directly from a removable medium (DVD, CD, or even a floppy disk in some cases).
You'll be able to try Linux without even touching the contents of your hard disk. As
noted earlier, distributions such as Damn Small Linux will run well even on less
powerful machines.
Install Linux on your hard disk -- If you have available disk space that's not already
assigned to Windows or another system, you can install Linux on your hard disk and
have a more permanent operating system. Some Linux distributions, such as SUSE and
Mandriva, enable you to resize your Windows hard disk to make room to install Linux.
Other Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu and Gentoo, enable you to try them out
from a live CD, and then install them to your hard disk from that running live CD.
Linux itself is just a kernel (like the engine of a car), so to use Linux you need to select a Linux
distribution. Because the distribution you choose is so critical to your Linux experience, Part III of
this book is devoted to understanding, choosing, and installing the most popular Linux distribu-
tions. Several of these distributions are included with this book, along with several useful bootable
Linux distributions. If you don't already have a Linux system in front of you, refer to Chapter 7 to
get started getting the Linux you want.
Summary
Linux is the most popular representation of the open source software model today and reflects a
rich history of shared software development techniques that date back to the first UNIX systems of
three decades ago. Today's Linux computer systems form the backbone of many major computing
centers around the world.
In recent years, Linux has become a great choice as a desktop system as well. You will find many
open source applications available for any type of application you can imagine (word processing,
music playing, e-mail, games, and so on). With its powerful networking and built-in security
features, Linux can provide a much safer computing environment than other desktop computing
systems.
Linux gives you the freedom to create the kind of computer system you need.
33
Starting with Linux
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