Tux, the
Linux mascot

Linux

• Choosing Linux - distributions and desktop environments
• Linux resources - software, hardware, books

Linux® is an open source freeware version of the Unix multi-user operating system.

Linux runs on the Intel and compatible processors used in ordinary PCs, and on other processors, and was first distributed in 1991. In theory, you could download the free Linux kernel and other associated free software from the Internet, and put together a system on your own. Most people will want to take advantage of ready-to-install CD and DVD Linux distributions that are available.

Linux is a free alternative to Microsoft Windows, and includes efficient mini-distributions that run well on obsolescent computers Microsoft has abandoned, but if you want to master Linux you will need to learn a completely new paradigm.

Unix systems were the original foundation of the Internet, and many ISPs rely on servers running Linux and the Apache open source Web server. Linux also includes a module called Samba, which allows Linux computers to function transparently as robust file servers on an otherwise Windows network system.