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Linux: What You Want To Know

Is Linux Difficult To Use?

Look and Feel

Some users have been mislead into believing that, should they use Linux instead of Windows, they will have to relearn everything. The look and feel of software cannot be owned by any company. The result is that many Linux products look and feel like their Windows counterparts with the same menus, the same icons, etc. Compare Evolution and Outlook or StarOffice 6.0 and Microsoft Office. Linux products do not always behave like their Windows counterparts. For instance Evolution will not automatically execute a program (which might be a virus). Neither will Evolution send a virus to everyone in your address book.

Choices

Some might perceive Linux to be more difficult because it has more options. If you want Microsoft Windows, you must buy it from Microsoft or someone they authorize. Linux is available from many different sources.

Distributions

While Linux is basically the same regardless of its source, each distribution has different software packaged with it. Some software is unique for the distribution. In some cases, the operating system has been changed with certain functionality added or removed, or certain configuration settings pre-set. It may be customized for different types of users and for different purposes. With each distribution is a description of any special use for which it may be customized. Any user of Linux seems to be glad to give advice about which is the best one. Many cities have a Linux users' group, a computer society with a Linux special interest group (SIG), or both. The sources of the different distributions will tell you what they think are their strengths.

General-purpose Distributions

While there are literally hundreds of Linux distributions, those who are considering an alternative to Microsoft Windows have a shorter list to consider. Following is a list that is by no means exhaustive. It does include the most popular.

1. Red Hat (USA)
   
   Many, if not most, users in this country are choosing this distribution from Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. It may be downloaded from their web site, or may be obtained on two to five CDs, depending on what you want. More software than that which is on the CDs may be downloaded at no cost from the Internet.
   
   
2. Suse (Germany)
   
   Those who live in countries where Internet access is quite expensive may well choose this distribution, because it comes with around 10 CDs full of software.
   A user of Suse has suggested that those considering this distribution have some understanding of how Germans think. We don't pretend to know what is meant by that comment.
   
   
3. Mandrake (France)
   
   Some people think of Mandrake as Red Hat on steroids. While packages designed for Red Hat are compiled for computers as old as a 386, Mandrake requires at least a Pentium II or equivalent. Mandrake appears to favor the KDE desktop over GNOME, while Red Hat seem to favor GNOME.
   
   
4. Caldera (Canada)
   
   This company bills themselves as "Linux for Business."
   
   
5. Lindows (USA)
   
   This company has been in the news recently. They are aggressively trying to market a replacement for Windows. Microsoft sued them over their name and lost. One thing that sets Lindows apart is that it is not called "Linux," and it is sold rather than distributed for free.
   
   

Desktops

Most general-purpose distributions come with several desktops. Microsoft gives you one. Choosing which one and deciding which options within the one you choose may be considered difficult. The user may switch from one desktop to another and configure each one to taste.

Summary

If having this level of customizing ability makes Linux difficult, then one may always accept the defaults.