Linux support options

Volunteer

 * Internet based
 * Linux Questions Forums - for questions
 * Linux Questions Wiki - to look up HOWTOs, tips, etc.
 * Other wikis
 * TLDP - organized documents repository
 * IRC Chat - interactive chat session to discuss problems
 * Newsgroup - often can answer questions fairly quickly
 * Google Groups - indexes newsgroups, Posts appear hours later
 * Mailing list - archives can be looked up; queries answered by email
 * Email - much support depends on email correspondence


 * Other volunteer support
 * Neighbor, friend, associate, or relative - if you know a guru, treat him/her right.
 * User group - there are many Linux user groups around to provide mutual support.
 * Club

Commercial - free or paid

 * Distribution vendor
 * Free installation support for boxed distributions
 * Other support is usually paid, but not always
 * Support for consumers may be limited


 * Machine vendor may offer free or paid support
 * Purchase machine with Linux pre-installed
 * Support could include partitioning the hard drive


 * Other
 * Contractor
 * Employee
 * Neighbor
 * Neighborhood store
 * Service Corporation