Linux & Open Source have had far reaching effects in technology today. Often it is misunderstood and this article hopes to clarify what it is and is not. This should be used as a general reference on Linux.
 Linux is a free Unix-type operating system originally created in 1991 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.
Many people have heard different pronunciations of the word Linux. It is normally pronounced with a short " i " and with the first syllable stressed, as in LIH-nucks. It is incorrect to pronounce it as Lie-nucks. Click to hear how Linux creator Linus Torvalds pronounces it.
 Linux is an operating system, similar in concept to various Windows versions, Novell Netware and flavors of UNIX. It can be used for both desktops and servers. Linux can be configured to perform on an old computer with a 386 processor or the newest PC's with leading edge Intel & AMD processors or Macs with a PowerPC. Linux can be run off a floppy disk or CD-ROM on a PC or even embedded on many handheld devices.
 What really has set Linux apart from those systems is Linux's source code is freely available to everyone and that its development has (and is) been contributed to openly by literally thousands of people and organizations from different backgrounds around the world. Each portion of Linux development is managed by a person or assigned group to keep everyone well organized and assure all new versions and features are tested and approved before release. Linux is not owned by any single corporation. This "openness" makes Linux independent of any specific hardware manufacturer, software application, processor manufacturer or other products. While Linux supports most new hardware and processors it has never required it. Many companies today include Linux drivers with the hardware they sell.
 You may already be using Linux. Many of the Internet Router/switches use Linux. A number of handheld organizers do too. Linux is used in digital audio/video recorders, Time Synchronization equipment, telephone equipment, point of sale terminals, set top video on demand boxes and many more. Many of the web sites you are currently browsing are using Linux. Many banks, manufacturers, schools, service companies, hospitals and Fortune 1000 corporations use Linux.
 Linux is today considered one of the most secure operating systems. But if the source code is freely available then isn't it easier to hack? Yes and no. Having the source code might make it easier to find a hole in the system but because of the open nature there are many more people looking to close those holes. And most security flaws are made by hackers testing systems not by reading source code. The market share of Windows has also made it the prime target over Linux. The open source code has also created development groups who only work on security components of Linux. Security alerts are posted on Linux web sites immediately when found, development is begun immediately and some times fixes are available within hours. With commercial systems they often will not announce security issues right away (only the hackers know about them) and may not issue fixes right away. There are a number of open-source features & applications that are designed for Linux just for added security. Linux is often used as a firewall to protect entire networks.
 Linux can be as simple as a desktop operating system with a browser (Mozilla, Firefox, Opera), email (elm, kmail, Thunderbird) wordprocessor/spreadsheet (Open Office) and MP3/Mpeg player (Rasca, LiMpOo, Linux Eyes) for home use. All of these applications are freely available! It can be expanded to a business desktop with business applications, database access, terminal server client, groupware connectivity and network access to Windows, UNIX and Netware servers.
 Linux can also be used as a high-end server servicing windows or Linux clients. From a basic file and print server to any combination of database, email (with anti-spam features), web (www), proxy, central backup, network monitor, DNS, DHCP, Dial-in/Remote Access, News, IRC, time/NTP, ERP, CRM, Call Center, PBX System, fax, groupware server. It can be used as a router or firewall for your network. The features required for high-end critical servers such as clustering, storage area networks, multi-processor support, load balancing, remote administration, higher memory allocation, 64-bit support, directory services, LDAP, etc. are all included. Large industry companies supporting Linux directly in some way include IBM, HP, Novell, Oracle, Veritas, Sybase and others.
 Linux is a true multi-tasking, multi-user system. If you have ever seen a Windows machine chugging on one process (until you end it if you can) you know what Linux is not. Performance on Linux is generally much higher and requires less resources. In independent tests confirm Linux nearly always outperforms Windows, often by multiples. Many services in Linux can be left to load only when needed, reducing resource requirements further.
 By far the most asked question, Is Linux really free? Yes, Linux is free. You can without any cost whatsoever download all of the Linux operating system and its source code. You will also separately need to download the free utilities and software. But there will not be a fancy installation program to get it all loaded. This is where "distributions" come in. And there are many totally free distributions among the hundreds of them.
