Here you will find some answers to commonly asked questions:
- What is Linux?
- Linux (often pronounced LIH-nuhks with a short "i") is a Unix-like operating system 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. Linux's kernel (the central part of the operating system) was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. To complete the operating system, Torvalds and other team members made use of system components developed by members of
the Free Software Foundation for the GNU Project. - What kind of software is available for Linux?
- The typical Linux desktop comes with many packages including:
Mozilla Firefox - for all your internet browsing needs.
Mozilla Thunderbird - for all your emailing.
OpenOffice.org - an office productivity suite.
MySQL - A world-class SQL database Server.
The GIMP - a brilliant photo editing tool.
The above list is only touch on the many applications available for Linux. - I need to use a Windows application, what can I do?
- There are a few options to get those "legacy" applications to run on Linux.
Wine is an application that will allow some windows applications such as
Microsoft Office 2003 to function in Linux. It is possible to configure many windows applications to function perfectly in Wine.
