Why would anyone install Linux, I hear its free, will that be the only reason?

Question

What can it do that windows cant?How can i get Linux (free), how big is it, how much of a partition on my hard disk should i reserve for it? Do i need to learn Linux before i use it, where can i get to see Linux screenshots..does it have a GUI?

Answer 1

Linux is (mostly) free.

You have to pay for some versions, like Red Hat.



Linux is pretty resistant against viruses.

You can literally count the viruses for Linux on one hand.

(I have used Linux to pull critical files from computers that couldn't even boot because of viruses.)



Linux is all about control.

You are responsible for everything on it.

No one can install anything if you don't allow it.



Size:

Linux comes in about every size imaginable.

From mere megabytes up to gigabytes.

Some version can even be run from a USB Flash Drive, or directly from a CD.

http://www.livecdlist.com/



Generally speaking, you don't have to "learn" Linux, but having knowledge of Linux is strongly advised before "diving in".

Linux is not Windows.

Don't expect any of your Windows Applications to work.

Don't expect any of your Games or Drivers to work.

Linux is (in most cases) very Hands-On, meaning you will have to configure everything to work with your hardware/software.



Most Linux versions do have a GUI.

Answer 2

To use Linux you need to understand that some proprietary software, can not be self installed by the Linux Distribution when installing to the hard drive, however these files are available for the computer user to install themselves. There shouldn't have been a connection problem with Ubuntu, but probably was because by default it couldn't load the hardware drivers for the network connection hardware. Basically a legal issue or paying for licenses to install it. It doesn't surprise me of how many people have never heard of Linux or have any idea what it is. They all know MAC, but don't even know what the underlying operating system is, other than the fact it isn't Windows. There are many of us who Use and work with Linux and willing to help people out when a situation comes up. We were new users at some time or another. You could try PCLinuxOS and see if it will suit your taste. It is Mandrake (Mandriva) based and uses .rpm files similar to Red Hat, plus you have root access without going through SUDO to work with your operating system. Most Linux Distributions based on Ubuntu, disable direct access to root, simply to prevent a user from messing their operating system up. Wish you the best and hope you reconsider Linux for a dual boot operating system.

Answer 3

Why install Linux?

Because Linux gives you choice and control on what you want to do on your computer. There is no company telling you what you should or shouldn't do on YOUR computer.

What can it do that Windows can't?

Anything you want. The only restriction on what you can do on Linux is your own personal technical skill (and even then you can always poll the community to help you technical issues that are above your skill level). The limiting factor on Linux is how much effort it takes to do whatever you want (some things like setting up a multimedia server that streams content to a PS3 or XBox360 are fairly simple, while reverse engineering a commercial program and recompiling it on Linux is a lot more challenging).

How much space does Linux take up?

Depends on the distro (distribution), some distros are very small (like DSL, or Puppy, both fit on a floppy disk) while others take up to 20GB (like SUSE, Fedora, and Ubuntu). If you want a fully featured and highly usable Linux distro, you should allocate at least 20GB (preferably closer to 100GB) to it.

Do I need to learn Linux before I use it?

No, but the more you learn before hand, the quicker you will be able to troubleshoot issues on your computer. The best way to learn Linux is hands on anyway.



If your really interested on trying Linux I suggest you fill out the following quiz ( http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/index.php?firsttime=true ). It will tell you which Linux distro is best for you. Download and burn off the LiveCD (basically a LiveCD is the entire operating system on a CD so you don't have to install it on your computer to use it) of all the suggested distros (the quiz will provide the links to where you can download the LiveCDs) and give them a try. Most LiveCDs will have an install program that will install Linux on your HD (so you don't need to use the LiveCD to run the operating system) and most Linux distros will allow you to install Linux beside other operating systems (like Windows). Just a note, when you install Linux NEVER format any existing partition (doing so will wipe out what ever was on that partition (ie Widnows)). You can resize or add a mount point (a mount point is a location on your HD where you can access the partition's files (ie Windows) from within Linux), but NEVER format the partition or you will lose it.

Answer 4

I use it because it offers me control over my entire operating system. If I don't like something, I can change it. It also uses my computer resources much more effectively than either Windows or Mac would. The package manager is awesome; it updates the software as well the operating system, so everything is up-to-date.



What can it do that windows cant?

You can change the source code, desktop environment, file manager, etc. Although, most of the software (including games) you use in Windows will not be available on Linux. Linux is not Windows, so don't have that mindset if you are going to try it out.



How can i get Linux (free)?

Most Linux distributions are free. Go to distrowatch.com and take a look at their top 10 list. The first 7 are relativity user friendly for beginners, Linux Mint, in my opinion, being the easiest.

