only Linux source code
In the early days of Linux, a distribution was released as a set of floppy disks. You had to download groups of files and then manually copy them onto disks. It would usually take 20 or more disks to make an entire distribution! Needless to say, this was a painful experience.
Later, when home computers commonly had CD or DVD players built in, Linux distributions were released as either a CD set or a single DVD. Often you would download a single DVD image file (commonly called an ISO file after the file extension used), then burn that image onto a DVD. That made installing Linux much easier.
Nowadays, with many computers foregoing DVD players, Linux distributions are still released as ISO image files, but now utilities allow you to burn them onto a bootable USB flash drive. Modern computers have the ability to boot from the USB drive, which is still commonly found on both workstations and servers.
While having lots of options available in a distribution is great for Linux geeks, it can become a nightmare for beginning Linux users. Most distributions ask a series of questions during the installation process to determine which applications to load by default, what hardware is connected to the PC, and how to configure the hardware. Beginners can often find these questions confusing. As a result, they often either load way too many programs on their computer or don't load enough and later discover that their computer won't do what they want it to.
Fortunately for beginners, there's a much simpler way to install Linux.
Specialized Linux distributions
Over the years a new subgroup of Linux distributions had appeared, designed specifically for new Linux users. These are typically based on one of the core distributions, but contain only a subset of applications that would make sense for a specific area of use.
Besides providing specialized software (such as only office products for business users, or games for gamers), customized Linux distributions also attempt to help beginning Linux users by auto-detecting and auto-configuring common hardware devices. This makes installing Linux a much more enjoyable process.
Table 1-2 shows some of the more popular specialized Linux distributions available and what they specialize in.
TABLE 1-2 Specialized Linux Distributions
| Distribution | Description |
| Mint | A desktop distribution configured to replace a standard Windows workstation |
| Ubuntu | Provides desktop and server distributions designed for school and home use |
| MX Linux | A desktop distribution for home users with older hardware |
| openSUSE | An open source version of the commercial SUSE distribution |
| PCLinuxOS | A distribution focusing on support for advanced graphics and sound cards |
| Puppy | Another small distribution that runs well on older PCs |
That's just a small sampling of specialized Linux distributions. There are literally hundreds of specialized Linux distributions, and more are popping up all the time on the Internet. No matter what your specialty, you'll probably find a Linux distribution made for you.
The Linux Live distribution
A great phenomenon in the Linux world is the bootable Linux DVD distribution, originally called a LiveDVD. These days, most computers allow you to start up by reading the operating system from either the DVD or a USB drive instead of the hard drive. This lets you see what a Linux system is like without actually installing it.
To take advantage of this feature, some Linux distributions create a bootable ISO file that you can burn on to a DVD or USB stick. These distributions contain a subset of the full Linux system. Due to the size limitations, the sample can't contain a complete Linux system, but you'd be surprised at all the software they can cram in! The result is, you can boot your PC from the DVD or USB stick, and then install the rest of the packages you need from the Internet.
This is an excellent way to test various Linux distributions without having to mess with your PC. Just pop in a DVD or USB stick and boot! All the Linux software will run directly off the DVD or USB device. These days just about every Linux distribution has a Live version, so it's easy to download a distribution from the Internet and burn it onto a DVD (or USB stick) to test drive.
Some Linux Live distributions, such as Ubuntu, allow you to install the Linux distribution directly from the Live device as well. This enables you to boot with the DVD or USB stick, test drive the Linux distribution, and then if you like it, install it onto your hard drive. This feature is extremely handy and user-friendly.
As with all good things, Linux Live distributions have a few drawbacks. Because you access everything from the DVD or USB stick, applications run more slowly, especially if you're using older, slower computers and DVD drives. Also, any changes you make to the Linux system will be gone the next time you reboot.
Chapter 2
Prepping Your Computer for Linux
IN THIS CHAPTER
There are many different ways to get a Linux workstation up and running. With the growing popularity of Linux some companies sell laptops with Linux
