Linux is free, right?

[Croton]

Linux is free to d/l and use, right?

I am building a new box, and I wanna try out linux and see how that goes........

can someone point me in the right direction?

Where can i d/l it?

Where can I learn how to use LInux?

thx guys.

ning

 

[pulse8]

Mandrake Linux

 

[Heisenberg]

Yeah, its free. Check out linuxiso.org for downloads of serveral different distro's.

 

[notfred]

Look here.

 

[minendo]

Link

The above mirror has many versions of Linux available.

 

[Blayze]

I use the site that Heisenberg mentioned.

I personally like Mandrake, but I am a super newbie at Linux

 

[Croton]

what are the differences between the mandrake and redhat versions?

 

[minendo]

Mandrake is probably the most user-friendly for newbies.

 

[Croton]

what re the specific advantages of running linux vs. windows xp?

i'm not trying to start an O/S war here AT ALL.

i just want the facts please.

thx

 

[silveronsilver]

<< what re the specific advantages of running linux vs. windows xp? >>



Windows XP has spyware, Linux does not.

Windows XP is horribly insecure and at risk for thousands of viruses, Linux is not.

Windows XP requires online registration, Linux does not.

Windows XP forces you to sign up for a Microsoft Passport, Linux does not.

Windows XP is limited to the x86 architecture, Linux is not.

Windows XP is NOT FREE, Linux is FREE.

 

[Heisenberg]

A major concern (especially around here) is gaming. If you do a lot of gaming, you have to run some version of Windows. There are linux versions or variants available for most other applications save some specialized graphics/CAD/design type stuff.

Edit: Of course, you can always dual boot.

 

[lowlevel]

More efficient use of system resources, for one thing.

Additionally, a large portion of software that you find for Linux will be either freeware or VERY inexpensive (unless you plan on buying ISP accounting software or something of that nature).

Stability is another, although WinXP is an EXPONENTIAL step up if you're moving from Win9x to an NT platform for the first time. If you have experience with NT or Win2K, then you've got a good idea of what to expect.

I use both, but being a gamer, I tend to be in XP a lot.

 

[KnickNut3]

This may be another newbie question, but why is it free? Are there ads inbedded in it or something?

 

[minendo]

<< This may be another newbie question, but why is it free? Are there ads inbedded in it or something? >>


nope its just all open source code

 

[atom]

I really don't think there is a good reason to run linux over windows 2k or XP for home use. I mean yeah, stability and security may be better in Linux but honestly, have you as a home user ever been hacked? I started with Linux for two reasons really:

1. I wanted to learn something new.
2. It's helpful for CS major since a lot of stuff is done in Linux.

EDIT: as for resources, I used the Book "Running Linux" (I think it's in it's 3rd edition). Also I like www.linuxnewbie.org. It's a good beginner resource IMO.

 

[pulse8]

Sorta off-topic to the thread, but one of my favorite Fox Trots:

Here

 

[Croton]

don't get me wrong -- my main box runs XP. i want to mess w/linux w/another box i'm building just because i've always been meaning to , but put it off a lot fo times.

 

[silveronsilver]

<< I really don't think there is a good reason to run linux over windows 2k or XP for home use. >>



If all your friends know how to run Unix-like systems (and they probably do) and if you don't, you are the dummy.

You will lose out on lucrative jobs & be unable to run cutting-edge Linux software that is simply not available for Windows & fail to impress chicks.

Linux is free because programmers who believe in freedom write free software for everyone to use freely.

 

[Gillbot]

<< Yeah, its free. Check out linuxiso.org for downloads of serveral different distro's. >>

 

[Blayze]

<< Windows XP has spyware, Linux does not. >>



What spyware? I know about the activation, but spyware!? are you sure?

 

[Heisenberg]

<< This may be another newbie question, but why is it free? Are there ads inbedded in it or something? >>



It's not exactly free in the general sense of the word; it has to do with the license (GNU) it was developed under. If you want to read about it, go to gnu.org.

 

[atom]

<<

<< I really don't think there is a good reason to run linux over windows 2k or XP for home use. >>



If all your friends know how to run Unix-like systems (and they probably do) and if you don't, you are the dummy.

You will lose out on lucrative jobs & be unable to run cutting-edge Linux software that is simply not available for Windows & fail to impress chicks.

Linux is free because programmers who believe in freedom write free software for everyone to use freely. >>



The scary thing is I'm not sure if you're joking or not................

 

[silveronsilver]

<< What spyware? I know about the activation, but spyware!? are you sure? >>



Yes, a German consulting firm did some tests and detected that Windows XP secretly exchanges information with Microsoft servers using 128-bit crypto.

The built-in firewall ignores these communications, pretending that they are not taking place.

In other words, Windows XP is spyware.

 

[ultimatebob]

<<

<< what re the specific advantages of running linux vs. windows xp? >>



Windows XP has spyware, Linux does not.

Windows XP is horribly insecure and at risk for thousands of viruses, Linux is not.

Windows XP requires online registration, Linux does not.

Windows XP forces you to sign up for a Microsoft Passport, Linux does not.

Windows XP is limited to the x86 architecture, Linux is not.

Windows XP is NOT FREE, Linux is FREE. >>



Wow, talk about a one-sided arguement. It would have been nice to at least MENTION that Linux isn't as easy to use as Windows XP, or that most commercial software and games aren't available for it. Besides, Windows XP isn't nearly insecure as you are making it out to be, and it doesn't FORCE you to sign up for a Passport.

 

[silveronsilver]

<< The scary thing is I'm not sure if you're joking or not................ >>



I'm not joking. These days, MCSE idiots are a dime a dozen. The best way to prove your competence to a potential employer is to demonstrate that you know how to use Unix-like systems.