Linux Jump Start FAQ

What is Linux?

Linux is an open-source UNIX-style operating system that you can obtain for free and run on your computer at home. It also runs on many Internet servers, including this web server. For a more detailed explanation, see What is Linux?

What is open source software?

I like to think of it as "community developed software". It is software that is written by people who actually use it every day, who then share the source code with others so we can all use it and improve it as needed. You don't have to pay for, and if it breaks, you can fix it yourself (well, you're legally allowed to, we can't promise you can actually do it!). Learn more about open source.

Is Linux really free?

A wise man, I know not who, once said, "Linux is only free if your time has no value." You can download the software at no cost, and make copies without fear that the Copyright Police will come after you, that is true. But you need to make a big investment of time to master Linux. If you are one of the many people who has more time than money, Linux is probably a good choice. If you just want to get something done in a hurry and you don't know Linux already, you may find the time investment costs more than just buying an off-the-shelf solution. You will have to make that evaluation yourself.

In the long run, the cost of learning Linux is offset by the myriad things you can do with it without additional investment in software licenses and expensive development tools. There's no such thing as a free lunch, but Linux is the best lunch you can get on the cheap.

Which Linux Distribution should I use?

There are as many answers to this question as there are Linux distributions, and all of them are correct for somebody. Personally, for new users I recommend Linux-Mandrake. It's easy to install and easy to use. I use Mandrake on all my workstations.

Can Linux completely replace Windows (for me)?

Well, it can, but a better question is whether it should. Most of the world runs Windows, and many programs, especially games, are only available on Windows. For new users, I do not recommend scrapping Windows just yet. Get to know Linux a bit first and see if it is right for you. If you fall in love, great. If not, you still have Windows to fall back on. That said, I use Linux about 95% of the time (when I'm not playing games or using Quicken), and I don't miss it a bit. This web site is created entirely with Linux software.

Where can I get Linux?

You can download it from the Internet if you have a very fast connection, or you can order CD-ROMs from many different vendors. Read Obtaining Your Copy Of Linux for details.

I got my Linux CDs. Now what?

It is perfectly normal to need a little help getting started. Our Linux Guide will help you through the steps to get Linux installed and working on your PC, and then help you to get comfortable using Linux.