linux

can i buy & download any version of linuxoperating system online or just download good free version

You can download most versions of Linux for free. I prefer to by a CD version accompanying a book so I have a copy on hand, though.

Just go here:
http://www.linux.org/dist/index.html
It will link you to all the downloadable distro's. Yes the download versions are free. Note: For most, you'll need a CD burner to burn the images to up to three CD's. Some are less some are more.

My advice to you is to buy a Linux distro since you are just starting to learn, SuSE comes with a lot of documentation. It costs money but it's worth it.

You can download it free from any one
of many locations.Go to Google. Type in "linux"

or you can find packaged distributions in software
stores.

Often, when you buy a good book at a book store,
it will also have the install CD.

It takes quite a while to download unless you
have a very fast connection.

Even if you pay for a package, the software is free,
inthe sense that it is legal for you to make as many copies
as you want, and give them away, sell them etc.
:cool:

btw
www.distrowatch.com is a good place to start.

thanx for the help.
to my understanding linux is a hard operating system to get use too is'nt it, and i have been doing computers about 1 1/2 years i first started on win 95 but i have done a reasonable amount of reading and heard that linux is powerful and i want to learn how to use it.

whats my chances ?

It all depends on how much more reading you want to do. If you read the FAQ's and HOW-TO's and do a lot of other reading as well you can get good with it fairly quickly.

I am prepared to read what i can to learn about linux but i am not totally sure where to start

You can try http://www.linux.org/docs/. It has the Faqs and How-To's for you

Your chances are good. go for it and come back to ao for help. I would go with redhat for now but the others are fine as well.

doctor_death,

Yes Linux is a really powerful operating system I'd suggest downloading and printing
the small stuff first for basic commands getting around the system so you aren't
intimidated once you drop into a command line alot of Windows users don't
like a command line at all they chicken out and headback to Windows98 or WindowsXP
then write a column for a Windows Websight and say things like Linux isn't ready for the desktop or
other negative nonsense without giving it a chance :( There are alot of resources
on the net you can print out on paper to learn Linux there are also alot of books,
they range from beginner to real advanced stuff that's written for programmers and
hackers in mind perl programming, administration, how to build a bridge
firewall that kind of stuff you can learn Linux from magazines too Linux
Journal publishes a magazine once a month that has useful stuff...........
For beginner books I'd suggest Linux for Dummies if your really new
it comes with a Redhat cd.........

Chawley

"Microsoft Windows Chunky Soup with Pasta that eats like a Meal "

Linux is always free, or at least every distro will be available for download.

I recommend Mandrake, for a newbie it's perfect....it sets everything up, gives you the option of KDE or Gnome,
and from there it's like being in Windows. The reason I recommend this, is because you can then START to use the command line
without actually needing it. Once you feel more comfortable....you can tweak all to your liking, and change to a more customizable distro

hope I was of a bit of help

Quote:

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I am prepared to read what i can to learn about linux but i am not totally sure where to start

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I'm reading this right now and it's turning out to be really informative...and easy to understand.

well friends, i found this some intersecting- 'Linux'. Even iam planning to install Linux in my box and will like to learn more about Linux.