LINUX INSTALL AND DISTRIBUTE

How many distributions are out there?

There are hundreds of Linux operating systems or Distributionsavailable these days. Many of them are designed with a specific purpose in mind. For example, to run a web server or to run on network switches like routers, modems etc.

The latest example of one of the most popular smartphone basedLinux Distribution is Android!

Many of these Distributions are built to offerexcellent personal computing.

Here, are a few popular Linux Distributions (also called Linux Distro) -

Linux Distribution	Name	Description
	Arch	This Linux Distro is popular amongst Developers. It is an independently developed system .It is designed for users who go for a do-it-yourself approach.
	CentOS	It is one of the most used Linux Distribution for enterprise and web servers. It is a free enterprise class Operating system and is based heavily on Red Hat enterprise Distro.
	Debian	Debian is a stable and popular non-commercial Linux distribution. It is widely used as a desktop Linux Distro and is user-oriented. It strictly acts within the Linux protocols.
	Fedora	Another Linux kernel based Distro, Fedora is supported by the Fedora project, an endeavor by Red Hat. It is popular among desktop users. Its versions are known for their short life cycle.
	Gentoo	It is a source based Distribution which means that you need to configure the code on your system before you can install it. It is not for Linux beginners, but it is sure fun for experienced users.
	LinuxMint	It is one of the most popular Desktop Distributions available out there. It launched in 2006 and is now considered to be the fourth most used Operating system in the computing world.
	OpenSUSE	It is an easy to use and a good alternative to MS windows. It can be easily set up and can also run on small computers with obsolete configurations.
	RedHat enterprise	Another popular enterprise based Linux Distribution is Red Hat Enterprise.It has evolved from Red Hat Linux which was discontinued in 2004. It is a commercial Distro and very popular among its clientele.
	Slackware	Slackware is one of the oldest Linux kernel based OS's. It is another easy desktop Distribution. It aims at being a 'Unix like' OS with minimal changes to its kernel.
	Ubuntu	This is the third most popular desktop operating system after Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS. It is based on the Debian Linux Distribution and it is known for its desktop environment.

The Best Linux Distribution !

The term best is relative. Each Linux distribution is built for a specific purpose built to meet the demands of its target users.

The desktop Distributions are available for free at their respective websites. You might want to try them one by one till you get to know which Distribution you like the most. Each one of them offers it's own unique design, applications and security.

We will be using Ubuntu for our learning purpose as it's easy for a beginner to understand.

Installing Linux

Let's look the various methods we can use to install Ubuntu.

USB stick

This is one of the easiest methods of installing Ubuntu or any distribution on your computer. Follow the steps.

• Download the .iso or the OS files on your computer from this link .
• Download free software like 'Universal USB installer'to make a bootable USB stick.
• Boot your computer through it and follow the instructions as they come.

Live CD

Those who like the way a CD runs should try using this method.

(image source)

• Download the .iso or the OS files onto  your computer from this linkhttp://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop.
• Burn the files on a CD .
• Boot your computer through the optical drive and follow the instructions as they come.

Virtual Installation

This is a popular method to install a Linux operating system. Virtual installation offers you the freedom of running Linux on an existing OS already installed on your computer. This means if you have Windows running, then you can just run Linux with a click of a button.

Virtual machine software like Oracle VM can install Ubuntu in easy steps. Let us look at them.

• Download and install Oracle VM on your computer.
• Click on new on the VM tool bar. Enter the VN Name and OS Type.
• Follow the instructions. You will see Ubuntu configured in your VM.

Double click on it . Ubuntu will load as a separate machine while you are working on Windows  

Testing a Distribution

Those who want to test a distribution before installing it on a computer and replacing the existing OS would be surprised to know that you can easily run it from the USB stick/CD . Then you can easily check out the interface. This way you can learn whether you like the distribution or not and can either install or move on to another one.

You can even install Linux side by side with Windows or any other OS (dual booting). So you can also go for a system which has two of your favorite operating systems installed on it.   

Summary

• An operating system based on the Linux kernel is called a Distribution or Distro
• There are hundreds of Distributions available, some of which are designed to accomplish a sole purpose like running servers, act as network switches etc.
• Naming the best Linux Distribution is difficult as they are made for different.
• Linux can be installed in your system via the below mentioned methods:
• USB stick
• Live CD
• Virtual Installation