 Distributions (distros) are essentially a package of the Linux operating system (kernel), utilities, applications and (if needed) a fancy installation package with each distribution package being different. After you have obtained a distribution normally you boot from a disk or launch the install script. Most today will automatically find and install drivers for standard hardware. They will ask you a few questions about partitioning your disk drives, some network settings if needed, type of install (desktop, server, etc.), very similar to other operating systems. Some distributions do not require an actual installation but will run completely (including applications) from floppy disk, CD-ROM or DVD. Most distributions are free (Gentoo, Debian, Knoppix, etc.) to download and install on any and all systems you have. There can be a cost to obtain Linux if you wish to order disks (instead of downloading for free from the Internet) by mail or purchased in a store.
 There are also some commercial distributions of Linux. Generally these provide additional applications and provide a level of technical support. Three examples of commercial distributions are from Red Hat, Novell/Suse & Mandrake. Now before you think this sounds like Microsoft again, understand there are major differences. First because the license for Linux requires source code be freely available. In fact there is several popular FREE distributions which is essentially Red Hat's commercial distribution without the red hat logo. It is created and updated from the freely available source code that anyone (yes you) can download. You also are not locked into any software assurance agreements. It is also important to remember the operating system is Linux. You can keep the same operating system (Linux) but just change distributions. The costs charged for these systems includes (not opensource/free) software they license from other companies; ability to use add-on applications owned by them or developed specifically for that distro by other software companies; support of some kind (phone, online, email, etc.) and updates. Even including the costs for commercial server distributions, they usually have a much lower total cost of ownership than choices from Microsoft and higher return on investment.
 Which distro to use depends on the type of use (desktop, server, firewall, etc.), functionality and features required, hardware available,  software applications to be used and many more things to consider. Support is a consideration as well. Do you need support from the distribution/developer company, a third party provider, system integrator/VAR, consultant or can handle it in-house? Some will support being used as almost anything while some are only for example use as a web server, router or firewall.
  The cost savings written about with Linux comes from many sources. But actually the least cost savings is the cost in obtaining Linux. It is common for Linux servers to not require a reboot or major changes for years. This drastically decreases management costs and downtime. Windows servers are often times rebooted by a schedule to reclaim memory or after applying monthly or weekly patches. Linux can be run on older hardware. Very often Linux is a cost effective solution for adding firewalls, network attached storage (NAS) or various types (DNS, mail, proxy, file, print, CRM, Web, etc.) of servers by reclaiming older unused hardware. The requirements for diskspace, memory and processor is a fraction of current Windows and Netware versions. A PC that can only run windows 98 performs great for many Linux systems. One of the bigest cost savings is in the support of multi-purpose servers. Microsoft does not recommend most combinations of putting Exchange email, SQL database, terminal services or a file server together. With Linux's strong multi-tasking capability and complete isolation from the Linux kernel this becomes a common solution.
 Is Linux right for you? That depends of course on a number of factors. If you are satisfied with your current environment, it meets your budget, is very stable, have no additional needs, and will meet your technology and business requirements for the next few years it may not make sense to change. For some, the choice is to replace only servers with Linux to reduce costs. This increases network security without having to retrain users on their desktops. Or switch to Linux servers instead of when forced to upgrade existing servers by Novell, Microsoft or UNIX. Linux can easily replace Windows, Novell Netware and UNIX servers, without having to replace desktops or their network clients. Other organizations use Linux to add new functionality or enhance network security. It is common to reuse older unused hardware to create an Intranet (inside web) server, SMTP mail relay, firewall, DNS server, network attahed storage or Remote Access server. Often we have used an "outdated" pc with Linux for extra file storage or archiving. Linux sometimes is installed on new desktop computers that were ordered without an operating system installed to save on licensing costs. Linux can be made to fit into nearly any environment and supply solutions for almost any requirement. Still it is not for everyone. Like all technology, it is your organization and its needs that make the decision.
 
 

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