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How To Obtain Linux
Date: 8 Apr 2010 / Author: SeanParsons / Views: 1255
Linux can run on nearly any electronic device including set-top boxes, cellphones, and even gas
pumps; but in this article we are going to concentrate on the most classic of environments that receives the majority of attention....personal
computers.
Thus far we've discussed What Is Linux and Why Use Linux, so now we need give consideration to how to obtain
Linux. Because it is Open Source, Linux can be distributed by anyone using any method. Some more common methods may consist of geek friends, internet
downloads, from books and magazines, retail stores, on-line shopping sites, and some computers even come with it
preinstalled.
PREINSTALLED
While this may require the most expense, it is probably the easiest and most fool proof way of
obtaining Linux. Most average Joes and Janes don't want to figure out how to install an operating system (OS). Now that many computer manufacturers
offer this as an option, it allows end-users to overcome a common hurdle. Some manufacturers include:
Dell
System
76
Zareason
Amazon*
Geeks.com*
*
While not technically a manufacturer, they do sell a lot of systems with Linux
The above list is not meant to be exhaustive. I actually
recommend checking out what your local 'Mom and Pop' stores offer as local businesses usually provide the best customer service.
While
purchasing it preinstalled is the easiest method, not everyone wants to jump in feet first and plunk down between $300 and $2000 dollars to get
started. Most people already have a perfectly good computer (even if the OS on it is not running well) that they could run Linux on. This brings us to
the rest of our options.
GEEK FRIEND
We all know that overly confident computer guy that loves all things GNU, including Linux. This is the person that would blow off a date with their soul mate for an opportunity to switch you to
Linux. If you really don't know this guy you can find a whole room full of them at your local Linux User
Group (LUG). This person will help you select an appropriate version of Linux and find a way to install it for you. Instead of just using a CD,
they may install it from a flash drive, or even an FTP install. They'll configure all your drivers and do the whole thing with a smile.
Some
people appreciate the journey and not just the destination. I fell into this camp when I started using Linux and that brings us to some other
options.
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
Many books and magazines at your local book store or campus book store will offer an installable CD
or DVD inside their cover. These are nice because the magazines and books usually offer installation instructions. Obviously the books will offer more
in-depth instruction but the magazines will have the more recent releases of the various versions of Linux. I personally recommend a book with the
version of Linux you're most interested in as it will help you learn more about your new OS. If you're not sure about which version to try I suggest
either asking other Linux users about user friendly distributions or doing some research at Distrowatch.com.
RETAIL BOX-STORES
Some people are more comfortable buying their software
off-the-shelf at a retail box store like Fry's Electronics or Best Buy.
If you fall into this category, they will usually offer several different versions of Linux on installable media along with some documentation for
getting you started. Often these boxed versions will offer some limited tech support over the phone. For some, that over the phone tech support is
really important and may help some get past their anxiety over trying something new. Often, if you know which version of Linux you want, you may be
able to purchase it directly from the distribution's website at a lower cost.
ON-LINE SHOPPING
This is a very broad category as
you can buy anything from a full boxed set like you would see in a retail store to some discs burned in the basement of a geek's parents' home. Keep
this in mind if you go to purchase your installable media this way. Also, make sure you've reviewed the installation instructions for your OS prior
to attempting it. Most distributions have installation instructions on their site.
A couple of example of on-line retailers include:
Amazon
OSDisc.com
INTERNET DOWNLOADS
The Internet provides a great deal of convenience for obtaining many
versions of Linux. Once you've decided which version you want, proceed to the distribution's website. A distribution, sometimes called 'distro',
is a version of Linux, like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Linux Mint. Once on the site find the ISO image to download. Most distribution offer their ISO images as free
downloads.
Unlike a regular data file, the ISO file cannot be dragged and dropped or copied directly onto a disc. It needs to be burned in a
specific way that expands/extracts the image so you have usable files on your disc. To install Ubuntu from a CD, you first need to burn the downloaded
ISO image onto a CD. This requires:
- A working CD/DVD burner
- An 80 minute (700 Mb) CD
The cheapest "write once" CDs
that can only usually be bought in packets of 10 or more tend to be much better for this. DVDs require a higher 'burn speed' which often causes
problems. More expensive types of CDs seem optimized for data-storage rather than for booting-up from. Also if the 1st one does not work it hurts a
lot less.
Since this article is about obtaining Linux we will work from the assumption then that most new users are going to be starting out in
Windows. MS Windows on its own can not correctly burn a bootable ISO image. A good free program for accomplishing this is ISO Record. You can get the
application at http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm. This site also
includes instructions on how to use the software.
If you are burning the ISO image from a Linux based computer, most of the CD burning software
on Linux already knows how to burn a bootable ISO image.
CONCLUSION
While this does not account for every way someone can get a
copy of Linux to install, it does cover the most common ways. If someone has another way that seems appropriate for the Linux-curious please post it
in the comments below.
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