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Linux: The Beginners Guide
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Selecting a Linux Distribution
The Linux operating system comes in many verities, which are referred to as distributions or for short distributions. All Linux distributions have the Linux kernel at their core, but each one is created and customized differently with different features and properties. There are hundreds of different distributions, each one unique in their own way. They range from command line based, like MS-DOS to full graphic user interfaces, like Windows. There are three major Linux distributions that most other distributions stem from, Debian, Slakware and Red Hat. Since the early 90s individuals, groups and companies have been building and customizing their distributions from these three. When selecting a Distribution you should consider the hardware specifications of your computer and your pre-existing knowledge of Linux. You should also ask yourself what the computer will be used for, who will be using the computer, what types of software do you need to run and what type of environment the computer will be used in. This guide focuses on home use, so here are a few of the most common distributions for this intended for this purpose.
Ubuntu
The creators of Ubuntu describe their Desktop Edition by stating on their homepage that “...you can surf the web, read email, create documents and spreadsheets, and edit images and much more. Ubuntu has a fast and easy graphical installer right on the Desktop CD. On a typical computer the installation should take you less than 25 minutes.” They also proclaim “Ubuntu 'Just Works', we’ve done all the hard work for you. Once Ubuntu is installed, all the basics are in place so that your system will be immediately.”
Ubuntu Desktop Edition is of the most popular home Linux distributions. It's a distribution primarily focusing usability which makes it a great home use. It features a very user friendly graphical interface that is very easy to learn. It's built off of the Debian which means it's is completely free and open source. Also, because of Debian's great package management system it’s easy to install, upgrade, configure or remove software in Ubuntu. Ubuntu has been around since 2004 and has quickly grown to be one of the most popular distributions because of its ease of use and support. One of the main advantages of Ubuntu over other distributions is the Ubuntu support community. The creators of Ubuntu maintain a large community forum and extensive database documentation that contains information, guides and instructions for just about anything relating to Ubuntu. Support for Ubuntu can be found at http://www.ubuntu.com/support making the transition from another operating system, like Windows to Ubuntu is extremely easy because of the Ubuntu live CD. The Ubuntu live CD allows you to try the operating system without permanently changing your computer. You simply boot to an Ubuntu CD and in a few minutes you're up and running. Should you chose to permanently keep Ubuntu, the live CD allows you to easily install it to your computer. The Live CD can be downloaded at http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
Ubuntu is a great option for a home user who wants an alternative to Windows. There are several advantages of Ubuntu over a typical Windows based computer. Ubuntu is 100% free, the updates are free and the support is free. Out of the box it comes with everything that window includes and more. It has an integrated media player for playing music and videos, as well as everything else you'd expect to come with an operating system; such as, calculator, simple text editor(like notepad in windows), image editor/ creator(like paint) and a decent verity of simple games. The creators of Ubuntu also include some great third party software; such as, Open Office, which works very similar to Microsoft office allowing you create, edit or view Microsoft, Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. Ubuntu also comes with several internet applications. Web browsing is handled by the Firefox, Instant messaging is provided by Pidgin, which can be configured to work with AOL Instant Messaging, MSN Messenger, ICQ and just about every other popular IM client. There are also several security advantages in using Ubuntu over windows.
It's not susceptible to as many types of spyware and viruses, and overall the operating system is more secure because it’s based on a Linux platform. Unlike windows Vista Ubuntu's hardware requirements are much lower; however, Ubuntu's graphical interface is far more scalable as you can enable a variety of graphical effects rivaling those of windows Vista. Overall Ubuntu is a great choice for a home that wants to make the switch to Linux, but has little knowledge about Linux or even computers in general. If you just want a basic email/internet computer Ubuntu will easily fulfill your needs. There are however a few downsides to running Ubuntu. Out of the box it is impossible to run windows software; however it is possible to run windows software through a virtual machine such as VM wear with xp installed or within Linux through wine. Both of these methods emulate the windows environment to run windows programs so not everything will work and they will run slower than running them from within windows. If you use a lot of proprietary software then Linux might not be for you; however, there are alternative Linux versions to every common type of software used in windows.
