Linux Overview
Linux is an operating system similar to Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X. It was originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Linux is free and licensed under the GPL. The GPL requires that anyone who distributes Linux must make the source code (and any modifications) available to the recipient under the same terms.
Today thousands of people all over the world are contributing and constantly working to improve Linux and other open source applications that often go hand in hand together.
Linux is packaged up into distributions, which can be installed on your computer like any other operating system. Some of the most widespread Linux distributions for desktops are: Arch Linux, OpenSUSE, Fedora, Mandriva, Debian and its derivatives Ubuntu and Linux Mint.
If you are interested in giving Linux a try for your Desktop / Laptop, I would recommend Linux Mint. Very easy to use and has a similar feel to windows.
If you are looking for a server OS most distributions take a look at some of the following: Gentoo, Slackware, Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat (RHEL), or its clones CentOS and Scientific Linux.
A Linux distribution map can show you where your favorite Linux distro came from. (Image Below from: http://futurist.se/gldt/)
Market Share:
Linux has the largest market share for web servers today. Most websites use Linux for hosting websites and cloud services.
http://w3techs.com/technologies/history_overview/operating_system
Linux is growing in the desktop environment but still only hold about 3% of the desktop market share. This is due to the fact that not many companies sell Linux pre-installed.
One area that has had a huge growth for Linux is smart phones. Android phones and tablets run the Linux Kernel. On average (June 2011) a half a million android phones are activated daily.
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9217994/Half_a_million_Android_sm...
How can Linux be free?
When Linus Torvalds created the UNIX like kernel he licensed it under GNU General Public License. The advantage of this license is you have the access to all the code that run the program as well as you can study, edit, and modify it. Unlike Microsoft you can not even view 99% of the code. One thing you are not able to do is resell any of the code.
Here is a little more detail I found from http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html
Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change and improve the software. More precisely, it means that the program's users have the four essential freedoms:
The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
The freedom to study how the program works, and change it to make it do what you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
Companies like Red Hat, Oracle and SUSE sell a version Linux but actually sell you the support and not the Operating System itself. Same goes for the companies that sell a Linux install CDs. They are selling you the cost to provide services of taking orders, burning the disc and shipping it.
Almost all Linux distributions can downloaded on the Internet for free and burn to a disk or USB devicef. You will be getting an Operating system and software and only paying a few cents for the CD and bandwidth to download it.
If you have an hour to spare check out the Revolution OS and The Origins of Linux. They have some great information about the histor of Linux and open source software. You also get to see a lot of people that helped drive open source to what it is today.
Why is Linux so secure?
Windows was originally created for a single user environment and then poorly warped to fit the multiple user model. In the days of using dumb terminals, multiple users could login to UNIX machines and share resources. Security was importatant from day one and strongly implemented from the start. Linux is a form of UNIX and created off a very similar model.
When you look at the open source model the code that runs the application is available to anyone who uses it. This opens more opportunities for eyes to review the code and catch security flaws in the code. Unlike with proprietary software only the team that created it can catch an issue.
When you look at Microsoft's model or any proprietary project they just have a set number of developers. The underlying code is not available to others to review or change so it is up to the small number of developers to catch the security flaws. With open source you have thousands if not millions of people reviewing it and working to improve it every day.
Another reason you are more secure is the ratio of Microsoft users to Linux users. If I was a hacker and I wanted to get the most bang for my buck. I would go out and write a virus aimed at windows because they own the largest market share for desktops.
How can you customize it?
With Linux being open source, you are free to edit, customize, and add to the existing code. There are tons of open source applications available to help you along the way.
Linux is a very flexible and scalable. It can be run on anything from a small hand-held device to a super computer. You can customize the services your system runs, the look and feel of your desktop or even how an open source application completes a task.
It is important to know that you do not need to be a developer of any sort to use Linux. Many setting and tasks can all be completed with a single click of your mouse. The large Linux community can offer help along the way. They may point you in the direction of a project being worked on or supply you with some custom code to help you complete your custom task.
There are many different Linux distributions available, each one with its own features and default software installed. These distributions have been bundled up in a way that the developers felt would best fit the users needs or of its target audience. In the process they have a decided what default software, package manager, desktop environment, and how it will look. The nice part is, if you don't like it you can always change it swap it out with something else. A great example of this would be desktop like XFCE, KDE, Unity, Gnome2 and Gnome 3.
Here are a few examples of some appearance changes you could do. (Ubuntu 11.04 Examples)
Making Ubuntu look like windows 7:
Making Ubuntu Linux look like a Mac:
Is There Support?
Company such as Red Hat, Oracle, Novell SUSE and Ubuntu are corporation driven Linux distribution. They sell you the operating system support. This includes updates as well as if something breaks you can hold some one accountable.
With community driven distributions like such as Debian, Linux Mint, CentOS, and most other Linux distributions are supported by the community. Tools such as forms, IRC chats, and mailing list are used to post questions and struggles. It is really amazing how great these communities are and how so many people will bend over backwards to help a stranger out.
The Link below you will find some quick community support information for some popular Linux distributions.
Finding Support: http://mixeduperic.com/linux/finding-support-linux.html
What is a good starter Linux Distributions?
If this is your first time giving Linux a try, I would recommend a distro that you can get on a live boot disc. This would allow you to try it out and see if what it is like without installing it or messing with your current system. Another great benefit of a Linux on a live boot disc is it allows you to test out your hardware and make sure everything works out of the box. It would give you an idea if any drivers would need to be manually loaded.
Today most Linux distributions come with a live boot option on the install disc such as Linux Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora and OpenSuSE.
Other distributions such as Gparted, knoppix and backtrack are often just used by booting it off the CD. Some common task would include repairing computers, security testing as well as just secure browsing in a public place.
If you are ready to take the plunge and install Linux locally on your computer I would recommend starting with a distribution like Linux Mint. By default it takes care of installing a lot of the non open source add-ons such as mp3 Codecs, Java and Adobe flash player.
Another tip is to stick with a distribution with a large number of users. If you run into a problem then more then likely someone else has already had that issue and found a solution.
Take a look at http://distrowatch.com to find other Linux distributions as well as see what the popular ones are today.
Who is Using Linux?
You may be using Linux everyday and not even know it. If you have used an android Phone, TiVo, and many network routers use the Linux Kernel. If you are viewing this page you are visiting a Linux web server. Google runs there servers and many of their desktops on Linux There are a lot of large companies that have made the change as well. Take a look at the Who Has changed article.
Http://mixeduperic.com/who-has-changed.html
Why are more people not Using Linux?
I think most people don't use Linux is because they don't know that it exist or what it is. If you go to your local Bestbuy or home electronic store, you don't see advertising for a new release of a Linux system, nor can you even purchase a machine that has Linux Installed. You don't turn on your TV see these annoying ads trying to sell you another new version of the operating system. There is no corporate agenda behind its releases and improvements. Linux is spread by the community of the people working on it and using it.
Microsoft has such a monopoly in the computer world. It is almost impossible to get a computer without Microsoft XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Your best bet has often been to just build your own machine.
Things are starting to change a little and you are seeing companies like Dell selling Linux preinstalled. However it is very limited and only available on a handful of the models.
Another reason someone may not be using Linux is they need to run proprietary software that has not been created to run on Linux and does not have an open source alternative. It seems like an endless circle of what came first, the large software companies creating more applications for the Linux platform or the large user-base demanding the application to be created for Linux?
If you have not given Linux a try I would really recommended it. Linux has so much to offer and why pay big dollars for your OS that offers so much less but requires so much more.