whatis Linux

See also • Malware • Vista Editions • Broadband • Memory • Wireless • CPU/Processors • XP Pro •

What is Linux?

Linux is an Operating System (as is Windows, Mac OS etc) that has its roots in Unix. Its Open Source community, reliability and cost has made it a popular choice in the server market Some linux distributions are biased towards a desktop environment much like windows. Linux in general until recently was not for the beginner, however some newer Linux distributions are perfect for light usage (internet/email/word processing etc) even for relative ‘newbies‘ to the computer field.
Best of all many Linux distributions are free or nearly free.

Linux, which distribution ?

As a free alternative to Windows there are several Linux distributions out there (some say too many), which linux you choose should probably be relational to your experience with computers in general and in your requirements from the Operating System.
There are many distributions with many nuances, to better support our customers The Centurion concentrate on the Ubuntu and Fedora distributions for desktop users + Debian for web/mail/file servers.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is The Centurion Linux distribution of choice, it is focused on the home user, it has great hardware support, is fast and out of the box supports CD/DVD burning, Internet and Email, Word processing (Open Office 2) and has lots of other goodies to play with.
Xandros The Centurion will install Fedora on your new PC in place of Windows.

Fedora

If you want to delve a bit deeper into linux, perhaps setting up a small web/mail/file server then Redhat Fedora is a well supported distribution with a huge following, The Centurion can install Fedora on your new PC in place of Windows.

Centurion Linux Support

Centurion give limited support for the distributions noted above, support includes hardware configuration issues and supported software configuration (Firefox/Mozilla, Thunderbird, Evolution).
Centurion can provide further support for linux/bsd but this is charged at our normal hourly rates.

Dual Booting

In general Centurion advise against dual booting if possible (especially sharing Operating Systems on disk partitions). We can however advise and install if required.