Everyone's heard of Windows. Chances are, there's a copy installed on the PC in front of you. After all, Windows is the world's most widely used PC operating system - installed on millions of PCs worldwide. But that's not to say it's the only operating system. And its major challenger is Linux. Unlike Windows, the product of Microsoft's singular toil, Linux was developed by members of the public and it continues to be improved and updated by users across the globe. The Linux project was begun as a hobby in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a programmer from Finland. He shared his work with other developers over the Internet. In the following years, interest in the operating system swelled, as did the number of developers devoting their time to it. Soon millions of people were using Linux - and paying nothing.
It's this public spirit that makes Linux so different from Windows. In order to work, software needs to be 'compiled' into a set of instructions that the PC's processor understands. This effectively scrambles the underlying programming - known as 'source code' - to the eyes of ordinary people. Microsoft likes it to stay that way, keeping its code secret to prevent rivals creating software that integrates with Windows. By contrast, Linux is a type of software known as 'open source'. Anyone can see the lines of program code that make Linux run - and modify them.
Because of this, a huge number of different groups and companies have developed their own versions of Linux, known as 'distributions'. Different distributions are generally designed to do slightly different jobs - some are designed to be very secure, while others are intended to run Web sites and parts of the Internet's infrastructure. Some Linux distributions are intended to be as easy to install and use as Windows. The only condition placed upon Linux developers is that the source code of every version must be made public. There are no trade secrets in the world of Linux.
In this workshop, we're going to explore the basics of Linux. We'll walk you through the installation process and explain how it works. As you'll see, if you're proficient in Windows, you should take to Linux with ease. Next month, we'll go a few steps further and discover how to use other software within the new operating system.
Why use Linux?
There are lots of reasons you might want to try Linux. Firstly, it's reckoned to be more reliable and less likely to crash than Windows. It's also claimed to be safer and more secure than Windows, too. Because it doesn't run ordinary Windows software, it's immune to the viruses, worms and spyware that regularly target Windows machines. It is also compatible with Unix, another operating system used to run corporate networks and the Internet.
Even more usefully, Linux doesn't require a powerful or ultra modern PC - making it the perfect choice to install on an old PC. SuSE Linux, included on this month's cover DVD, requires only a K6 II processor to run - this type of chip predates the current Athlon XPs by several generations!
Installing SuSE Linux
Before installing SuSE Linux, which you'll find on this cover DVD, you'll first have to burn the program on to a CD - see the boxout below for full instructions. Next, you must ensure your PC is set to boot from its CD drive, rather than its hard disk. To do this you'll need to access your PC's BIOS. To do this, you'll need to press a specific key when the PC first starts up. It's usually the Delete key, but you'll be given on-screen instructions as the PC starts. Next, you'll see a menu of options. Following that you'll usually need to enter the 'Advanced' BIOS settings (precise details vary from PC to PC, so check your manual). Set 'boot device one' to CD-ROM. This instructs the PC to look first at the CD drive for an operating system to boot up. When you've made and saved that change, reboot your PC with your new SuSE Linux CD in the CD drive. The installation software should then load automatically. When the first menu appears, move the cursor down from 'Boot from Hard Disk' to 'Installation'. When you've done that, your machine will spend a few moments loading up more installation software.
When its done you'll be taken into YaST (which stands, incidentally, for 'Yet another Setup Tool'). Despite its silly name, YaST is a fantastic setup and installation tool that helps you through all the essential configuration options. To help you understand what's going on and about to happen, YaST presents you with a list of installation elements. The first is to select the language - choose English (UK). Next, YaST will present you with a list of settings and hardware it has found. Generally, YaST's powers of detection are good, so everything in the list should be correct. If you see anything you disagree with, click Change.
The next and most important phase is partitioning. Partitioning governs the way in which space on your PC's hard disk is divided up. If you're starting with a blank hard disk, YaST will allocate space for itself without any difficulty. If you already have Windows installed on your PC, the story is a little different. YaST gives you the option to either delete Windows, or shrink its partition. The latter option will reduce the amount of disk space that's available to Windows, and create an area for Linux. YaST's default Shrink setting worked well for us, so we'd advise leaving it on its own to organise the cohabitation of SuSE and Windows on your hard disk.
If you do decide to use the Shrink option though, remember to back up your essential files. In the unlikely event of the process fouling up, you may lose access to Windows.
The rest of the installation process is fully automated. You will, however, need to think up a root password to protect your computer. This is central to keeping the contents of your PC safe and secure - so choose carefully. Remember too that only the person with the root password can make major system changes.
YaST will also guide you through the process of getting on to the Internet. For the moment, we'll skip through these options as they can be very complex. In the meantime, we've a whole new operating system to explore!
Using SuSE Linux
When you've finished the installation process and rebooted your machine, SuSE Linux will begin loading. As it loads, it will flash up various windows explaining what it's up to - chief among these is loading KDE. KDE is a so-called 'graphical user interface' - that is, a system for controlling the PC by using menus and icons on the screen. It works along on the same principles as Windows. If you're proficient with Windows, SuSE Linux won't seem like another universe.
When SuSE has finally finished loading, you'll be presented with a mountainscape as background wallpaper on the desktop.
Along the bottom of the screen, you'll see a row of icons. The most important one is the green icon with SuSE's chameleon head logo on it (the chameleon is called Geeko, if you were wondering). This button works just the like the Windows Start button. Click on it and a menu of options will leap up. Just like Windows, these will take you to games, office programs, utilities and system tools. Find a program you want, and click on it to run it.
Unlike Windows, you'll find SuSE has many full programs included for free. There is, for example, a fully working office work suite called OpenOffice. This consists of a word processor, spreadsheet, graphics program and presentation software. Not bad! Could you imagine Microsoft giving away a copy of Office with Windows?
The rest of the on-screen icons are very similar to those you'll find on a Windows XP desktop. There is, for example, a My Computer icon, which does exactly the same job as its Microsoft counterpart. The icon with Geeko peering out from behind a red and white life buoy is SuSE's help centre. Click it and you'll be taken to a set of menus and documents which should be able to sort out any gnawing problems.
If you've bought your own copy of SuSE Linux, you'll also have a manual to help you along. If you're using the ISO version on our cover DVD you will be missing this, but don't worry. Along with SuSE's built-in help centre, you'll also find bags of assistance and FAQs on at www.suse.com.
Different Versions Of Linux
As we've already said, there are many different versions or 'distributions' of Linux. Below, you'll see reviews of three leading packages. You can download any of these versions of Linux for free from the maker's Web site.
Still, it's often worth paying for the boxed version. In addition to the operating system, you'll get a manual and CDs packed with extra programs. Many companies also give technical support to people who've bought their software too - useful if you're new to Linux.
Author: LIAM PROVEN and MARTIN COOPER
linux a beginner's guide