What is Linux?
This section was adapted from the Wikipedia article on Linux and both that article and this section are released under a GFDL 1.2 License.
Linux, pronounced /ˈlɪnʊks/ (lin-uks), is operating system, similar to Windows and Mac OS X. The main difference is that it is completely free of charge, and it's fairly large user base makes it one of the most prominent examples of free software on the planet.
The name "Linux" is actually the name of the "kernel", which is the back-end of the operating system that controls important features such as hardware detection. The first kernel was first released to the public on 17 September 1991, for the Intel x86 PC architecture, but not for other types of computer, such as Macs. The kernel was improved with system utilities and libraries from the GNU project to create a usable operating system, which led to an alternative term, GNU/Linux.
There are many different versions of Linux to download. A dveloper can download the code for the Linux kernel, and create his own version of Linux around it, called a "distribution". One example of a distribution is Dreamlinux, which this site is based around. The most popular Linux distributions are Ubuntu and OpenSUSE. According to Distrowatch, there are over 300 distributions, and this figure does not include embedded systems i.e. ones that run within Windows.
At the moment, Linux is mainly used on servers, because it is known to be extremely stable. However, it's use on the desktop is rapidly increasing. It is used by corporations such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat, and Sun Microsystems. Nowadays, Linux can be run on a wide variety of computer hardware, including: desktop computers, supercomputers, video game systems (such as the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3), several arcade games, and a variety of embedded devices (such as mobile phones and routers).
Why not stick with Windows?
Whylinuxisbetter.net sums up the advantages of having a Linux operating system. The main advantages are:
- Free of charge
- No viruses
- Less likely to crash
- Very customizable
- Comes with much software installed
- Easy to update software
- Easy to find and install new software
- Best 3D desktop effects available
- No defragmentation of hard disks required
- Multiple desktop environments available
- Efficient file systems prevent operating system from slowing down over time
- Supportive community
- Multi-network IM programs
- Workspaces allow for less cluttered desktop
- Future influenced by the community
- No need to regularly reboot
- Low system requirements
- Free games
- Supports other countries
- Advanced music players
- Taskbar applets
What are the drawbacks of Linux?
- Sometimes drivers for hardware will not have been created for Linux, meaning that your hardware may not function correctly. However, this area is improving quickly and most peices of hardware can now be used on Linux. Dreamlinux is based on Morphix, which in turn is based on Knoppix, which has one of the best hardware recognition tools around. Most hardware that isn't configured automatically can be made to work by asking for help at a forum or by searching for the name of the hardware on Google.
- Software designed for Windows will not work by default on Linux. Fortunately Wine can be used to get software to work. If you are willing to pay a small amount, you can buy Cedega, which is focused on making games designed for Windows work on Linux - it is much cheaper than using Windows. Also, there are alternatives for virtually every Windows application on Linux, so even if you can't get a particular application working, you can use a free alternative. A good list of Linux alternatives is available here.