Linux is a free of cost, open source operating system. Linux is in a class of operating systems that the community calls *nix because it is very similar in it’s structure and functioning as the Unix operating system. Examples of *nix systems are Linux, BSD, NetBSD, Minix, Solaris 10, SunOS and many others. IBM now uses *nix (specifically an in house version of Linux) exclusively in it’s line of commercial server systems. Interestingly, Apple chose to use BSD as part of the foundation of their OSX operating system that runs on their Macintosh computers. Many folks that know a bit about the subject feel that this is part of the reason that OSX is more secure and stable on the internet than Windows. I agree with this assessment.

To be fair, I should say that I use Windows for some comparisons not because I am a Windows basher, but because it’s the operating system that most people are familiar with.

One of the things that makes *nix systems such as Linux unique is it’s ability to be completely customized by the users. Much of this can be done without modifying a single line of computer code. That’s because the system is completely modular, and allows for amazing flexibility in the way it functions and interacts with the user. For instance, a Windows user has to use the familiar Windows desktop even if it dosen’t meet their needs (or wants). There is no choice because the desktop is integrated into the heart of the operating system itself. This isn’t the case with Linux. *Nix users have a choice of any of many desktops available, Or even to write the code for one of their own. That’s because the desktop isn’t a part of the kernel, the heart of the operating system itself. Desktop isn’t really a complete description, but I’ll stick with it to keep things easy. Linux may be customized to be very feature rich, or very lean and specialized. That’s why it can be used in home computers and equally well in such specialized applications as video games, satellite converters, and automated factory welding systems.

There are other examples like this. This lends itself to one of the core philosophies of the Open Source community; that software should offer it’s users choice, rather than restrictions. Linux also lends itself to many, many different distributions. A distribution is a combination of the modular components and user interfaces used to make a unique version of Linux. It’s not just a different box for the same product. It’s a different flavor of Linux that is based on different design priorities. A good analogy are vehicles. Sports cars and pickup trucks both have an engine, steering wheel and seats. But they have many differences because they are customized to meet the needs of the person that uses them.

Linux distributions share common characteristics with each other. They have an engine (the Kernel), seats (the software that supports the desktop) and a common basic command structure that functions like UNIX (the steering wheel). But there are lots of options that can be changed. The Upholstery can be leather or cloth (choose your desktop) the engine can be beefy, or light and fuel efficient (full featured or specialized) and the steering wheel may tilt (same set of commands, but different command handling). There are many different distribution because there are many people with different priorities, wants, and needs. Perhaps most interesting of all, a user can even modify and compile their own kernel, and roll their own distribution. It’s not hard to see the advantages of a system like this.

One thing I find very useful is the concept of a live disk. Linux is so lean and versatile that it can be run right from a CDrom. In fact, distributions like Ubuntu, my personal favorite, run from a CD that starts up when the computer starts. A live disk loads the operating system from the CD and you run the full system right off the CD as if it were installed on your hard drive. When Ubuntu Linux is running as a live CD, you have all the functions of the full installation without the ability to access your hard drive at all. You simply cannot affect your hard drive even if you wanted to, which means you can’t lose anything off of it by accident. You can keep a live disk with you to give to a friend or to use on any computer anywhere. If you decide you like Ubuntu, you install the whole system to your hard drive from the live CD. Another advantage is that you can use the live CD as a rescue disk in case something unfortunate happens. There are many distributions that come on live CD’s.

Here’s a few reasons why Linux shines:

• It’s fast. It doesn’t slow down with time or repeated installs and uninstalls of applications.
• It’s very resistant to viruses and other types of malicious code. Infections just don’t happen.
• It has a very efficient way of handling your files. You never have to defragment your drive(s).
• It is very robust. As hard as this is to believe. It never crashes, locks up, or needs periodic reinstalls.
• It has a very effective firewall that runs in the background whenever your computer is on.
• It’s secure. It’s very difficult to successfully attack a proper installation remotely.
• All of your “stuff” is locked away from others. Only you can get at your files, because only you own them.
• The open source community doesn’t believe that others should make your choices for you. Freedom of information is at the core of our beliefs. Linux users routinely use their computers to do things that have been made intentionally difficult or impossible to accomplish in other operating systems.

Ubuntu is my Linux of choice. It’s not by any means the only distribution of Linux available. I have used many distributions of Linux, and found Ubuntu to be by far the easiest to install and use, and the best supported. Frequent updates and new software are available from the Ubuntu community, and a new version is released about every three years, although the old versions don’t get orphaned by the new ones. Unfortunately, that is one of the weaknesses of Windows. I have encouraged people to use Ubuntu through three releases and given out many a disk to friends and coworkers. They in turn, have been so happy with it that they have passed it on to their friends. It’s amazingly smooth and easy to use. It’s fully setup and ready to go from the first boot up, no configuration necessary.

There is much more, but it’s fun to discover these these things personally. I hope you’ll be a part of the community!