what is linux and what can i do with it. thanks?

Question

thanks for looking at my questions i hear so much about it but dont know what it is or what it does

Answer 1

its a different os to ms .

Answer 2

Linux is an open source implimentation of the unix core (essentially a free os). Linux versions are (for the most part) licenced under the GNU public licence, letting people tweak and make derivative works to their heart's content. Two things really define linux, it's free, and it can be made and altered to do about anything. The different versions are broken down into distributions (distros). Some distros are more specific in purpose (like the TiVo interface, or more commonly a web server distro) or they could be more for everyday computing (similar to windows or Mac). In any case, linux os(s) are good for a great many things and is probably running the computer that's processing these q&as right now. for a more in depth explanation go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux.

Answer 3

WOOO! This is a long story

Linux is a different operating system (xp is a operating system). Most linux versions are free. Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Debian, FreeBSD etc... These are different versions of linux. In linux you have a different interface. For an example, in windows you have the one style and one set of programs, in linux you have kde and gnome. Their both different styles and all linuxs come with one.

With linux you must be an expert. You cannot use linux if you havent a clue. If you want to install a program in linux you cant just double click a installation file, You have to create a install through coding in kernels. Linux is good for security. Try to hack linux, X. Try to hack with linux YES. Linux is ok for hacking wireless and there are video demonstrations of people putting documents on other peoples computers through hacking. For many linux installations you need the internet as packages must be downloaded off the net, packages like the XSERVER (GUI). No GUI = just plain text!!!!

If you are a beginer then i suggest you try a live cd first. A live cd is when a operating system runs straight off the disk so you can try linux without installation or messing up your computer. You can download live cds of linux websites. Out of the two interfaces, i suggest you use KDE. I like the kde theme. A good kde system is Kubuntu. If you want linux as a family computer then i suggest you use mandriva (no live cd). Mandriva comes in 3 cds. Download the 3 cd's isos then burn each iso to disk using a iso burner.

Linux is for professionals! But remember, all professionals started somewhere.

Hope this helps!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Linux is an open source OS. Windows and Mac and Linux are all operating systems.
There are various flavours of linux based on different kernels. You can try linux even if you have xp using a live cd. The cd acts as a hard disk when you boot (remember that it will be slower than a 'real' linux installation).
Linux is more stable and relatively virus free but has a steeper learning curve. Nearly every program that you have to pay for with windows has it's free equivalent in linux. You download progs through a downloader from the internet. It is a bit different from windows as it relies more on the command line but you can set up launchers on the desktop (like windows icons) to automize stuff.
It started about 1991 with Linus Torvalds. Most everyday things run on linux including google. If you want to try for yourself go to this site
http://dir.linuxforums.org/category/72/
Personally I use ubuntu on a seperate partition from windows
http://www.ubuntu.com/
(shipit on this site will send you ten installation linux disks for free)
Why on a seperate partition? Cos most games manufacturers haven't got round to making games for linux and the games I like are older and exclusively MS. However there are two excellent programs which will allow you to use windows on linux but the wife is addicted to xp and hates linux. BAH!!
Give it a shot.

Answer 5

Linux is an alternative operating system to say, Microsoft's or Apple's.

Generally it has many open source components created by the community, while some businesses like to change the OS around and ship it under their own brand name.

For example, Red Hat and Debian are both types of Linux.

Many servers use Linux though I'm not sure why, perhaps due to its customization options by being somewhat open sourced.

Answer 6

It is an alternative to Microsoft Windows, there are many different versions of linux, most are open source, which means you don't need to pay £60 like you do for windows, you just download it for free. Thats why most people like linux. However, some programs don't work on it.

Answer 7

Linux is a Free Operating System like Microsoft Windows. Difference? Its free like others, you need to buy the license. Its freely distributable without violating any license agreement.

Answer 8

Linux is an alternative operating system that has the strangest price tag. It is free. You can do just about anything that any other operating system can do too. The only drawback is that sometimes there are not drivers for all of your hardware.

Answer 9

its a free operating system. its better than windows for web hosting