New to Linux

In summary, Linux is a Free / Open Source competitor to commercial computer Operating System such as Microsoft Windows or Apple OSX. This is probably an overly concise definition however if you've not come across Linux before, you could think of it as a free replacement for Windows, only better.

Getting Started

If you just want to see Linux in action to get a feel for what it is or what it can do, the best place to start is with a "Live CD". Assuming you already have a computer running Windows, you can download an Ubuntu Live CD image, burn it to a CD, then boot your computer off the CD. This will allow you to run a full copy of Linux without damaging your current Windows installation.

Downloading the Ubuntu Live CD

Here at Linux.co.uk, when it comes to Linux on the Desktop, were fans of the Ubuntu Linux distribution which is produced on a semi-commercial (but Free!) basis by a company called Canonical Ltd.

You can download a Free copy of the Ubuntu Live CD from;

http://releases.ubuntu.com/intrepid/

There are a number of versions available depending on what hardware you have, if you're not sure which one you need then you should probably try the PC (Intel x86) desktop CD.

Burning a Live CD

If you take a look at the BurningIsoHowto page on the Ubuntu website, it walks you through the process of acquiring and installing all the bits you need to burn a CD, then how to actually do the burning.

Getting a free CD sent to you in the post

Canonical also offer a fairly unique service whereby they will send you a free commercial quality CD in the post, they don't even charge for delivery! The caveat is that delivery can take many weeks, so only an option for those who plan their free time many months in advance.

Getting started with Knoppix

An alternative to Ubuntu is a live CD called Knoppix which is available from Knoppix.net. You can download it from this location, and once you have the image you can either follow the instructions above, or alternatively there are many generic howto's in the Internet which will tell you everything you need to know.

How to get help!

There are so many sources of help it's difficult to know where to start or what to list. For now we're just going to point you at the Help pages and Community Forums on this site and hopefully this will be all enough to get you going. Click on the on Help! or Forums at the top of the page!

What's the difference?

There are many different flavours of Linux, typically however there are only TWO major distinguishing features between all the different distributions.

• The GUI System - this is usually either Gnome or KDE
• The package management system - usually either RPM (redhat) or DEB (debian)

For example, both Ubuntu and Knoppix stem from the DEB package management system, however by default Ubuntu runs the Gnome desktop, and Knoppix runs the KDE desktop.

From a user's perspective, the package management system is generally irrelvant and it's the desktop GUI that makes all the difference, so in summary;

• Gnome - Designed for Linux, not constrained by Window'ness, more scope for creativeness
• KDE - designed to look / feel more like Windows, Windows compible API's for porting software

So if you want to get as far away from Windows as possible, Gnome is probably your best choice .. but if you're a Windows user at heart and don't want to stray too far from the fold, probably try KDE first. Please note that this is an extremely superficial and subjective explaination ...

Additional Resources

You can find a fairly comprehensive piece on Linux on Wikipedia which includes all manner of potentially interesting information if you're that way inclined. You'll also find an entry on the Wikipedia Wiki which again contains all sorts of technical background information which you may (or may not) find useful.