Recommended Minimum Specifications
- 500 MHz x86 processor
- 192 MB of system memory (RAM)
- 8 GB of disk space
- Graphics card capable of 1024x768 resolution
- Sound card
- A network or Internet connection
Recommended for Desktop Effects
- 1.2 GHz x86 processor
- 256 MB of system memory (RAM)
- 8 GB of disk space
- Supported graphics card (see Desktop Effects)
Kubuntu
If Ubuntu doesn't suit your preferences, needs or computer, there also a couple official derivative versions of Ubuntu you might want to examine before looking at other Linux distributions. Kubuntu is very similar to Ubuntu but it uses the KDE (K Desktop Environment) instead of the Gnome environment installed with Ubuntu. The two environments have very similar features, but vary in their layout and style. Ubuntu and Kubuntu are essentially the same operating systems with different interfaces and different pre-installed applications. For example Ubuntu comes with Firefox web browser while Kubuntu comes with Konqueror browser. Choosing between Ubuntu and Kubuntu comes down to personal preference as both Operating Systems have the same functionality and access to the same software packages. Kubuntu has very similar requirements as Ubuntu and can be downloaded at http://www.kubuntu.org/download.php
Xubuntu
Xubuntu is another derivative of Ubuntu. It's operating system made by the creators of Ubuntu designed to be used on less powerful computers. Like Kubuntu, Xubuntu has Ubuntu at its core, but uses a different Desktop environment named Xface. This desktop environment along with several tweaks to the Ubuntu core and optimized software applications allow Xubuntu to perform better on older computers. While Xubuntu does not come with as many features and does not have as much style as Ubuntu, Xubuntu should be chosen if your computer has 192 MB RAM or a processor slower than 300 MHz you can download Xubuntu at http://www.xubuntu.org/get#gutsy
Knoppix
Advertised as “From zero to Linux in 5 minutes,” Knoppix strength lies in its Live CD. Like Ubuntu, Knoppix is based on the Debian distributions, but is focused on running the Operating System directly from the CD rather than from the hard drive. The Knoppix live CD is very easy to use and allows users without any prior knowledge to try a Linux distribution. Knoppix has very good hardware detection, so it can be used on a great variety of computer without any advanced setup and troubleshooting required by the user. While Knoppix can be installed to the hard drive it is not recommended by the creators as the operating system is specifically designed from a security standpoint and optimized to run from a CD. Knoppix comes in a standard CD version and a DVD “Maxi” version which contains more software packages. The “Maxi” version may be ideal for users who might be using the operating system on a computer that does not have access to the internet since it has more software preloaded. Like Ubuntu, Knoppix comes with several open source and proprietary software applications that mirror those used in windows by people everyday use. Knoppix uses the K desktop environment (KDE) like Kubuntu therefore it comes packed with several KDE applications such as Konqueror web browser and Kmail. Even though Knoppix runs from ROM (Read Only Memory, IE DVD or CD) user can still have a customized experience and save their documents to another storage source, like a USB flash drive. By carrying a Knoppix CD and a USB flash drive, have all of their documents, setting and programs on every computer.
Knoppix is best suited for users who wish to have an alternative to windows but do not wish to permanently change the computer they are using. Knoppix might also be useful for someone that frequently accesses a public computer but is unhappy with the provided operating system. Knoppix also offers security advantages other versions of Linux because the operating system resides in Read only memory and cannot be modified by malicious software.
Minimum system requirements
- l Intel-compatible CPU (i486 or later)
- l 32 MB of RAM for text mode, at least 96 MB for graphics mode with KDE (at least 128 MB of RAM is recommended to use the various office products),
- l Bootable CD-ROM drive, or a boot floppy and standard CD-ROM (IDE/ATAPI or SCSI),
- l Standard SVGA-compatible graphics card
- l Serial or PS/2 standard mouse or IMPS/2-compatible USB-mouse.
Fedora
The publishers of Fedora advertise their product as “...a Linux-based operating system that showcases the latest in free and open source software. Fedora is always free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. It is built by people across the globes who work together as a community: the Fedora Project. The Fedora Project is open and anyone is welcome to join. The Fedora Project is out front for you, leading the advancement of free, open software and content.”
Fedora is a Linux distribution created by the Fedora project, a sponsored project by Red Hat. Fedora stems from Red Hat Linux and utilized the RHM, Red Hat Package Manager. Fedora's goal is to provide a free cutting edge operating system based on open source technology. Fedora is available in several different packages. The Fedora DVD contains installations for all of the latest Fedora distributions. There are also a few Fedora Live CDs available, Fedora Gnome Live Media and Fedora KDE Live Media. All three are available at http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora Because of fedora's philosophy of only including open source non proprietary software and drivers, this distribution does not come with as much as some of the previous installations; however, the proprietary drivers and software are not very hard to download and install. Some advantages of Fedora over other versions of Linux include; better laptop support through battery, CPU and graphics control, also “Pulse Audio” which gives fedora more advanced audio control and support over other distributions.
l Recommended for text-mode: 200 MHz Pentium-class or better
l Recommended for graphical: 400 MHz Pentium II or better
l Minimum RAM for text-mode: 128MiB
l Minimum RAM for graphical: 192MiB
l Recommended RAM for graphical: 256MiB
When it comes to selecting a Linux distribution there are many options to consider. There exist so many different distortions created for different purposes that one cannot simply proclaim one distribution best for a home user. Sometimes hardware incompatibilities with force you toward or away from a distribution and these hardware problems may only be detected or resolved by trying different distributions. There may exist several distributions that will fulfill your needs, so sometimes it just comes down to your personal preference. Other mainstream distributions worth looking into for home use include, open SUSE (http://www.opensuse.org/), Debian (http://www.debian.org/), Slackware (http://www.slackware.com/) and FreeBSD (http://www.freebsd.org/).