| What is Linux? | | | | |
| | | | You can have both Linux and windows on your |
| Linux is an operating system, like Microsoft | | | | computer. (You'll have to partition them on |
| Windows, MacOS, or Unix. It was created as a | | | | your hard drive and you can only boot them |
| hobby by Linus Torvalds, a student at the | | | | one at a time.) |
| University of Helsinki in Finland. What most | | | | |
| people don't know about Linux is that its | | | | Drawbacks of Linux |
| source code is available to anyone. The | | | | |
| Linux source code is called the kernel and it | | | | There is no 1800 customer service number to |
| is the base of the Linux operating system. | | | | call. However, most distributions offer a |
| Because the source code or kernel is free, it | | | | support number or email to call if you find a |
| has enabled hundreds of companies and | | | | bug. They also generally come with |
| individuals to release their own operating | | | | installation instructions. |
| systems based on the Linux system. These | | | | |
| operating systems or formats are often | | | | You cannot run applications for MS windows on |
| referred to as Linux distributions. | | | | Linux. However, there are Linux emulators or |
| | | | applications that enable you to run some |
| Each distribution has its own set of features | | | | windows applications on your Linux system. |
| and functionality that makes it unique. | | | | They operate like a translator. Some of |
| While Linux is generally considered free-ware | | | | these 'translation or emulator' products are |
| and people associate that with no cost, that | | | | free and others are available for a price. |
| is not always the case. Some distributions | | | | |
| are available for download for free and | | | | Linux is not able to run some advanced |
| others are available on CD or floppy disk and | | | | financial applications or reproduce some |
| have a small charge associated with them. You | | | | proprietary multimedia formats. |
| can find a list of distributions at and a | | | | |
| list of applications at | | | | Tips and Advice: |
| | | | |
| Because if the adaptability of Linux it has | | | | Choose a popular distribution has a large |
| been embraced and supported by a number of | | | | developer community. A large developer |
| operating systems and software programs. For | | | | community means that you'll find the programs |
| example, IBM, Hewlett-Packard and other | | | | that you need easily and you will be able to |
| giants of the computing world have embraced | | | | install them with the same ease. The more |
| Linux and support its ongoing development and | | | | well-known distributions have prepared |
| openoffice.org and Mozilla run on Linux. US | | | | programs in 'packages' that are easy to |
| retailing giant Wal-Mart began selling Linux | | | | install. On top of this, there are tools |
| systems back in 2002 - if Wal-Mart isn't | | | | designed especially for a particular |
| mainstream, nothing is. | | | | distribution to manage these packages to make |
| | | | sure that programs run correctly right away. |
| What are the benefits of Linux? | | | | The website maintains a comprehensive list of |
| | | | the most popular distributions. |
| Many people fear that Linux is going to be | | | | |
| difficult to work with or that it will be | | | | Get the latest version of your chosen |
| difficult to find software that will run on | | | | distribution. The newer the Linux |
| Linux however Linux is a very standard | | | | distribution version, the better the hardware |
| operating system, compatible with just about | | | | support. The number of glitches you'll get in |
| any software you need. | | | | the installation process decreases with the |
| | | | newness of the version of Linux you choose. |
| Beyond being a standard operating system, | | | | |
| Linux supports open source software which | | | | Consider paying for your Linux distribution. |
| makes it a very economical operating system, | | | | It is true that you can get a full-featured |
| especially if you program your own software. | | | | Linux operating system free of charge by |
| It offers many free or low cost applications | | | | downloading it from any number of sources. |
| which include, basic desktop applications | | | | This is an excellent alternative to an |
| like web browsers, email programs, word | | | | operating system like Windows, which either |
| processing programs, spreadsheets, graphics | | | | comes pre-loaded with a newly purchased |
| programs, and file managers. | | | | computer (which gets figured into the cost), |
| | | | is bought separately or copied 'illegally'. |
| Linux can easily operate as a central server | | | | In most people's experience, the popular |
| for your business. With Linux, you can serve | | | | Linux distributions are easy to install. |
| your own web pages up for public consumption | | | | However, if you do run into some glitch |
| and handle your own email. | | | | (normally hardware related), you may have a |
| | | | frustrating experience. Although there are a |
| Linux doesn't require top of the line | | | | number of excellent Linux support forums out |
| hardware though many recommend you have at | | | | there, personalized advice on your particular |
| least 256 MB of RAM and at least 4 GB of | | | | problem may be hard to find. |
| space in your hard drive. | | | | |
| | | | Use an appropriate computer. if you want to |
| Linux is considered to be extremely stable | | | | use Linux to do the same things that you |
| and doesn't need to be rebooted periodically | | | | would with Windows XP or Mac OS X, then |
| to maintain performance levels. Think about | | | | you'll need the newest computer you can get |
| the last time you sat at your computer and it | | | | your hands on. Avoiding 'elite' video cards |
| froze. Not fun, right? That doesn't happen | | | | and new, exotic hardware will also work in |
| with Linux if it is configured correctly. | | | | your favor because you won't have to deal |
| | | | with hardware support which may be inferior |
| Linux isn't going to be replaced anytime soon | | | | to hardware support from other operating |
| and when bugs are found in the system, a | | | | systems. |
| developer are quickly on the job and often | | | | |
| times a solution is offered within a matter | | | | Bottom Line: |
| of hours, not months or years like many other | | | | |
| operating systems. | | | | Linux is a fantastic and powerful operating |
| | | | system that can handle most or all of your |
| Linux is also fast and can handle a number of | | | | operating needs. It is secure, fast, |
| tasks at the same time. | | | | reliable, and generally extremely cost |
| | | | effective. When purchased or obtained |
| Linux also claims to be one of the most | | | | through a reliable distributor and installed |
| secure operating systems isn't plagued with | | | | and configured correctly there are virtually |
| the viruses that other operating systems | | | | no drawbacks to running Linux. Additionally, |
| generally deal with. | | | | you don't have to give up your windows if you |
| | | | don't want to. |
| Linux is free from having to upgrade it or | | | | |
| deal with proprietary file formats and | | | | MemberSpeed Content Management software can |
| licensing fees. You don't have to register | | | | run on any Linux Any Linux based Hosting |
| it due to its open source format. | | | | Platform (Preferably RHEL 3 or above). |