Um...What is linux?

I know i sound stupid but im always hearing ppl talk about this LiNux OS
and i just wan to know what it is, where to get it, Is it better (than xp), and anything else you can throw in

Linux is an Operating System based on Unix, the source code for linux is made freely available, therefore you are legally allowed to own/distribute copies of the source code, you are also free to modify it. (Linux is one of the most successful examples of open-source software)



That is a matter of opinion, Linux has a much steeper learning curve than that of XP, but the advantages include customizibility etc. The best thing for you to do if you're interested in trying linux is to use one of the live cd's, knoppix is a good one. A live cd is an entire operating system which fits on a cd, you don't have to partition/install etc. it'll boot and run directly from the cd.

You might be interested in reading gnu.org fsf.org and maybe linux.org, you can find a list of mirrors for linux iso's at linuxiso.org, or you can download via bittorrent at tlm-project.org.

..............You do know your talking to a person than knows nothing in programing or what ever you were talking about.
could you say it like... you were talking to a retard What the Hellicopter is a sorce code?

its an alternate operating system.
its free to use. [legally]
you can modify any part of it because it is under and open source license [anti-microsoft]
harder to use [steeper learning curve

the "live cds" are linux operating systems that fit on the cd
they dont have to be installed on the computer and run directly from said cd
they are used by people like me and you , complete n00bs to the subject
they are used to give a general idea of what linux is

b.t.w. , sick personal message!

je me suggesterai knoppix

http://www.knoppix.org/ for information

and http://torrent.unix-ag.uni-kl.de/ for download via bt

sorry bout the [really really bad] french back there. i think it means i will suggest

whats that suppost to mean?

i like the message that is apparent at the end of all your posts

and twinkies lead to fat bellies ^_^
which leads to more doobies b/c of fat bellies.
never ending cycle.
too ruthless.

for you average user I would recommend Windows. I want to stay away from calling it more user friendly but it really is (mainly because of the ease of finding help files and programs for it).

For a more advanced user or someone looking for a specfic system (i.e. web server, file server, etc) I would recommend Linux. Because it holds a lower share in the market very few Mal ware writers pay attention to it, also it has some inherient security features over Windows. but it is much harder to learn and use.

If your looking for something already built and operation, use Windows.

If you want the o/s to do your own thing, use unix

a.k.a. for n00bs / braindead general public who when they go to use a computer pose the question "how do i turn it on?"
also for gamers as most games are made for windows


thats mostly true, but there is versions of linux such as Xandros which is pretty user friendly also. and the installation is actually EASIER than Windows (any version). it also looks and feels similar to windows, but still has that linux zing however, when i used it, i felt too restricted and i went back to using Fedora

I remember when I needed to install new video drivers in Redhat 9 boy that was fun figureing out how to do that..... lol

If you can use google and have a reasonable level of computer knowledge I'd say that many things are actually easier in Linux than they are in Windows. Linux is a lot less restrictive.

yes, but redhat 9 is how old now? lol Fedora Core 4 is released in 2 days and thats redhats replacement for the free version of redhat, so yea.. things have changed.
although figuring out how to install my radeon drivers was interesting..until i found a "how to" on fedoraforum.org's website

Just install one for yourself as what I did to learn about linux!

http://lifeasprogrammer.blogspot.com/2005/06/redhat-9.html