Linux??

If you are that casual by-stander who looks on as technology whizzes past you, you have probably wondered why there is all this fuss about Linux.

'It is after all, just another operating system, I have windows at home (although it is pirated). It is meant only for techy-geeks who can fidget with Linux. Most of my applications dont run on Linux. And Linux's terminal scraces the hell out of me. I am better off leaving this new-comer alone.'

Well, I can't deny, I used to be part of this populace, so I wont criticize you too much. But anyway, if you are just a bit curious about the Linux revolution, here are some questions that you may have raised.(We'll answer them in lay-man style.... no hi-fi talk, just pure, down-to-earth knowledge). But here's a warning, if you don't jump onto the wagon soon, you'll probably be left behind.

What is so great about linux?

In this matter, we will have to resort to a few catchy terms. Linux is an open source Operating System. [Please note, not all versions of linux are Free Software.... but all of them are open source.] However, the Free versions of Linux are more than sufficient for any user, and are highly recommended.
Thus, you not only have a legal, free, Operating System (So, you can enjoy all benefits of upgrades) but also most software that is meant for linux is also free! Hence you find, the substitute for Microsoft Office, OpenOffice comes for free, while the MS version sets you back by about 10,000 bucks.
Regarding the updates, all updates for the Operating System and for its software are free and available for download (So now, you will never have an outdated version of a software on your PC).
There are well over 60 versions of Linux available, constantly striving to improve. You can only benefit from this competition.
And the best part (arguably) is that Linux is completely free of viruses. Yes, thats right. For the simple reason, all viruses are meant to attack windows. [This of course does not mean Linux Pcs are inpenetrable ... But they can definately be made less prone to attacks.]

Can Linux completely substitute my Windows?

The answer is probably a debatable 'Yes'. Linux a few years back, was looked at as Windows's poor brother. But now, powerful applications are being designed for Linux, that can match up to (if not surpass) their Windows counterparts.
Take the example of OpenOffice. A few years back, it was a sluggish, slow application that was left behind by MS Office 2000. Now, it is matching upto the standards set by MS Office 2003. It may not have the visually pleasing features of MS Office 2007, but it acheives all basic functionalities. No-nonsense .... the way we prefer it.

Why should I switch to Linux?

Well, like we said, if you dont jump onto the wagon soon, you'll probably be left behind. The Linux revolution is bigger and faster than ever imagined. Linux is now being used for business applications worldwide, and is slowly but surely, edging out other OSs in the corporate world. Windows still has a hold over the desktop PCs, but it is guessed that the monopoly will soon come to an end.
I already have Windows on my PC. Won't Linux 'clash' with it?
This is a common misconception. I personally have an Original Windows XP and Ubuntu 7.10 running perfectly fine on my PC. There is absolutely no trouble to install Linux alongwith Windows (provided you dont mess up during installation). [In fact, we will provide you with a proceedure to install Linux alongside your Windows in a later article.]

Linux is open source. What does that mean to me?

Linux being Open Source is not only good news for geeks. You'll love it too.
The Open Source tag word also means that all settings of the Operating System are openly available on display for you to tweak around with them. [For me it means no meddling with registeries to change my bootscreen or 'START' button, and no requiring Sharewares to fancy up my desktop. I can do thos myself, and with ease.]
I assure you, once you get linux working for you, you'll never turn back to windows.

But Linux requires typing in a lot of commands, doesn't it?

The answer is a clear 'No'. The latest versions of Linux (especially Ubuntu 7.10 and OpenSUSE 10) have put their Graphical User Interface (GUI) to wonderful use. No more cubursome commands required to perform basic activities. (The tweaking part still needs commands, but even those are very simple).

Why do people say that we need to 'Learn Linux'?

Well, you may have been working with Windows for the past 15 years. But you had to 'Learn Windows' at the start too.

I have a friend who used Linux. He didn't understand anything about the Operating System.

Your friend probably used 5-6 year old versions of Linux. Those versions, I agree, were cubersome. Especially, the versions preceeding Red Hat 9.0 were a lot of trouble to adapt to. Again, your friend may have been a n00b to computers too :P.
But now, the Linux versions are easier to use (for a new computer user, Linux may probably be easier to use than Windows.). The transtion from windows to Linux has never been this simple.

You are talking big coz you've been using Linux since you were five.

Quite contrary. I myself am no professional at Linux. I started using it about a year back, and now my Windows is gathering cobwebs. I simply love it. And I fully support this Open Source revolution now.

There are so many flavors of Linux available. Is there really a difference between them?

With regard to basic operation, all Linuxes are very similar. They are really the same operating system tweaked to meet different requirements. But if you use any of the top versions of linux, you'll probably not feel the difference so much.

Ok, if I have to, what version of linux should I use?

I would personally recommend these versions:

1)Ubuntu 7.10 [Gutsy Gibbon]
Very good OS is terms of software support, usability and visuals. But the visuals part require a graphics card. Also, if your PC is a branded one, this OS will probably go against your warranty thing.

2)Fedora Core 8
Second to Ubuntu, not by much. Very good usabilty, decent software support. Some warranties may go against this OS too.

3)OpenSUSE 10
Stiff competitor for the duo. Excellent support on PCs. It would be hard to find a PC where OpenSUSE refuses to function. Very good usabilty and decent software support.

Read more about Linux versions


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