Can you tell me more about linux?

Question

Can you tell me more about linux?

Answer 1

Think of Linux as a do it yourself operating system kit. Its roots go back to the origins of UNIX and in fact both it and UNIX are modular operating systems which are often distinguished only by the kernel which runs them. Both Linux and FreeBSD for example use the GNU Tools to provide many essential OS services. In fact, the Linux kernel was written as a cheap (free) kernel to run UNIX programs on Intel processors. Ironically, with one thing and another, including the number of serious hackers interested in putting their desktops on anything (and for satire check out this link -- If you really get into Linux you meet people like this:

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2004/20040405/badger.shtml

) Linux is really the only OS which it is affordable to sell across platforms. If you can find a chipset it has been ported to it. Part of that also is the GCC compiler. It's an integral part of the Linux OS and many UNIX oses because the kernels use its Libc Library to provide some of the services it uses. And one of the most common uses of the GCC compiler is as a cross-compiler. You can literally install it so it compiles for a completely different chipset -- such as ARM MIPS or the Cell -- on your PC.



But the thing that makes Linux really powerful is that that is just one end of the spectrum of Linux users. I said that Linux should be thought of as a do-it-yourself operating system kit. While there are techie sites and info such as linux from scratch:



http://www.linuxfromscratch.org



and stunts such as damnsmalllinux which is the smallest operating system you are ever likely to run on your computer:



http://www.linuxfromscratch.org



there are also distributions on the other side, such as Denis Roja's dyne:bolic:



http://www.dynebolic.org



which is a Rasta distribution created by an Italian Rastafarian who lives in Amsterdam "For media activists" (it was while running it I was inspired to install slackware in this machine -- dyne:bolic is built on slackware) and Ubuntu, of course, which is a wealthy South African's attempt to give back to the community which literally took him from a poor South African Business Student who couldn't AFFORD to put Windows on his new computer to someone who bought a visit to the Space Station.



http://www.ubuntu.com



Neither of these versions require you to be a UNIX geek to use them or even to like them.



Okay, now I have told you some more about Linux. To answer your other question, ninety per cent of the games you can play on Windows you can play on Linux, usually using wine, which comes with most linux distros or cedega or crossover, both of which you have to pay for. Microsoft doesn't like this -- that is why they refuse to license directX to people who are doing Linux distributions and make it difficult to run games on Windows which don't use DirectX. Unfortunately, many of the most popular games fall into that other ten per cent.

Answer 2

Linux is a very stable OS. It is quite virus resistant since it is so 'obscure' making it almost worthless to mal-ware writers to target unlike Windows which is EVERYWHERE making it a LARGE and easy target to hit.



That said, Linux is just the Kernel or core OS (Operating System). All the different 'kinds' of Linux are called Distributions or Distros. A Distro is the Linux Kernel with certain sets of software packages tacked on.



You can do anything with Linux that you can do with Windows. ...even games!



Linux has a rapidly growing list of games being written just for it. You can play a lot of Windows games through emulators like Cedega, VMware and the like. But some faster Windows based games don't do as well on Linux even through emulators, so it's best at this time to dual boot your Windows and Linux on your computer to play those few games on Windows that you have that may not 'play' as well on Linux.



You ask such a simple question whose answer is so multi-faceted that the complete answer can not be given here as space is so very limited.



To find out more about Linux start your research here:



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux



Move on to here:



http://www.linux.org/



Then on to here:



http://distrowatch.com



Once you've researched those sites thoroughly you can move on to the linux.com site that was given by another answerer. BUT, that site is geared more towards power users and Linux geeks than to newbies. That is why that answerer gave the response she did.



After going through all of the info on those three - four sites, you will be armed with enough knowledge to continue your research even further. The linux.org sight has a place called "User Groups" where you can find a Linux User Group or LUG near you to help you even more! They can supply you with Bootable CDs of various Distros, help you install your chosen Distro and help you learn about it. My LUG has been invaluable to me!



For those new to Linux the distros that are most recommended are:



PCLinuxOS



http://www.pclinuxos.com/



Linux Mint



http://www.linuxmint.com/



Mandriva



http://www.mandriva.com/



Kubuntu



http://www.kubuntu.org/



For those coming from a Windows environment the KDE GUI (General User Interface = what you see when you boot up on your desktop to point and click on)



Take a look at KDE here:



http://www.kde.org/screenshots/



For those coming from a Mac environment the Gnome GUI is recommended. See Gnome here:



http://library.gnome.org/misc/release-notes/2.26/



There are other GUIs to choose from but those two are the most popular.



I hope this helps. Good Luck with your Migration to the Penguin!

You'll be glad you did.



►EDIT: Someone tried to give you the link to Damn Small Linux but pasted the wrong thing. Here's the CORRECT link:



http://damnsmalllinux.org/

Answer 3

With Linux gaming support is still relatively poor although things are constantly improving with windows emulating software such as Codeweavers http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxlinux/ and Cedega http://www.transgaming.com/



If gaming were not an issue. Take a look at Linux Mint 5 (Main Edition) its easy to install easy to use and has much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled.



RUN IT LIVE (see end of my answer)



Linux Mint 5 Release notes

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_elyssa.php



Linux Mint 5 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=25



Linux Mint 5 installation tutorial (if you like it)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-5-elyssa-r1



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 5 then you need to create a Bootable CD from the ISO. This can easily be done using Nero Burning ROM or similar software. Linux Mint 5 can also be run straight from the LiveCD you have created without touching your Hard Drive.





LUg.

Answer 4

If you like games you need to keep Windows (for a couple more years then we will catch up)



However, you can ignore everything you just read if you want to try Linux and the best version at that. All you need is 5GB of space.



If you have that then you are set to go with a solution to your concerns.



Its name is 'wubi' and it is linux from within windows. When you want rid of it you just uninstall it like any other program.

'wubi' installs Ubuntu. Ubuntu is the most used version of Linux out there. If you do download this then make sure you get Ubuntu or Kubuntu. Okay? You will see what I mean when the time comes.



Go here - download this - don't like it? Go into Windows to 'add/remove software' and remove 'wubi' - Simple



http://wubi-installer.org/

Answer 5

http://xkcd.com/456/



(webcomic)

Answer 6

Linux is not crapy. It is used to deploy servers most of the time. it does not crashes like windows. and I am not even a linux guru. but I like it.



The downside of linux is that you get support like you do with microsoft. and when you do get support the linux gurus will walk over your head.



but when your use to it. you should be golden.



as far as playing games, you will need to make sure your game is supported for linux.



The OS will not make much diffrence on the crapyness of the games. is the video card, audo, and your monitor that makes your game look crapy.

Answer 7

Linux is very complicated and not for new users. You can play some Windows games on it with a program called Wine. I would not recommend using Linux though. You will be better off sticking with Windows. I put a link just in case you really want to research it more.

Answer 8

its really crappy

Answer 9

It's an OK system if you know what you're doing, but Windows is much faster (in maneuvering around the operating system).



But there are VERY FEW programs that work in Linux compared to Windows. Just use Windows XP or 2000.