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