a particular person or persons, be it a
for-profit company like Redhat, or a group of like-minded individuals.
Distributions vary in areas such as ease of installation, included software, and
kernel versions.
Who Created/Wrote/Made Linux?
The Linux kernel was created by Linus Torvalds and first announced
on the Internet in 1991. Before and during this period, Richard Stallman was
creating the GNU organization, writing software like compilers and editors and
such, and creating a software license called the General Public License, or GPL.
All of this software, and a lot of other programs written, enhanced, and
developed by many other volunteers became what is now, in its various flavors,
called Linux or GNU/Linux. Since the Internet has been such an
integral part of Linux since the beginning, it seems so very
appropriate that this multiuser, multitasking, multiprocessor-supporting,
multi-contributor operating system now runs so many of the systems that power
today's Internet.
Which Distribution Is The Best?
Yeah, right. The best distribution is whichever one that You think is best. I
suggest that you install and try as many different distributions as you can. Not
only will you learn some things about Linux in general, you'll also discover
some things about Linux in particular, like which one is best for
you.
Will Linux Run On My Computer?
Most likely, probably without a hitch, almost. The fact is, it depends on your
system's hardware and whether or not the different 'pieces' that make up your
computer are supported by a particular distribution. The best way to determine
this is to go to the home page of whichever Linux distribution interests you and
check your computer's hardware against that distribution's Hardware
Compatibility List. You'll need to know what model of sound card or modem or
ethernet card is in your system. You'll need to determine what, if any, hardware
functions are done by your motherboard. Sound cards, modems, printers, scanners
and video cards are some of the pieces on which to pay close attention. Spend
some time looking through these lists, and determine which distribution at least
has a chance of being installed on your computer, before you spend the time,
effort and/or money trying to install Linux.
What Does It Cost?
The short answer is anywhere from $00.00 to hundreds of dollars. Linux is free
as in 'free beer' and as in 'freedom'. The 'free beer' part deals with the
monetary cost of Linx. You can download it for as little as the cost of an
Internet connection. Someone can GIVE you a copy of Linux, legally. The
'freedom' part means you are legally allowed to possess the source code, the
actual programming code of Linux. You can inspect this code, line by line, even
make changes to suit yourself. These free aspects of Linux, and other similarly
licensed software, are at the heart of what Linux is about. The Linux kernel and
most every other program that is part of a distribution are released under the
GPL, or General Public License, also called a 'copyleft license'. ( Think about
it. ) This license makes provisions for the distribution and modification of
free software like Linux. Anyone may modify and/or distribute GPL
software, as long as all subsequent modifications are released under this same
GPL. The GPL allows money to be made from GPL'd software, while also ensuring
that everyone can distribute and continue to have access to this same software
without restrictions. GPL software is copyrighted to the author or authors, and
is not public domain software or shareware.
Is Linux Easy To Use?
Linux began as a programmer's operating system, written by and for
those that like to get their hands dirty, so to speak, with the bits and bytes
that make things happen on computers. Perhaps because of this beginning, ease of
use has only recently become a consideration. Linux is not
Windows, and there's good and not-so-good in that statement. Some of the good
has already been mentioned (the freedom parts). One aspect of the not-so-good is
that Linux is not easily installed on just any computer system. Depending on the
hardware in a particular computer, Linux may not support certain
hardware functions, particularly the modem. Many current modems, also called HSP
or Winmodems, are designed to work primarily with Windows through proprietary
drivers, and some of the manufacturers have chosen to not release their driver
information in a way that would allow others to write Linux drivers for this
hardware. Hardware support for Linux is growing, but is still a
concern, and a reason why checking a distribution's Hardware Compatability List
before installation is a must. Learning new software applications and learning
enough about Linux to be able to use it at whatever level you desire will take
time, just like learning anything new takes time. Challenging, yes. Difficult,
sometimes. Impossible, hardly.
How Can I Get A Copy?
Linux can be obtained on CD or DVD media. You can download an ISO
image, and then burn that .iso file to a cd. An iso image is an image of a
CD-ROM disk saved in ISO-9660 format, an exact copy of a disk stored as a file.
