what is linux?

[erucader]

ok i have been reading sites and messages here but i cannot really understand what linux is ... well i know it is an OS but how does it work, what can run on it, who makes it etc...

also how would i learn it if i dont want to read a book.

[DrZaius]

Linux is an operating system, except that, unlike Windows, the source code is free and can be distributed by any company. Check out the official source for more info:

http://linux.com/article.pl?sid=02/03/09/1727250

[OOPS!]

To add a little for you. There are many companies that sell "Linux", such as well knowen ones like Red Hat, Mandrake, and SuSe. To Lesser knowen ones, like Slackware, Debian, and Gentoo. All of them use the Linux kernel. They just basicly package it to their own taste and sell it, or offer it for free.

And one more thing. Not to scare you off, but if you want to try Linux, you will need to read!!! And then maybe read some more. It isn't that is harder to use than M$ or Mac. It's just different. And the only way to learn is to read and try.

OOPS!

[nightsky]

erucador, bottomline is what do u want out of your computing experience? Linux has powerful flexibility of use. Whether it be communication programs, like teleneting, irc, webdesigning, surfing, networking, unlimited access to news grps and resources. Linux is the kind of operating system u can do whatever you can think of with for two reasons: its code being readily available to you as well as anyone else creates an exponetial enviroment for its development for whatever use you can possibly come up with - like clay in your hands. 2) Its really free and alot of people who use it provide all the information and support anyone can need to get up and running with it.
Unlike windows the user is an active participent in Linux's development. IE supose your thing is gaming - well here you hav an OS u can learn to tailor to your personal flavor of gaming. The user is the only limit on the functionality of linux and it is sweet when u get it going no matter how long it takes you... if u keep at it you will get it! This is my first post from Linux Slackware8 and Genome Desktop, Netscape and I have at least 5 browsers and four desktops installed to play with not to speak of all the applications and programs. Options and all free but for your effort, a couple beads of sweat, few nights drooling on your keyboard, few attacks of swearing at it and fun! Its Alive!!! Slack

[morriswindgate]

If you want to learn a bunch about programming and code then the open source Linux is the way to go. But do it on a second cheapie machine, because you will find that most of the software you run is not available for the OS.

[Statica]

Originally posted by morriswindgate If you want to learn a bunch about programming and code then the open source Linux is the way to go. But do it on a second cheapie machine, because you will find that most of the software you run is not available for the OS.

Yep .. but if you perservere you will find that pretty much everything that you've spent as software on a Microsoft OS, is available out there free of cost, and is more feature rich, customizable, faster, better documented..


OOPS got it right, you need to read if you intend to use the operating system .. this is not designed to be a run of the mill "insert CD here .. click this button here..." type of operating system; you become part system administrator, part user, part network guru with Linux, and it needs proper know-how to do it right.

[Computer Hobbyist]

Don't let all these guys with their hard earned experience and popping buttons scare you off.

While it is often said that any boob can plop a CD in the drive, load Windows and it will run, the truth is if you want to use Windows properly you need to read and become "part system administrator, part user, part network guru," too.

The same is true of the latest Linux distros. Any boob can drop a CD in the slot, load Linux and it will run, but if you want to run Linux properly you need to read and become "part system administrator, part user, part network guru."

The big difference is, that despite what you might have heard, Linux is better documented than Windows of any version. Since you don't have to rely on stumbling across hidden tricks or secret tips to really make the OS sing, Linux is actually much easier to learn to use to its maximum effectiveness than Windows.


CH