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Can someone explain this to me? I've heard it quite a bit on the internet but have no idea what it actually is.

Are you being sarcastic?

Linux is a set of open-source operating system (a computer interface) just like Windows and MAC, but generally free. Also on Linux, it is possible to edit the source code and stuff, so Linux is good especially to techies. But there are also user-friendly versions like Ubuntu and Fedora.

hm.. fedora isn't really the most user friendly

Ubuntu and SuSE are the ones I recommend to newbies.

NinjaRooster: If you are serious I suggest downloading a live cd of ubuntu. You can boot your computer with it without changing anything on your hard drive.

http://releases.ubuntu.com/dapper/ubuntu...p-i386.iso

or request a free one

right but what exactly is it mostly used for? Is it just an operating system or is there something more to it?

Can you ask the question a different way? I don't understand.

No it's just used by people who like it's features. Also techies can edit the source code and stuff

how is it compared to Windows/Mac OSX?

There isn't one "it" . There are many different types and each is better than Windows/OSX in a different way. It is like you are asking "how are European cars better than a Toyota Camry"

Most of the time a linux distro is rock solid and will run for years without a crash.

They usually have all the latest features months or even years before OSX or Windows

You can make it look like anything (with some work)

It'll run on any computer (more often than not with no extra work)



downsides:
It usually looks ugly unless you put work into prettifying it.

It can be a steep learning curve if you don't have much experience with the more advanced side of computing.

It's a free operating system. A free alternative to Windows or Mac. And it's open source, meaning many people contribute to fixing things and adding new features in the OS. Windows is closed-source, so only Microsoft can change the underlying code. As is OSX for the most part (thought it's based on BSD which is a Unix variant).

So Linux is free, stable, and can run very well on old hardware too.

What do u mean

what kinds of programs run on it? How hard is it to find games and stuff that are compatible to Lunux?

oh and can I install it without deleting my old OS?

Linux is NOT AN OPERATING SYSTEM. Ok, just had to get that out there. Linux is an open source computer kernel, which is highly customizable, available from source, and can be pieced together with hundreds of open source softwares.

You can pick something called a linux distribution, which is a bunch of software put together, and can be installed like Windows. These usually have software for most needs, such as a graphics editor, a jukebox application, etc, most software is pre-installed. Some distros have .rpm or apt-get compatibility, as opposed to your own source compiled (such as gentoo, although it has portage), and apt (.deb) and rpm are lists to source, where the package manager takes over, and compiles the source code, and integrates seamlessly into the operating system. It fits in with your GUI, such as Gnome or KDE, so long as you have the proper libraries for the API, such as GTK+ (most linux software is run on GTK+). The X window system (or AIGLX for accelerated compiz-fusion desktops) is needed to run a GUI, as there is not one integrated into the kernel for customizability and compatibility issues.

Most of your open source software is available for Linux, such as Openoffice, Firefox, Thunderbird, GIMP, Pidgin, Audacity, etc. There are hundreds more open source apps not available for Windows that are Linux only. The only downside is there's little commercial software available, it can be a pain to install/tweak things sometimes, and codec/DVD compatibility is hard, and the only way to watch DVD is illegal in the USA. On the upside, Linux has huge communities, and plenty of guides on the internet to help you get through it. Many enthusiastic people are willing to help you out there.

All in all, it's a good idea to try out. I recommend Ubuntu, it's the big thing, the most supported, and most linux software runs on it. It's easy to install, and will help you dual boot with Xp/Vista, and will help partition your drive.

If you get more experienced in it, and want to tweak around, then look into Slackware, or even gentoo, which helps custom compile your own optimized kernel, just for your hardware, just your drivers, optimized for your CPU, etc. As the generic kernel with regular distros can be slower (slower than Windows, that's pretty much guaranteed). Eventually, you'll be able to compile your own kernel from source, as I did, on a Pentium II 266 MHz box, and gave myself a small firewall. (I later switched to BSD, which was also custom compiled.)

I could ramble for months here, so I'll stop now, if you have any more questions about linux, please feel free to ask me and/or send me a PM.

Regards,
sc7

Every type of program can run on it, the hard part is finding them and getting them installed. At first everything will seem damn near impossible but in no time at all you will become used to it.

Some very good games exist for it but they usually aren't something you would recognize by name.

Yes you can install it along with your current OS without the two hurting each other. Probably the easiest way would be to use Partition Magic to create a 10gb (for example) section of the hard drive just for the new OS and then you can choose between the two.

Before installing it why not try a LiveCD of Ubuntu? Its the complete OS but it runs directly from the CD and doesnt need to be installed.

Actually, Ubuntu makes it easy. With synaptic package manager, and the apt-get respositories, everything is there. And if it's not, download automatix, double click the .deb, click install, and run it, and then you're definitely set (as far a free apps go).

is there such a thing as a paid app on linux


(I know there is, look at crossover office)

Haha,
But i think that's part of the charm, that ideology of free software.