What is Linux? Linux is an operating system (OS) first implemented in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, when a Computer Science student in Finland. It went on to be fully developed by the Free/Libre Open Source Software(FLOSS*) community, and is today the fastest growing 'new' OS.

It is a full OS as robust, feature-full, and reliable as Mac OSX or Windows (arguably even more so). There are Office suites, graphics programs, media players, CD rippers, and video editors available (often included with the OS). What it doesn't have is a restrictive End-User License Agreement (EULA) that requires you to buy another copy to install on your second computer, your wife's computer, the kid's computer, your laptop, or even your neighbor's. Yes, once you have the install CDs, even if purchased from a retail distributor, or you burned your own copy from the Internet, or borrowed them from a friend, you are free to install it on as many computers as you like. WHY? Because, as was the case when computers were first invented, the people involved in Linux, and all FLOSS, believe that computers are to be used and the ability to use them should be available to all and shared.

However, and just like Mac OSX or Windows, there will be some hardware that may require some installation or setup or even will not work with Linux. Also there is a learning curve, just like Mac OSX and Windows. Most people with any computer experience will have very little trouble using Linux programs. The office suites are very similar to Microsoft programs and a bit of clicking around will have you productive in short order.

The other programs, particularly the graphics and video editing, are admittedly less 'intuitive'. But the definition of 'intuitive' is: “Works the next time the same way as the last time you figured it out.” If you know Photoshop then you can learn the “GNU Image Manipulation Program”, a mouthful shortened to GIMP, and, though it looks nothing like Photoshop, it will take less time than when you were learning Photoshop, because you already know how to do computer graphics. Same for those who do Avid video editing, Cinelerra will come easily enough.

What is the down side? Compatibility issues. Again just as with Mac OSX and Windows there will be some problems, sometimes, with some files. If you have never gotten a Word file from the office computer that printed fine on the $3,000 laser printer and wants to be two pages wide or only half a page wide on the inkjet in your den, you're lucky. Similarly have you ever lost embedded graphics from an Excel spreadsheet? Linux is no more prone to this, nor immune, than either Mac OSX or Windows.

So where do you get it, how much does it cost, and how do you install it? First, is it right for you? Fortunately this is easily resolved. There are several Linux vendors who provide what is called a 'live CD'. This is a CD version of Linux that does not install on your computer, it only runs from the CD player. This allows you to see what it's like without disturbing your working computer. You can Google for 'Linux live CD' and learn all about it. Or simply go to www.ubuntu.com. This is a Linux provider who makes a live CD and carries the idea of free software to the ne plus ultra of being completely free of cost as well as restriction. Click on the order CD button and they will ship you several of their latest release FREE, postage & all. This is a South African company so the mail takes some time - one week to several - but if you know how to burn an ISO CD or DVD you can do that from their Web site.

After you have decided you want to give Linux a go for real you will have to pick a vendor to get the OS from. This can be confusing, or not. If you got Ubuntu you can use the install CD. You can get other Linux CDs at Fry's or CompUSA or any major computer store, even Staples and Office Depot. For the adventurous, ebay has tons of people with CD burners waiting for your bid. If you feel the number of different vendors is overwhelming then just pick one, it actually does not matter too much which. Yes there are differences between the various Linux distributions, about as different as between a Kia and a Mercedes, but both will get you to the grocery store. And any Linux will give you word processing and spreadsheets. And yes someone who knows Linux will be sure to tell you that you made a bad choice if you didn't pick their favorite; but that is their favorite, not the absolute best Linux in the world. When you have Linux up & running and you like it, that will be the best Linux for you.

BEWARE: It is possible to install Linux onto a computer with an existing OS, but be sure you understand what you are doing. Some methods of installing a new OS may format your hard drive and you could lose data. Always do a backup before working on the OS.

*FLOSS is an acronym for Free/Libre/Open Source Software and refers to the computer programs written by the international community of programmers who use a FLOSS license to distribute their software. Just as no software company has programs written by only one programmer, so is FLOSS software written (or developed) by a community of programmers. It is called FLOSS because the licenses used guarantee some degree of freedom to the user in regards to the program. The most basic freedom that all FLOSS licenses bestow is to share. There is no restriction on sharing the software once you have acquired it. A complete description of all FLOSS licenses is beyond the scope of this article, but Googling for FLOSS will get you more data than you may even want.