[SLUG] What Is Linux handout, text for final clearance

[john at johnallsopp.co.uk]

Hi ppl

Here's the final text for my Linux handout. I'm going to print 100 on
A5 on my deskjet tomorrow, so if there are any final thoughts, yell.
Bear (bare? beer? behre ... ) in mind that it's a tight fit on the
page, so what you add you also have to take out.

You can download the Open Office document from
<http://www.johnallsopp.co.uk/slug/> if you'd like to see the layout.

Here goes:
What Is Linux?
Linux is an alternative to Microsoft Windows, providing arguably a
more stable, less costly yet more capable system.

How could Linux possibly improve on Windows?

Linux and most of the software that runs on it (word processors, chat
clients, music software), is developed and tested collaboratively by
volunteers. It sounds unlikely, but it works because thousands of
ordinary users test new applications and submit bug reports, sometimes
daily. Software developed this way can evolve very quickly, and it's
more robust and easier to use because it's survived the most rigorous
testing regime, real-life.

Skilled users can, unlike 'normal' software, change the software code
and return their amendment. Such software is said to be Open Source
and it tends to meet the highest expectations of its most critical
users.

Why do people put their time and effort into Open Source, without
payment?

Peer recognition is a big motivator. Developers want to work on
world-class projects with people they respect, to learn, enhance their
cv, and maybe to get their name on the software.

Also, Open Source software is generally provided gratis, or at least
very cheaply. In the Open Source world, 'free' also means freedom, as
in, free to create great software and to change an application to do
what you want. After a while using a free operating system, free
office tools, free video editing tools, free games and free graphics
applications it occurs to some people to put something back. Many very
skilled older developers find purpose here, paying something back to
an industry that's paid them well during their working life.

So, in the geekiest of worlds, there's humanity. A community of people
helping each other, sharing the principle that software is just ideas
that should be shared for the benefit of all. A modern version of
communicating knowledge through stories and song.

Linux is renowned for its ability to work for years on end without a
reboot. IBM and many others have embraced Linux in a big way, and
because Open Source software comes from the ground up, whatever you
want software to do, it's likely you'll be able to find the very best
quality software, free of charge, here in the Linux world.

Despite all that, it's not so different after all. You still use a
mouse and keyboard, you can still read your Microsoft Word documents,
and the reasons for using Linux are very real-world: it's reliable,
effective, usable, it saves money, and it's secure.

OK you got me, where do I start?

Join us (http://www.scarborough.lug.org.uk/), buy a  Linux magazine or
download Tux (http://www.tuxmagazine.com/). Find out more about Linux
online, try Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux). Change
your browser to Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/) for
your first taste of Open Source software, or try Open Office
(http://www.openoffice.org/). Then make the leap .. perhaps when you
change computer, install Linux on your old one. Or you can install
Linux alongside your Windows installation so you get a choice. You can
even boot Linux from a CD (look for knoppix) and try it out without
installing.

Created by John Allsopp and the Scarborough Linux User Group
(http://www.scarborough.lug.org.uk/), 10 May 2005.