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major



Do i need to learn Linux before i use it?

Of course, the same is true if you are switching to Mac. How much you will need to learn depends on the ease-of-use of the distribution you have selected.



where can i get to see Linux screenshots..does it have a GUI?



If you search for a Linux distribution in Wikipedia or distrowatch, it will show you the default desktop image; however, you are not stuck with that look forever, because you can dramatically change the way it looks. Most come with a GUI, usually the server editions don't, but the user can choose to install one.



Here is an example of how different the same Linux distribution can look.



Default Kubuntu desktop

http://distrowatch.com/images/slinks/kubuntu.png



My Kubuntu desktop

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3815/kdedesktop.png

Answer 5

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu



go to this website and you can either download the Linuxes disc's image and burn it into a disc,

or you can request a free disc, which you'll receive in less than two months by post.



linux is an open source operating system which offers you almost all kind of different software for free which does the same work and cost you a lot of money in windows and mac.



but as a beginner, you'll find it difficult to adjust, so install it parallel along with your current OS(windows or mac).

Answer 6

No it is not the only reason. It is -- seriously -- not even a reason. It's free as in freedom, not as in beer as Richard Stallman says.



As far as the GUI goes, Linux uses X-Windows, which was developed on UNIX as a cross-platform GUI in the mid-eighties but has recently undergone a major revision. In fact if you use most versions of Linux or of BSD Unix (FreeBSD, NetBSD etc) you will find you have substantially the same user experience. This GUI is certainly available for Apple, and is to some extent supported by them. It is also available for Windows however they are unalterably opposed to it.



The key is this: Richard Stallman was working as a grad student at MIT when he realized proprietary tools were making his life difficult, so he wrote the GNU tools to make his life easier, and they became his life -- he makes his money giving seminars on how to make money off Open Source. Linus Torvalds was a grad student at Helsinki University when he got frustrated at his inability to find a cheap Unix to run programs like the GNU Tools and X-Windows on his 386 at home, and so wrote the Linux kernel, with the GNU tools and using their license, to do so cheaply. What do these stories have in common? Both got their start, the whole OS got its start in GRADUATE SCHOOLS. BSD stands for Berkeley Standard Distribution -- as in University of California at Berkeley. MIT was a partner in the original X-Windows Consortium and X.org which runs it now is still headquartered in Cambridge. Most of the programs you get on Linux are free because they are cutting edge and often prototypes created in a GREAT developer's environment.



Netscape was why I learned Linux. This was in 1994, before it was available for Windows and my college set up a slackware computer lab to run it because there were NO other graphic web browsers. It actually got its start in UNIX as Mosaic but porting happened right away because the dependencies were all available on Linux. Recently Beryl/Fusion/Compiz was around long enough to go through three different names before Windows, with a MUCH bigger hardware requirement, came out with their own 3d desktop. Skype and so forth (Voice-over Internet Phone) was common on Linux long before it became accessible to Windows Users.



Figure 20-40G for a user-friendly distribution PLUS whatever you might need for your own files (the /home directory). You usually need a couple of hundred meg for swap space too. You can dual boot it, run it off CDs or Flash Drives and I strongly recommend it for people who are interested in computers. Dual booting it though is not something I recommend you undertake lightly: I have irrecoverably ruined only one hard drive but that is quite sufficient.



You can get it from anywhere. You can buy reputable copies of most distributions through the mail for between 5 and 10 dollars. Slackware asks for a $40 donation for their copy. Like other distros they also make cd images available free for download from their website (WARNING: while I use Slackware I just heard a humorous promo for a Linux event where one punchline was on mentioning it one of the characters said "Oh the pain". I LIKE Slackware but it was my first distro. I DEFINITELY understand that). If a friend just gives you his old install CD or burns you another copy -- that is NOT a pirated operating system. The GNU Public License which most distros -- all of them -- are under SPECIFICALLY permits that. And frankly the best reason to use it is because your friends do and you like what they can do on their computers -- they can even run them 36-72 hours straight without a noticeable slowdown unlike Windows.



That just about covers it.

Answer 7

For gaming there is XP



For everything else there is Linux



Why Linux is Better

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/



Here are the options for installing or trying out Linux



Option One (Full installation)



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon the outstanding Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 8 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena



Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Ubuntu inside Windows XP)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 9.10 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download



Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic



Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (mint4win is not available for Linux Mint 8)

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38



Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide



Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major







LUg.

Answer 8

Linux is not used for games or anything like that. It's used to create servers; such as Internet servers which people connect to, game servers etc..

Answer 9

Its a toy, I use windows to make money.