What is Linux?

Linux is an open source operating system kernel. And operating system (OS) is the heart of your computer's software that controls how the software acts and interacts with your computer's hardware. MS-DOS, Windows 95, 98 and MacOS X and other unixes like Solaris, HPUX and AIX are other examples of what an operating system is.

On top of that software core are other applications that help build a complete distribution of Linux. These applications and libraries include low level system libraries and commands, command line commands for a non-GUI environment all the way up to X windows and Gnome or KDE, which make up a graphical desktop environment simular to Windows or MacOS.

Most Linux distributions are comprised of all open source software. While Linux was written by Linus Torvalds and others, all these other applications that make up a complete distribution where written by thousands of others collaborating over the Internet. This shows the distributed nature of open source development and how successful it can be.

For over 13 years, Linux users have found a more enjoyable computer experience under Linux through its more stable and configurable environment.

So why doesn't everybody use it?

In the 90s, installing Linux was met with frustration because of the large variety of hardware that Linux had to try to support. Many people had trouble getting their video and sound working. But since then, Linux has had enough time to grow and take on thousands of hardware drivers to the point where it even supports some hardware that Windows does not.

Also because of the way Linux software is distributed, a lot of people don't know how to put Linux on their computer, where to get it or even that it is there to begin with. Once they do know, and have it installed, a lot of users are uncomfortable with learning a new environment, figuring out what programs are available and leaving their old OS behind.

Other people want to play games or specific pieces of software sold in a store that don't run on Linux and currently have no Linux equivilent. However, this is changing as more and more game developers are starting to release Linux versions of their games including Neverwinter Nights, Unreal Tournament 2004, America's Army and some others.

With a little work, you can make your computer experience much more enjoyable rather than having to put up with the pains and tribulations of propriatary software like Microsoft Windows. Many people are starting to switch because of the unbearable problem with Viruses, Spyware and Adware under Windows that just doesn't exist under Linux. They pain of the switch to Linux is only temporary where as Windows suckiness is permanent and will probably never change no matter what they say.

Eventually everyone may be using Linux or some other open source operating system.The beauty of open source is that it does not require everyone to use it. As long as there are those people interested in actively using Linux and developing for it, it will move on.

Try it for yourself

If you want to see Linux for yourself and try it out, our Linux demonstration computer in our office is a good start. Come by during our business hours and we'll give you a demonstration and let you use it.