Why You Want Linux, and How You install it.

[Hushed]

Well, first and foremost: This is my first Guide here, so be gentle ;)

Terminology Used:
Linux - When people refer to Linux they are referring to the Family of Free Unix-like Operating Systems. The Linux Kernel was developed by Linux Torvalds. d
Linux Distro - A Linux Distro is a member of the Linux family. Since anyone can access the source code of Linux this makes it easy for developers to "Stem off" and create their own version of Linux, called a Linux Distro.

Why Would You Want Linux?

1. Its Free - Most Linux Distros are completely free, 100%. No strings attached, no adds, no "Upgrade Now" windows. Some Distros may cost a tad bit of money for a Corporate Version, or require a small amount of money ranging from $1-$50 for the whole operating system. If you don't own a CD / DVD burner, you don't have a Thumb Drive, or you don't have access to the internet you can usually request a free CD, that will arrive in 4-6 weeks, or pay $2.00 for a cd that will come in a few days. Its VERY cheap compared to Windows Vista, which ranges from $200 - $400.

2. Linux is Open-Source - You have your Distro's source code at your fingertips. Can you edit Windows, or OS X on the fly? You have TRUE freedom of your computer. Anytime something goes wrong you can figure out EXACTLY where and why. Then you can fix it!

3. Linux is Stable, and Fast - Linux almost never crashes, or requires a reboot. It is very stable. Linux is also fast, a Linux Mantra is "Your computer is not defined by its hardware, but the software that runs it". Some graphical versions of Linux can run with only 32mb of RAM, and little disk space, while others can reach up to 1gb of RAM, with 4 gbs of disk-space. Some non-graphical versions can run on as little as It all depends on preference.

4. An Operating System To Suit Your Need - There are tons of Linux Distros suited to your computer, or needs. Want to run a server? There are numerous server versions. Want to run a High-Performance PC? There are numerous versions. Need a Beginner Linux OS? There are numerous distros. versions. Have a very old computer? There are distros. Need a boot CD? There are numerous Distros.

5. The Mascot is a Penguin - Need I say more? Penguins are awesome.

6. Try before you buy. - Well since you don't actually buy Linux this doesn't apply. You can burn a Live CD Version of Linux, and have Linux without touching your hard drive. It will run straight from the CD Rom Drive, thumb drive, or floppy disks.

7. Linux is developed daily - People who are passionate about Linux develop it daily. These people are experienced, and only work on it because they love it. They do whats best for the community. Linux isnt run by a corporation whos goal is to make money.

There are tons of other reasons as well, but I could spend forever listing them. Lets move on!

Why shouldnt I use Linux? - You shouldn't use Linux if you are an avid gamer as there are a lack of games available for Linux (But there are a few good ones!). If you are afraid of using a command line once in a while you shouldn't use Linux either. If you are afraid to search for answers, don't use Linux.


How Do I Install Linux?
First, you need to find a Linux Distro you want. I would recomend Ubuntu for beginners. Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

If you just want to test out Linux with a Live CD, I recomend Damn Small Linux: DSL information (Server gets busy alot, just try again later if it doesn't load the first time.)

For Older computers go with Slackware, or Debian:
The Slackware Linux Project
Debian -- The Universal Operating System

Otherwise just do a search on a Distro:
DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

After you download the ISO of your favorite distro, use a CD Burner program to burn a CD of it. I use Burn Aware free edition, and it works great.

After burning the disk, take it out and reboot the computer you want to install Linux on. When it starts up get into the BIOS settings (Usually F2 or F10), and set the boot mode so that your CD-ROM drive boot up first. Exit while saving changes.

Upon rebooting you will be presented with a loading screen. Its pretty simple (Ubuntu's is similar to Windows!), anyone can easily follow through the instructions. Usually you just install the default setting.

After this you will have a (hopefully) working Linux System!

If you don't, try Google'ing a fix, or join the Distro's forum and ask for support there. The Linux community is very helpful to new users!

Enjoy your time as a Linux root!

[Hitman]

Good guide. The great thing about Linux, is because it's free you're able to try many different distros. Linux is all about personal preference. Unlike windows, you can customize linux into your own OS. Ubuntu isn't bad, and it's very popular these days due to it's easy installation, ease of use, and robust pre-installed software package. Some other distros that are also good for beginners that I believe deserve mentioning are Fedora Core (Red Hat), OpenSuse (Suse/Novell), and Mandrake. It would also be good to briefly describe the two main desktop environments that are most popular in Linux, KDE and Gnome. Mention things like KDE is most like windows and Gnome is more like Mac OS. Because in most Linux distros the user is asked to choose between these two environments.

[gvblake22]

Another Linux guru; YAY!!!
Welcome to HardwareLogic Hushed. I hope you stick around because we don't have that many people who know the real in's and out's out Linux stuff.

[Hushed]

Oh trust me, I don't know the in's and out's of Linux, but im working my best to learn ;)

Thats not to say im a total Linux Failure, but I am no Guru by any means.

[Zambini]

Very nice :)

I dig the Penguin bit.

[JazzyJake]

welcome to the forums, nice post.
jake
kubuntu-enthusiast =P

[Reloadron]

First and foremost welcome to the HL Forums!

Thanks for a nice informative piece on Linux and the merits of running an alternate operating system. Your write up was timely...

I currently have an older dual boot machine running Windows 2000 Professional and Suse Linux 9.3. However, that is soon to end. I am finishing building my wife a new machine which will free up her old system. Therefore I see a new dual boot on the horizon of Windows XP Professional and likely Suse Linux 10.0 or similar.

Again, welcome to the HL Forums and please keep the great stuff comming.

Ron

[Jokerswild]

Welcome to the forums. I like linux except the software installation and gaming.

[Carl Martin]

Welcome, Hush. Great guide - thank you!

Thought you may find this link interesting. > Download Linux - LQ ISO

I was surprised to find that the most popular Linux distro is not Ubuntu, but Mandriva. Guess when we Windows folks think of Linux we immediately think of Ubuntu, but among Penguins it occupies the number five slot.

Carl

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by Carl Martin

Welcome, Hush. Great guide - thank you!

Thought you may find this link interesting. > Download Linux - LQ ISO

I was surprised to find that the most popular Linux distro is not Ubuntu, but Mandriva. Guess when we Windows folks think of Linux we immediately think of Ubuntu, but among Penguins it occupies the number five slot.

Carl

That doesn't surprise me. Mandriva (Mandrake) has been around much longer then Ubuntu, and is quite established in the Linux community. Ubuntu has just recently became popular, give it some time it will probably climb up a few notches. I have installed and used all of the top 7 on that list and I would have to say the top 3 are the best for beginners by far. I have no Idea why people like Ubuntu so much, it's not really any easier to use then the others. In fact I have had nothing but problems with Ubuntu and nVidia video cards, while in every other distro everything works like it should.