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FAQ - Linux distributions
Parent: Common Questions and Misconceptions
Q: Is Linux really available for zero cost?
A: Frequently, yes. Most varieties (Distributions) can be downloaded for free, while a few others are available for a fee. If you go to LinuxISO.org or similar sites, or to the distributions' websites, you can download it in the form of CD-ROM images to burn yourself. If you do not have a CD-R writer, some distributions can be installed from the harddisk, from floppy disks, or even from an FTP server, if you have a fast connection or plenty of time. Check with the website for information about different installation methods.
If you want to know why programmers bother to develop Linux if it can be had for free go here: Why do programmers write Free Software?
Note that if you're a dialup user, you might want to download Linux from a friend with a broadband connection or from an internet cafe, as a few CD-ROM images will easily reach over a gigabyte in size. Though the download itself is free, being connected through a modem for three continuous days is probably not. Other options include checking your local computer store, they might sell Linux CDs for a few dollars to cover the media and their time, or you can order them from sites like CheapBytes.
For a more traditional approach, one can purchase a "Boxed Set", which usually consists of commercially pressed CDs, printed manuals and offers of free or cheap tech support, all in a neat, shrinkwrapped, professional looking package. This usually costs more, but many go for this option for the tech support, which you're otherwise not entitled to, except that some free web or email based support for downloaded distributions might be supplied by a particular vendor, and purchasers of machines might be able to get free or paid support from the hardware vendor.
Note that the tech support may still not be free, or may have limited free services, or may even have limited paid services for the boxed set you buy. Other options, whether you download or purchase the product include free and paid support other than from the distributor. These options are described at Linux support options.
Most distributions have versions available at no cost, such as Debian, Slackware, Fedora, Gentoo, Mandrake, and others.
Companies that sell commercial distributions include Suse, Red Hat, Xandros, and others. Most or all of these companies who make money from Linux contribute back to the communities in various ways.
Q: Cost of acquiring knowlege about Linux?
The real and genuine cost of Linux is the time and effort the "new user" (newbie) must invest in acquiring new knowledge. This investment can range from trivial to extensive depending on what a user intends to use it for, and on how much they must "unlearn" from other operating systems. Users who simply want to do basic web surfing, email, and creation of office documents will find that, with a distribution geared to those purposes, the investment can be minimal. But users who wish to fully explore the wide range of capabilities provided will have much more to learn.
It is frequently said that the learning curve is exponential, and not logarithmic, this means that it has a slow start, but a huge potential, instead of a fast start but lower potential. Linux Questions Wiki is designed to give you a leg up to the steeply rising part of this learning curve by allowing you to start with this FAQ and quickly find anything else you need to need to know about Linux. If you can't do this, something is wrong with the Wiki. See Fixing problems in the Wiki.
You should correct this by doing one or more of the following:
- (Can't find the topic) Find the topic that you need information on by some other means, verify that you can't find the name or a synonym for the topic on this Wiki by doing a Search, and click "Discuss this page" at the bottom of this FAQ. Then add the name of the new topic you want under the Suggestions topic, enclosed in double square brackets "[[]]" and click "Show Preview". A link to a blank page for the new topic should appear in red. If not, see if you can determine what is wrong by looking at nearby parts of the page, and fix it. If you can't fix it, click "Save" to save the page as is; this is minor, and someone else can fix it easily. Note that you have not asked a question; you have improved Linux documentation. If you need an answer right away, you'll need to do more to increase the chance that someone sees your question.
- (Topic exists -can't find info) Click the blue text on this line: Linux support options.
Q: What is a distro/distribution?
A: Linux is made up of multiple discrete components, and the organizations that draw these parts into a cohesive whole are known as distributions (because they distribute the parts in a central place). Of course, anybody can make a distribution and there is a thriving market of distros all alike yet all different. Think of it like the car market - while they all work in basically the same way, and may even be built by the same companies, a Mini is still very different to a Rolls Royce.
There are many different distributions out there. Some of the biggest ones are covered specifically on this site. The most popular statistically is Red Hat/Fedora, however Debian, Suse, Mandrake and Slackware are also fairly common. They aren't all alike - Debian and Slackware are designed for the power user and typically lack some features (like graphical installers and pretty user interfaces) valued by new Linux users and users with past experience with certain other operating systems.
They are all Linux variants, though, and anything you can do on one distro can usually be done on another with minor differences. In fact, because of the GPL, if you are a programmer and another distro has a feature that you would like, you can copy the source code, and submit a patch to insert the feature into your favorite distro.
If you aren't sure which distro to start with, some common recommendations are:
- If you would consider yourself a "Power-User" in another OS, you might want to try either Red Hat/Fedora, Mandrake or SuSE first, and once you've found your feet try other distros to find the one that suits you the best.
- If you already have some experience with Linux (and therefore consider yourself a Linux "Power-User"), you can try some more advanced distributions like Gentoo, Debian, and Slackware.
- If you are a new computer user, or use only a limited set of computer functions, you may want to try one of the distributions specifically designed for new-user simplicity. Such distributions include Lycoris, Xandros, and Lindows.
- You can also "get your feet wet" in Linux by trying a Live CD distro. These speciallized distros run right off the cd, and don't affect your computer's hard drive. While not having all of the capabilities of a full-fledged distro, they are a good way of seeing if Linux is right for you. The most well known of these LiveCD distros is Knoppix. Since the Live CDs are usually based on larger distros, if you are interested in trying a distro you can get the flavor with minimal fuss by trying a corresponding Live CD first.
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