How to Get Linux

There are four basic ways to obtain Linux:

1. Download Linux
2. Buy Linux
3. Copy Linux
4. Create Your Own Linux

  Download Linux

One of the greatest attributes of the Linux operating system is that its generally free for download and use. Most distributions create easy to use files (one file per CD in .iso format) that you can download, burn to CD, and install on any system that you would like. It is important to note that some distributions (such as Suse) do not offer .iso images for download, which makes the distribution very difficult and time consuming to obtain for free from the Internet.

For Distribution Reviews, and links to the Distribution's homepage (and download page), see our Distro page at http://linux-distros.TheLinuxRevolution.net.

To burn the downloaded .iso image files, refer to the general instructions per software package below:

1. Nero Burning Rom - Choose File > Burn Image. Browse to the image that you would like to burn.
2. Roxio Easy CD Creator - Choose File > Record Disk from Image. The Burn Disk from Image File dialog will appear.
3. K3b - Within Konqueror or Nautilus, Right Click on the downloaded Image File. Choose K3b-iso (or burn image, or whatever your K3b says about burning an image or "iso".
4. Cdrecord (command line) - "cdrecord -data filename.iso dev=0:0" (or whatever device your cd burner happens to be)

Note: Burning the .iso file to a CD is NOT enough to create a linux installation CD. You have to "expand" the image onto the CD. If your CD is not working, check its contents; you should have multiple file and directories on the CD, not just one .iso file.

Note: Newer or older versions of software may work slightly differently...

  Buy Linux

What? Spend money on something that I can get for free??
Well, almost every Linux distribution that offers free .iso downloads offers both a free / downloadable version and a boxed-copy version. Usually you will find there are only a few differences:

1. Boxed-copy versions usually package more applications (which you can freely download for downloadable versions of Linux, but it will be extra work)
2. Boxed-copy versions come with books and / or instruction manuals.
3. Boxed-copy versions usually offer support from the developer of the Linux distribution (including tech support and product updates).

Such boxed-copies of Linux can be obtained directly from the developer's website, or can be purchased online at sites such as eBay (see "Copy Linux" below).

  Copy Linux

Unlike another operating system, Linux does not use the same (overly) restrictive licensing. As such, you can freely copy and redistribute Linux distribution CDs. This applies to both downloaded and burned CDs and purchased boxed-copies of Linux. Due to the largest restriction of the GNU Public License (GPL), if Linux is redistributed, the Linux source code and the source code for all available packages included in the distribution must accompany the copy. Really, this only means that you will need to download and / or copy all of the disks of the distribution that you would like to redistribute.

Please see http://openacs.org/about/licensing/open-source-licensing and http://www.opensource.org/licenses/ for more information about the GPL.

  Create your own Linux

This is certainly not a task to be undertaken by the faint-of-heart. Creating your own Linux distribution is an extremely daunting and time consuming project. However, if you would like to create your own Linux distribution, this site is just for you: http://www.linuxfromscratch.org.