Linux for Beginners

If you are a Windows user looking for a Linux environment that's not a radical change from what you're used to, try Ubuntu. Ubuntu bills itself as "Linux for Human Beings" and strives to do away with the widely held notions that Linux is just for geeks, or not ready for prime time. Ubuntu (pronounced oo-boon-too) is a complete Linux-based operating system, available free of charge, and focused on usability, regular releases, and ease of installation. The name is an African word meaning "humanity to others".

Although Ubuntu includes more than 16,000 pieces of software, it still fits on a single CD. In addition to the Linux operating system and graphical interface, you'll find desktop applications such as the Firefox web browser, OpenOffice for word processing and spreadsheet, graphics applications, games and programming tools. Ubuntu provides an easy-to-use graphical installer CD, and should take less than 25 minutes to set up on a typical computer.

There are several other popular Linux variants, including RedHat, SuSE and Debian. If you'd like to explore all the options, here's a site with information about where to buy or download Linux: http://www.linux.org/dist/download_info.html

More Linux Resources

If you're a gamer, and unwilling to leave a Windows environment because there is no Linux version of your favorite games, try Cedega, which allows Windows games to run on Linux seamlessly. With Cedega installed on your Linux computer, you can pop in your game CDROM, then install and play the game just as you would on a Windows system.

Taking it one step further, you can use the VMware Player to run Windows (in a window) right on your Linux desktop. It's pretty cool to see Windows running on the same screen as Linux, and you can even cut & paste, or copy files from one environment to another.

For more information on Linux history and commands, see the LowFatLinux tutorial.

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