If you chose to download an ISO, you should use a program which can resume an
interrupted download. ISO files are generally 640 megabytes in size, a lot to
download. While there is generally some documentation included on downloadable
iso images, there is no free technical support with a downloaded iso image. If
you need technical support buy a boxed version of a distribution, with cdrom's
and/or dvd's, printed documentation and technical support. If you don't or can't
download an iso image, you can buy only the CD's, without printed material or
tech support. There are other installation methods, but the ones I listed here
are what I consider to be most practical for those new to Linux.
Can I Keep My Current OS?
Most users new to Linux are running Windows. No surprise there, it's the
ubiquitous desktop computer operating system. Linux can 'play nice' with
Windows, meaning you don't have to erase your current version of Windows to use
Linux. There must be some unused/free space on your hard drive to install Linux,
just how much or how little depends on the particular distribution. At least 1
gigabyte should be enough for most, more will be better. Installation methods
are as different as the distributions themselves. Fortunately, you will find
documentation on the cd itself; reading it before you do an install is
recommended. Some Linux distributions will install on unused disk space within
your current Windows system, using as little as 300 megabytes of your drive. A
couple of distributions have the ability to run from the cd itself, creating
only temporary files on your hard drive that are erased when you shut down your
system, without making permanent changes to your hard drive. If you decide to do
an on-the-drive installation, you can still keep your current OS. Linux can set
up a dual-boot system using a Boot Loader program, such as LILO, which allows
you to select which installed operating system to run shortly after your
computer boots up.
What's The Worst That Could Happen?
Installing Linux involves changes to your computer's hard drive, perhaps even
repartitioning of the hard drive to create the room to install the Linux OS. How
you create this space depends upon how your system's hard drive is setup. If you
happen to have unpartitioned space on your drive, (not likely with a newer,
bought-from-the-store system) you can partition and format this space for Linux.
If your drive is just one big partition you will have to resize a current
partition. This involves making changes to your system that could make the hard
drive, and everything on it, no longer accessible, requiring a complete
reinstall of your current operating system. Backing up your hard drive, or at
the least whatever information and programs you would not want to lose is
strongly recommended. If you determine this to be the case with your system, I
recommend that you buy one of the boxed Linux distributions that includes
instructions and software specifically written to handle this. If this hasn't
scared you away, and it shouldn't have, you're ready to boot the installation
program.
Why would I choose to order from LinuxOnline.biz?
We offer our services to take the hassle out of obtaining Linux and BSD cds.
There are several reasons why you may want to consider making LinuxDist your
Linux and BSD supplier:
1. We do all the dirty work for you. We find the latest distributions of your
favorite versions of Linux and BSD and we download the iso images for you.
Downloading a full set of linux iso images can take days over a dial up
connection. We burn the iso images to cds for you. We try out the software on
our test machines. We ship it out to you within 24 hours of the time you place
your order.
2. If for any reason your cds are found to be faulty LinuxOnline.biz will send
you a replacement set free of charge.
3. We want your business! We provide a quality product at a reasonable price!
I'm Sold. How Do I Start?
Check out the home pages of the various distributions, look at their Hardware
Compatibility Lists, find those distributions that support and will install on
your computer. If you have questions or concerns about installing Linux, I
suggest that you buy a boxed version. Not only will you get printed
documentation, but retail distributions come with some form of technical
support, just in case. And feel free to browse our website for Linux CD.
Final Comments
If anything you've read here has discouraged you about Linux, then I've
overstated my case in trying to cover not only what is right about using Linux,
but what can go wrong anytime you add or remove software from a computer. If you
want to try Linux but are concerned about installing another operating system to
your computer, try one of the distributions that runs from cd, without
installing permanent files to your hard drive. Two of these are the SuSE Live
Evaluation version.
To purchase Linux, please visit our main page below:
Back to LinuxOnline.biz Mainpage
Other useful website : http://www.SarahGifts.com