Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Dear Monica, What is Linux? Should I install it on my old computer? Sincerely, Looking at Linux.

Dear Looking at Linux,

Linux is a computer operating system (OS).  The most popular OS are from Microsoft and Apple.  Microsoft offers Windows and Apple offers OS X Mountain Lion.  Operating systems that are not as popular include Google Chrome and Linux.  Linux is open source, free to download, and free to install.  You can install Linux to either replace the old operating system or as another option on the same computer. 

Computer technicians like to install Linux on their machines because it gives them more freedom to develop custom software while removing any extra features they do not want.  I install Linux on old computers when I want to make them run faster for a specific purpose such as becoming a dedicated Media Server for a small home network. 

Linux also comes in many different versions because thousands of software developers and computer technicians create their own custom versions of the Linux operating system to meet their own unique requirements and goals.  For example, an Onkwehonwe software developer can create their own customized Linux operating system to support text and audio for Endangered Languages on a completely customized User Interface.

You can find free online tutorials and training about Linux online at http://www.Linux.org.  I suggest beginners use old computers to learn how to install Linux and customize their own Linux versions.  When you are no longer a beginner, move onto installing your own customized Linux operating systems on brand new computers with less worry of destroying a computer.

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