What is Linux?

Linux is a true 32 bit multitasking, multiuser operating system. It's fast and it's powerful. Linux is a freely-distributable, independent Unix-like operating system for x86, Motorola 68k, Digital Alpha and Motorola PowerPC machines. It is an implementation of the POSIX specification with which all true versions of Unix comply. It is used for software development, networking, and as an end-user platform. Linux has become a cost-effective alternative to expensive Unix systems. Linux is also great because it is a multiuser, multitasking OS. Linux also uses the protected-mode features of i386 and i486 processors. This means that it can directly access all your available memory and more using virtual ram.

In layman's term...

Linux is a fast and powerful operating system. Based on the unix o.s., though sharing no proprietary code, LINUX is the creation of Linus Torvalds. He developed LINUX as an experiment to get a small unix system with more functionality than the then-popular MINIX os. Today, LINUX is, in many ways, superior to commercial distributions of unix. Alot of LINUX' code was written and exchanged via the internet, so it's got alot of interest and support.(Many internet servers use LINUX, including AOL) LINUX has many benefits, Including;

• - Using your 386,486 or pentium processor in it's protected mode, LINUX can take advantage of the processor's advanced features not available in it's real mode(memory management, multitasking,etc...)
• - using ALL of your free memory to efficiently run programs and do disk caching. You no longer have to commit yourself to allocating a fixed portion of memory for disk caching on startup because LINUX does this automatically, and can change the cache size when you run memory intensive apps.
• - supports job control, math-coprocessor emulation, virtual consoles,and a Virtual filesystem, supporting a wide variety of filesystems simultaneously(including access to MS-DOS files and cd-roms(ISO-9660)).
• - GCC, a C compiler, from GNU (GNU's General Public Licence is what makes and keeps LINUX freely available to all of us). You can teach yourself C programming, and since all of the C source code,In which LINUX was written, is available also, LINUX is recomended to anyone who is interested in programming (without spending big bucks for a commercial product) LINUX can also do GNU C, GNU C++,Lisp, Perl, Objective-C, Java, Python, Tcl/Tk, ANSI Basic, Chipmunk basic, Fortran, Pascal and ADA!:.)
• - Runs Xfree86, The ultimate windowing system.

If this sounds like fun, then maybe LINUX is for you. But be WARNED, LINUX is not bug-free, shrink wrapped,self-installing(some automation is provided),user-friendly,or Intuitive (unless you're already used to unix).

Applications for Linux...

There are many applications available for Linux. It supports a wide range of software, including X Windows, Emacs, TCP/IP networking (including SLIP/PPP/ISDN),games like DOOM and abuse, and lots more. There is also some emulators in development. Soon you will be able to run DOS and Windows apps on Linux. There are not many commercial apps for Linux (which is probably just as well...) but there are some. Most software available for Linux is freely distributed.

Where do I get it?

Linux is available over the Internet from hundreds of ftp sites, and from various vendors on floppies or on CD-ROM. The Linux kernel is covered by the GNU Public License, and usually comes with many diffrent programs and utilities. These software bundles are called distributions. If you are convinced that you want to install Linux then you should read some more documentation found at the Linux Home Page.. The you are ready to either download the software or purchace a CD-ROM distribution. CD-ROM distributions are easier to install and provide you with everything you need.And for more info goto my Linux Software page.