Lots to like in Linux

Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning that it's freely available for installation, perusal and adaptation by anyone with the inclination and the know-how to do so. It was developed and distributed by Linus Torvalds, after whom it is named. It was then completed by enthusiasts worldwide, who continue to write applications for Linux.

Windows, by contrast, attempts to keep its design hidden from view. We certainly couldn't envisage Microsoft making its underlying code available to all and sundry to pick apart at will.

Linux was always seen as an also-ran OS, at least for less tech-savvy PC users. It didn't offer the same ease of use as either the Mac OS or Windows. Nor did it come preinstalled on a PC – something that the likes of Dell and HP have dabbled in and, in the former's case, are looking to push ahead with later this year, albeit in a limited way.

Another issue with Linux is that versions of it varied depending on the build or distribution you bought or downloaded. Red Hat and Suse are among the best known, but Ubuntu has been making great strides and it can be run from a bootable CD.

Such distributions are going a long way to change Linux's reputation for being difficult and complex to install and use. Ubuntu's bootable Desktop CD lets you find out whether or not you'll like Linux – and whether Linux will like your PC – without installing anything to the hard disk.

A few clicks more make room for Ubuntu and set it up on your hard drive, alongside Windows or the Mac OS (See Enough Ubuntu already, below). Once the Linux system is in place, a couple of simple applications let you choose from and install hundreds of free programs, including productivity, multimedia and development tools.

Another popular distribution, Novell's OpenSuse, provides configuration utilities and libraries of applications that are nearly as easy to navigate as Ubuntu's. Both Linux distributions deliver frequent bug fixes and automatic updates.

And visually-minded Linux fans can choose from dozens of user interfaces, chief among them KDE and Gnome. Both interfaces are evolving steadily, borrowing good ideas from each other as well as from Apple and Microsoft.
Despite its reputation, with its minimal hardware requirements and solid security Linux is more than capable of serving as a bullet-proof primary operating system. And with painless dual-booting and virtualisation options, including several free and open-source applications and the kernel-based Xen software, you can easily try out the latest in Linux without having to abandon your current operating system.

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