Get Started With Linux

Our installation guide has been updated and revised--it's all you need to explore a new OS.

Note: We first ran this feature last March, when Linux was still a bear to set up and our readers asked for a simple walkthrough to help get the job done. Much has changed since then. Many Linux distributors--Caldera, in particular--have made Linux easier to install. And the latest incarnation of the distribution we highlight here, Red Hat Linux, has made significant strides in ease of use as well. If you're ready to dive into the Linux world, here's how to put Red Hat Linux 6.1 on your PC. --Editors

Why install Linux? Because if you're looking for a fast, reliable, inexpensive operating system that can accommodate multiple users, act as an Internet server, and still support a slick, easy to use graphical interface, it fits the bill better than the alternative.

Reliability is Linux's ace in the hole. While the rumor that Linux never crashes is an exaggeration, it's close to the truth: It is very hard to crash a Linux system. Some installations have been known to run for years without a reboot.

Linux also runs on older machines that can't handle Windows; it will work beautifully, for example, on that old 486 gathering dust in the closet. And, of course, some folks are interested in Linux simply because it's not from Microsoft.

There's much to like about Linux, but getting started with it can be intimidating. For one thing, there isn't only one Linux. Several companies market their own distributions. Each has pros and cons, with their differences lying mainly in installation procedures and in the accompanying software packages. Major Linux distributions include those offered by Red Hat Software, Caldera, Slackware, SuSE, and Debian. In this article, we'll show you how to install the most popular distribution, Red Hat Linux 6.1.

Keep in mind that there are nearly as many ways to install Linux "properly" as there are Linux users. What follows is one way of doing it, so you can get up and running and see what all the fuss is about. We'll assume you're already running Windows 95 or 98, but these instructions will also be useful for installing Linux on a box with no OS.