With so much to like about Linux, it is worth a try

[Chetan G]

Linux is an operating system, like Windows is an operating system. Both
let you run applications, interact with hardware such as cameras and
microphones, and use disk drives. They both have windows, mouse
cursors, right-click menus, on-screen clocks, utilities, cool toys ...
pretty much everything you could expect.

There are, of course, some differences. People who are used to Windows
find it a bit of a job learning Linux.

Think of it as being like buying a new car. You still know how to
drive; you just have to learn where the controls are. Similarly, when
you learn Linux, you still know how to use your computer, you just have
to learn where the menus are.

The big difference between them is that Linux is a completely different
code base. Windows programs won't run on Linux. But just about every
program you might want to run under Windows has an equivalent program
under Linux. Sometimes the programs are the same (Firefox,
Thunderbird); sometimes they're different (OpenOffice.org vs. Microsoft
Office).

Linux is not susceptible to Windows viruses. And because Windows runs
on 90 percent of all desktops, it's a huge target for virus writers.
Linux has very few viruses. While Linux has antivirus available to it
and Linux users should run it, there's much less worry about spoofed
e-mails and errant Web sites taking over your machine.

Most Linux distributions contain (or at least have access to) just
about every program you would want. With just a few simple commands or
mouse clicks, you can update not just your operating system and one or
two programs (as you can with Windows), but every single application on
your computer.

And, unlike Microsoft's once-per-month update cycle for Windows, most
Linux distributions fix any problems they find within hours, so
updating daily gives you great peace of mind.

Oh, and here's the best part: Linux is free. Not just the operating
system, but all those applications. Depending on the version of Linux
you get, that can be 20,000, 30,000 or more.

There are a lot of different versions of Linux. One of the easiest to
use is called Ubuntu (find out more at www.ubuntu .com). What's
particularly cool about Ubuntu is that not only can you download a CD
that lets you install it, but you can also download a "live" CD. Reboot
the system with the live CD and you're suddenly running Ubuntu Linux
- from the CD. This lets you play around with Linux without ever
having to install it.

So, removing the CD and rebooting your system puts you right back in
Windows. This is a great way to decide if Linux is right for you
without having to commit to reformatting your hard drive. Of course,
everything will run slower from the CD than it will from the hard
drive; not only is the CD inherently slower; it also has all of its
files compressed, so that the system has to uncompress them be fore you
can use them. It takes a little longer, but you get a lot more
applications on the CD.

Is Linux for everybody? No, of course not. No more than Windows is for
everybody, or the Macintosh is for everybody, or indeed no more than
computing in general is for everybody. But if you're going to use a
computer, you might as well at least think about giving Linux a try.


--
Regards,
-----------------------------------------------
Chetan G.
Linux System Administrator
NerdsLab, Indore
http://www.nerdslab.com
(M) :: +91 9893 232192
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