Novice Academy: Six questions you should know about installing Linux

Before installing Linux system, users must first understand the following six questions:

1. How many versions of Linux operating system are there?

According to the DistroWatch.com website, there are currently at least 350 Linux distributions. Ubuntu has recently been popular in the Linux market due to the support of Sun CEO José-Schwartz.

Secondly, SUSE is provided by Novell and is divided into free and commercial versions. The commercial version requires a fee, but you can get technical support from Novell. In addition, major Linux distributions include Red Hat, Mandriva, Debian, Fedora, Slackware, Knoppix, Gentoo, and Mepis.

2. What are the supporting applications of the Linux system?

In the field of office software, the most well-known is Sun's StarOffice. It has the same office applications as Microsoft's Office, with a variety of office applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Typically, OpenOffice is bundled with multiple Linux systems such as Red Hat and Novell.

In addition to OpenOffice, office components that support Linux include GNOME Office and KOffice. In the browser market, there are Firefox and Konqueror browsers that support Linux.

3. How to listen to music on a Linux system?

For home users, in addition to office applications such as word processing, the most common application for users on Linux systems is the music player. Currently, music players that support Linux include RealPlayer and KDE's amaroK player.

For Linux users, buying music tracks is a difficult task. Apple's iTunes, Yahoo Music, and Urge do not support Linux. As for Rhapsody, users can only listen online, but can't buy it. In contrast, MP3tunes.com can meet the needs of Linux users to purchase music tracks to a certain extent. The cost per song is 88 cents.

4. What desktop environments does Linux have to choose from?

This is what the term "desktop" means "user interface." Currently, Linux has two main desktop environments, Gnome and KDE. These two environments differ more in form than in technology.

In contrast, KDE is closer to Windows, and Gnome is characterized by faster speeds. Currently, Linux systems from many vendors such as Red Hat and Novell support the Gnome and KDE desktop environments.

5. Is Linux more suitable for servers or end users?

Frankly speaking, Linux is more suitable as a server system. At present, Linux has not been sufficiently recognized in the desktop market. Analyst Rob Enderle believes that perhaps Linux will never rise in the desktop market.

According to authoritative data, the current use of Linux in the desktop market is less than 3%. However, this does not affect the determination and confidence of Linux vendors to enter the desktop market. Many Linux believe that Linux's take-off in the desktop market is not far off.

6. How to install Linux system?

First download the ISO image of the Linux operating system, and then you can burn it directly to the bootable CD. It should be noted that do not install the Linux system on the same hard disk as Windows. Users should install two hard drives. When using a Linux system, it is best to unplug the data cable that installs the Windows system hard drive. When using a Windows system, unplug the Linux system hard drive. Detailed information Users can view some related books.

Understanding the above six points, I believe users can easily install and use Linux systems.