Linux is essentially a "free" non commercial system, although you can buy commercial software for it.

One advantage that Linux has is that it is a much more secure system than Windows. So far it has been virtually virus free. It also provides added security against hackers! Linux systems are not vulnerable to the Bugbear virus, which only attack Windows programs.

In 1991 a Finnish student at Helsinki University, called Linus Torvalds decided to build his own operating system. He based this on another system called "Minix"; and Linux was born.

Linux is "Open Source Software" released under the "GNU Public License". Such software is free and may be used as part of another package covered by the same license.

The Linux system is much more stable than Windows. It is used by many servers, needing a reliable system, which can operate 24 hours a day without crashing. Nor does Linux suffer from the same security concerns, which have plagued successive versions of Windows. Linux is often preferred by firms, who run servers; but you can use it for the "Desktop" too.

In the past, Linux was a difficult system to use. You had to use the "command line", "mount" your drives, etc. However, this has changed. Linux now offers desktops similar to Windows. In fact, on Linux you get a choice of desktops. The two best known are called KDE and GNOME.

You can get Linux from a number of different "distributions". These are generally commercial firms issuing the operating system, often for free. Many companies have also developed a range of software for use with Linux. The best known is probably Red Hat. (Their operating system is called "Fedora".) Other well known Linux distributions include  SUSE and Mandriva.

Linux is now very easy to install. Easier than Windows! With some set-ups, you can even install the system on your Windows partition; or your installation disc can partition your hard drive for you. In recent years "Live" CDs have become common: these run directly from a CD or DVD, and do not need to be installed at all.

Office packages are now available for Linux, including SUN's Star Office and the related Open Office. Other packages, for example Textmaker, are now being developed for Linux. In addition, packages that now come with distributions will offer office suites too (for example KOffice, which now comes with the KDE desktop). Abiword is another word-processor for Linux. It's worth trying. Unfortunately, some packages are no longer updated, for example Hancom's office suite. WordPerfect used to be available too.

The next page provides some Linux links, so you can learn more. Click here.