What is Linux and how is it different from other operating systems?

I really have no idea about linux, is it better than other OS?What is Linux and how is it different from other operating systems?
Linux is a free Operating System and you dont have to pay for that like windows or mac. It is more secure and safe and even better I would say. but the only problem is it doesnot supports all the programs like windows.
Linux is an Operating system, or more accurately the kernel...

Any operating system has advantages and disadvantages...Linux is better in some things, worse in others.

Linux comes usually wrapped with a number of other tools that can give you a Desktop Operating system (so that it can be used on computers with windows, mice keyboards), a server operating system (e.g. Webserver or email server or search engine), an embedded system (in TVs, Routers, etc) a phone Operating system etc.



How is it different.

1) it is free (to use, copy, modify, distribute, etc)

2) it is secure (no viruses of significance)

3) it is easily scalable (most supercomputers use it)

4) it is very customisable...people have produced literally thousands of versions for a multituide of functions..there are 100s of desktop versions of Linux

5) It is not Windows or OSX...so it is unfamiliar to most people...which is why most people dont try it

6) there are very few commercial games and applications for Linux (they target more common platforms)



Like any other operating system, to get the most out of it, you need to learn it. The unfamiliarity tends to make it difficult to learnWhat is Linux and how is it different from other operating systems?
It is a Unix-Like operating system. There are may distributions of Linux... the top 100 can be found at http://www.distrowatch.com . Better or not is really a difference of opinion and the use. For gaming.. it is not so great, but for general use and browsing it is a viable alternative. One great key feature is that it needs no third-party antivirus software... nope no viruses. On the flip side... it does not handle the Heavy-gaming like WOW and others. Security is its awesomeness.
Linux is a free operating system which as other have said comes in many flavours. For a basic start and to play with I would suggest Puppy linux

http://puppylinux.org/main/Download%20La鈥?/a>

You can download the .iso file to your windows computer and then burn it to a cd using a burner. If you pu this cd in your computer and then next time you start the computer it will start from Puppy. (You may need to enter BIOS and tell the pc to start from CD drive first)The first time you use it it will need to store some files on your pc but the next time it will be faster.

It will take a while to learn how to use it but if you don't like it then you can just take the CD out and then delete the files which it set up on your computer.

If you like using puppy then you can look at one of the bigger systems

Loads of info here

http://distrowatch.com/What is Linux and how is it different from other operating systems?
If you have no clue, don't go for Linux. It's an OS that is built for free, comes in many flavors such as OpenSUSE or Ubuntu. If you're desperate to try, just download Ubuntu and install it to an USB-stick. Boot from it and look around. If you like it, download Wubi and dual-boot into it. It's not something you can be properly told about .. you have to try.
What is Linux

http://tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/cha鈥?/a>



Overall a Linux based platform can perform most tasks equally as well as a proprietary platform using OSS.



Grab a budget pack of blank DVD-R's and head to DISTROWATCH.COM download a few distros. and create some LiveDVD's

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resourc鈥?/a>

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Burnin鈥?/a>



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 11 which is based on Ubuntu 11.04. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 11 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>



Linux Mint 11 Release Notes/Installation Guide/User Guide

http://linuxmint.com/rel_katya.php



Also worth considering is Linux Mint Debian Edition



Linux Mint Debian Edition Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>



Both can as with most Linux distros. can be run from the LiveDVD without touching your Hard Drive





LUg.
Of course! I'd recommend Kubuntu or openSUSE, which both have a very user-friendly interface (known as KDE) and work perfectly well.



http://kubuntu.org

http://opensuse.org

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net
It's good if:



1. You are so stupid you need antivirus programs on Windows 7

2. You are OK with no major games other than WOW and Starcraft
It is better to google something like this



Linux is a free open source operating system