Prior to installing Linux, you need to be aware of its hardware requirements and limitations. For example, LinuxPPC (Linux on Power PC system) does not run on an ordinary x86 based PCs and some Mac computers.

For beginners, it is a good idea to use Linux distributions containing optimized kernels for generic computer users. You can start with a wide-spread distribution like Ubuntu, Red Hat (Fedora), SuSE, Debian, Gentoo, Mandriva, Xandros, Linspire, which are by far the most popular Linux systems.

Installing Linux is basically following the install screens and answering the questions that are asked there.

Linux is a UNIX-type operating system whose source code is freely available to everyone. Both Linux and Windows provide a GUI and a command line interface. However, Windows is installed on 90% of the world’s computer. Why?

Well, all the flavors of Windows come from Microsoft. Linux is distributed by various companies (Ubuntu, Red Hat, SuSE, Xandros, Linspire, etc.) and this may be hurting the Operating System in the marketplace.

Linux companies are putting a lot of effort into making Linux more user-friendly and popular. The Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux estimates that Linux will reach the $50 billion mark by 2011.

There are miles to go but Linux is fast emerging as the main alternative for proprietary, costly UNIX and Microsoft operating systems. My blog is an attempt to analyze and discuss the migration to Linux and Open Source alternatives.