This area has a lot of information about the operating system Linux and a few Linux programs to download. The programs were either written by me or I have permission to distribute them.
What is Linux?
As linux.org puts it:
Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. Developed under the GNU General Public License, the source code for Linux is freely available to everyone.
Contrary to popular belief, Linux is not a limited operating system full of cryptic commands, but a full-featured graphical environment which comes pre-packed with programs that let you do almost anything: write a letter, send e-mail, surf the web, write and host your own web site, play music, watch movies, etc. That said, a powerful command-line interface is still there under the surface if you want to use it.
GNU/Linux?
I use the terms "Linux" and "GNU/Linux" pretty much interchangeably. Technically speaking, the name "Linux" just refers to the tiny core of the operating system. To make a useable system, various other important programs are needed, including shells, a graphical interface and various other things. Most of these other things are part of the Free Software Foundation's GNU project, so it is polite to refer to the full operating system as "GNU/Linux".
"Free" as in "Free Speech", not "Free" as in "Free Beer"
English can be a horrible language sometimes — we really need to scrap it and design a new one! But for now, we're stuck with what we've got.
In English, the word "free" has two meanings:
- "free" as in "free beer"
- Something that can be had for no cost. This freedom is to do with prices and with buying and selling.
- "free" as in "free speech"
- Something that you are allowed to do. This freedom is to do with rights and priviledges.
When Linux users refer to "free software" they mean the second type of free. Linux users have the freedom to download, copy, use and modify their software however they like. The only restriction (on most software) is that you can't use your freedom to restrict other peoples freedoms.
Because anyone is free to make as many copies of the software as they want, this often brings down prices and leads to the first kind of free too, but this is just a side-effect.
The Free Software Foundation has lots more information on this concept.