The Linux Operating System

OPERATING SYSTEMS - LINUX

Linux is a great operating system. You will like many of the features Linux has. The first thing that attracted me to Linux is the cost. It is free! I am suspicious of “free” - almost always it isn't really free.

In this case there are a few costs associated with Linux but it's still a great bargain. You get a spectacular value for your very low cost.

What are those costs? I paid for a magazine containing helpful information and the Linux distribution I wanted. I paid for a few books on Linux as I was very ignorant about it. I invested my time teaching myself Linux. For certain the cost is substantially less that the cost of a Windows Operating System.

I have not reached Geezer status yet, but I'm getting closer each day. I used to operate in a Window 95 environment and I worked with Windows Document Operating System too. The point is they both used a terminal window and I am comfortable using it. If you are not familiar with the terminal window you can learn and using a little caution you will be fine! Caution is always in fashion, don't you agree? Her caution is the slow, deliberate entry and checking of what you type into the terminal window. After you become more comfortable with the terminal widow you will feel a sense of pride in your new skills.

Using the terminal window is now an option so if you want to avoid it you can. There are Graphical User Interfaces (GUI's) that do the same things in most situations. I enjoyed the challenge the terminal offered.

Is there a down side? At present Linux will not run some Windows programs. If you must have a specific Windows program then you have two options. The option I chose was to create a dual boot system. The other option is to run a virtual Windows program. With a large amount of hard drive space you can create a partition on your hard drive and Linux will live there in peace with windows.

Linux comes in a variety of distributions, or flavors, to use a little jargon. One of them is called Damn Small Linux and can fit on a separate USB drive. There are several advantages to this method and a few problems. The most common distribution is Ubuntu and it is the one I've installed. This article was written using Ubuntu and Open Office Writer. You can't see any difference between this and a Windows/Word based article.

http://start.ubuntu.com/8.04/ is the place to begin learning about Ubuntu.

You will need a few books about the Linux distribution you choose. They will show you how to get more than you imagined from your new operating system.

I was pleased to learn that the information I needed is readily available. Different writers had different thoughts about the Linux essentials. I gained skills and abilities by reading their books, You are strongly urged to do the same. It is worth your time.

Another advantage to operating a Linux system is that your “legacy” equipment will run.

You also get a back-up system should you experience a major problem running Windows.

At the bottom of this page is a comments section. You can ask me to elaborate on any point I've made here.

Enjoy your Linux, I enjoy mine.