Linux (lee-nucks) is an operating system (like OS X or Windows) that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system comparable to traditional and usually more expensive UNIX systems. Linux has a reputation as a very efficient and fast-performing system. It was created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. Developed under the GNU General Public License, the source code for Linux is freely available to everyone.

The nice thing about Linux is that it can run on a wide variety of hardware from old to new. It also comes in many flavors so you can pick the one that best suits you. The website DistorWatch keeps track of all the variations and ranks them by popularity.

There are thousands of FREE software packages available and many of are very cutting edge. A Linux computer, with the right software, can well out do any Windows machine for price and performance. The trick is find everything you need.

Probably one of the most popular distributions of Linux for the average user is Ubuntu. So what I have done is taken the Ubuntu operating system and put together a list of programs that you would need to get up and running. As well as the instructions on how to install them.

 Probably the best place to get started is by reading the Unofficial Ubuntu Starter Guide