What Linux is about:
belly — Thu, 2013-08-01 16:15
Linux is an alternate suite of operating system software which can run a computer just as successfully as the software you might be more used to.
There are many ways that you can try out Linux, as you are not restricted to a single installation or single “instance” of the software. Part of the “freedom” expressed by FOSS, is the freedom to use any of the software in many computers.
You can even run your computer from a “Live CD” or “Live USB drive” without actually installing the software on your computer! Some versions are actually capable of running from a floppy disc, if your computer still has one. These options make for a great opportunity for a “Trial Run” without affecting your existing set-up at all.
You not only get software to run your computer (operating system) but most versions of Linux, often referred to as a “distribution”, contain most of the software you need to do things on your computer.
The list of software includes such things as OpenOffice.org (a set of Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation and Database software), The Gimp (image manipulation and drawing software), many media player programs, web browsers like Firefox, chat programs and much more.