Linux?

[Spring2188]

I have no clue. I am taking a guess that Linux is an operating system, something like windows. Anyone wanna give me some general info on what linux is. If it is an operating system, like i think it must be, what is the difference between it and windows. What other operating systems are there? If you can help me out, gimme some info, just tryin to learn a little about the computer world. Thanks

[Sketch]

Yes, Linux is an operating system, or rather an OS kernel (the part that does the actual work). Many different vendors take the Linux kernel and bundle it into full operating systems called distributions. Redhat is one of these companies, which you've probably heard of. There are also distributions from Suse, Mandrake, Caldera, Corel, and many others. These distributions are all compatible, and use the same basic toolset, but some of their more advanced administration tools are different. Which you use is just a matter of taste. You can get any of them for free by download, or buy them from the vendor.

Functionally, Linux is very similar to Unix, and if you are familiar with Unix you should feel right at home. If you don't know anything about Unix, you should get a beginners Linux book. All the current distributions come with a windowing system called "X" that shares some similarities with Windows, but it's different.

To compare Windows and Linux, it's night and day. Windows is an "average users" system while Linux is a "power users" system. They are binary incompatible (Windows programs don't run under Linux and Linux programs don't run under Windows), but can co-exist on the same computer. You just choose which one you want at startup. Linux is faster and far more stable than Windows. Windows is easier to use and has more software available.

If I haven't scared you off yet, then you may like it. I love it. I have 2 hard drives in my system, one for Windows, one for Linux, but Linux is perfectly happy being on the same drive as Windows (you just have to re-partition).

[KR02]

Linux is a Unix clone. Unix is an Operating Sytem used on severs and workstations worldwide. Linux is too. The diffence is that
a) Linux is Open Source. That means that you can modify and redistibute any/all parts of the system for a fee or for free.
b)Unix on the other hand is propritary.

Linux is a kickass OS that is rock stable. It will take a little bit to get used to, but it is worth it.
Other OS's are:
BSD/OpenBSD/FreeBSD - Used for Servers/workstaitons
Unix - same
BeOs - Very stable, "MEDIA OS". Handles many needs very well AND is free (not open source). Can/is meant to CoExisit with Windows.

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