Linux differs from other operating systems that you may have used. It is good when trying it out to not think about it in the same way that you thought about your old operating system. It is out with the old to make room for the new.

First off, we need a few definitions. Linux in its true sense is not an operating system. Linux refers to the kernel which is the core of any operating system. However, people use the word to refer to any number of things, including as an operating system. Purists will correct you if you use it this way, but you can ignore them because many people do not care about terminology to the same degree that they do.

On top of the Linux core are various libraries, most of which came from the GNU project. For this reason some people refer to it as GNU/Linux. Even this is wrong because there is more added to this to make in an operating system in the sense that most people use the word. On top of the GNU contributions are other projects such as Xorg and various window managers and desktops, giving us a graphical user interface or GUI for short. On top of this are the efforts of the distribution itself and it is this that gives each distribution its distinctiveness. As you can see the operating system reflects the collective efforts of a wide and diverse community of developers and users all working together. There are over three hundred Linux distributions, dozens of window and desktop managers and many more decorations and add-ons, giving a selection of possibilities that is unparalleled in computing. Linux is a happening place to be right now.

The word Linux comes from the first name of the kernel developer, Linus Torvalds, and UNIX, the operating system on which it is based. It is worth noting that Linus Torvalds did not name it Linux but Freax, but a co-worker did not like Freax and called it Linux in his honour. The name itself is steeped in controversy as the GNU folks feel shortchanged if you call it anything but GNU/Linux. I call it Linux because it sounds better and you can call it whatever you like. The mascot of Linux is Tux, a cute penguin who is widely adored and not steeped in controversy.

Linux is a modular system. It loads various modules, libraries, servers, and daemons in sequence. You only need to know a few things up front. Linux has its own boot loader, which is usually GRUB (but it could also be LILO), which is the first thing that you see. The other thing is that it has its own file systems which are not compatible with those of Microsoft or Apple. The most common Linux file system is ext3, but there are many to choose from.

When Linux stops booting, it usually comes to either the desktop which is similar to what you might expect from other operating systems or at a login screen, which is the more common practice. In Linux, logging in takes on new significance. Your user name and password are unique. Nobody can get in without both. Nobody can change your user files without your permission. In other words, it exists not as an inconvenience, but as a security measure. It is worth the few extra seconds it takes to login this way. Also remember, that unlike Windows, you never have to re-boot, so you are less likely to waste time in the long run. You can leave your computer on for days, weeks, months or years without needing to re-boot even once.

Linux is for everybody because there is no one type of Linux user or even in one use of Linux. Linux works on desktop computers, on servers, on embedded devices such as appliances, TiVo, cell or mobile phones or PDAs, and it will even install on an X-Box or iPod. It is the most flexible operating system there is. It can work on the newest equipment or breath new life into really old computers. It will run faster than anything that you are used to and has more choice of features than you can dream of.

You probably use Linux without knowing it. It is everywhere. Most of the Internet relies on Linux, including many of the biggest companies such as Yahoo, Google, Amazon, and eBay. It is also used by many institutions such as universities, hospitals, and government agencies. Even Microsoft uses Linux, but they won’t tell you because it is bad for their business.

Linux is open source or free software meaning that it is free to use, modify and distribute. It is distributed under a license called GPL. As a user of Linux, you will rarely see a user license or EULA that you have to agree to. Everything that you could possibly want is included and it is all free. There are commercial products for Linux, but you can avoid them if that is your desire and for the most part you won’t be lacking.

Software and drivers are not installed in the way you may be used to. You don’t go to the store to buy it or search on the Internet for it. When you buy a new piece of equipment you don’t insert a disk in to install drivers, either.

Software is stored in libraries called repositories and you select them from a list using a programme that comes with Linux called a package manager. Individual files that you need are bundled together in a package, hence the name. There are two main types of packages, each is used by the two main branches of Linux. There are RPM packages for Red Hat and its derivatives and DEB packages for Debian and its derivatives. Most distros use one of these two formats and they are not compatible with each other. All packages are managed and are free of viruses and other nuisances.

Drivers are included with the kernel and if the hardware is detected the driver is installed discreetly in the background. You don’t have to do anything. There are some exceptions to this. You may have to install drivers separately from the repositories for some types of equipment. In the case of wireless cards you can use a Windows driver if a Linux one is not available, but this is the exception to the rule.

Linux is the complete solution for more and more people. Linux is gaining converts and winning people over in all parts of the world. As such, Linux is also more than just an operating system. It is an ideology to some that embraces the idea of freedom of choice to its fullest. But, it is also a community that spans the globe. Within this community, there are sub-communities for each distro. It is hard to find a place to start when you are offered so much choice, but you will find that it is easier than you thought. Linux users are unusually helpful and many are very knowledgeable. Just ask and you will get help.

Next: To Install or Not Install

Notes: I am deliberately trying to keep this simple and am not interested in nitpicking here. If you want to disagree strongly please post to my main blog. I am not shy about my opinions there.

Please feel free to add your own perspective provided that you keep it clean, clear and dead simple. No commandline recommendations or complicated jargon.

I have chosen to use limited sources, such as Wikipedia, not because I consider it the best source of information, but to simplify my life. I can keep that window open and just type information into the search bar. It may not be ythe best, but it beats having no links.

Happy computing with Linux!