With the news that Google is starting to use Linux, I can now start providing information that could be useful to those interested in learning about Linux.
Today Linux is the most common Server Operating system on the internet. It is so, for many reasons, but probably the most important reason is that it does not cost anything, no licence fees are required.
Who uses Linux?
A lot of people use it, these people now have computers that work for them, not the other way around. So you ask yourself, can I have Linux?
If you have just bought a new computer or you already own one and you are in a bit of a mess with your present O/S, but you really need to get going:
but you have had enough of giving money away for something that never works properly.
but you don't have any money
but you can never get a quick strait answer
but you always end up, waiting around and never getting any where
and you want to work the way you want to work
and you don't like computer dictatorships
and you don't like blue screens
and you hate steeling
and you want better security
because you want to do it your way
because I want to
because I like to
Well, just because, etc.
95% of Linux is free to the man on the street. I will explain that another way, If you are a single individual, a student, a working individual or a small business (less than 50 employees) you are able to download and install Linux with out the guilt of steeling. If you own a multi-national company and you employ hundreds of people then a minimal licence fee will not hurt you.
Other ideals say, that you have to be rich to use computers. The Linux ideal says that you can learn computing and then become rich, I prefer the later. What do you prefer?
I have heard people say things like, "have you seen the new soft from ... it's really cool, but it will cost you.", I could give you a copy of mine. I have also heard people say; "I got a virus the other day and I lost all my data, but if I had the software from ... for a cost of ... I probably would not have lost it." These phrases will be a thing of the past once you decide to join in.
Linux has a really strong, safe and very secure central system that is continuously updated and maintained by people who really want to help you. People that are not interested in making money out of you, but are more interested in making your life easier.
Information services that provide news about Linux always try to find a way to knock it, mainly because they can not make money out of something that is free. So the next time you hear someone taking badly about Linux, ask them the name of their computer shop. ;)
When you finally decide to install Linux in your computer, you get everything you need and everything you want, not demo programs, but the whole thing, lock stock and barrel. You are not steeling it, you are not being sneaky, in fact, I think it is probably the best choice you will ever make.
One of the most important rules behind Linux and the rule that has made Linux, what it is today, is really very simple;
If you decide that you want to join in and develop any program, made by someone else, then you must give your changes back to them, so they can take advantage of your work, like you took advantage of theirs. That's fair, I think.
ONE VERY IMPORTANT PROMISE
I will only provide information about Linux on this site, you will never find information about any other operating system that doesn't use Linux.