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Email your questions @ jonid@mail.com and soon you'll see your question answered
I will try to answer here to the most common questions we get about Linux.
I'm not authoritative about Linux in any way. These are my answers: I can make mistake and I can be partial.
I don't provide extensive answers. I prefer to provide guidelines.
How can I get Linux?
Basically, they are two ways to get Linux:
- You can download it.
You can download Linux for free. However, there is a lot to download (the
equivalent of one or more CDs) so you should have a fast Internet connection if
you want to download it.
- You can get it on CD.
Linux is free software: nobody can sell it. But you can be charged for the
packaging. Also, people can add software to Linux to make it easier to use. Then
they can charge you for this added software. That's why you will have to buy for
Linux on CDs.
You can buy Linux on CDs on the Internet, or in a computer store.
Some links:
Distributions:
http://www.suse.com/
http://www.mandrake-linux.com/
http://www.redhat.com/
Others:
http://www.winlinux.net/
http://linux.corel.com/
How can I use Linux if I already use Windows?
You can have both Windows and Linux on the same hard drive.
Linux can be used on a DOS partition (I never used it that way). But it's best
to have two partitions dedicated to Linux: one for Linux, and one for the swap.
If you don't have free partitions on your drive, you have to reduce the size of you existing dos/windows partitions. You can use a software to repartition you hard disk without destroying the data already on it.
Fips (a free software running on MS-DOS) is one of this software. It's is provided with most Linux distributions. Defragment your hard drive, then use Fips to make room for Linux. Be cautious! There is no guaranty that Fips will not destroy all the data on the drive so you should backup your data before using it. Normally, Fips works fine.
If Fips cannot deal with your particular configuration, you can use a commercial software like Partition Magic. http://www.powerquest.com/
Or repartition your hard drive from scratch. Or buy another hard drive.
Then install Linux and configure it so you can dual boot: each time you boot you choose which operating system you want to boot.
Can I use applications like Office 2000 with Linux?
No. There must be a Linux version of the application you want to use.
Microsoft see Linux as a threat so there is little chance you will see their
software running on Linux.
However, they are office suites running on Linux.
Can I access the Internet with Linux?
Yes. Linux is build from the ground up for Internet use. To make your
connection, use wvdial, dip, kppp and others.
Then use Netscape to browse.
Off course, you can still reboot and surf with Windows if you prefer (if you have a dual-boot).
