Linux (pronounced lin'uks) is a free open source operating system similar to windows. Free meaning is doesn't cost you anything to buy it. You can download it off the internet and use it. Open source means that the Code that linux is written in is free to everyone to look at and contribute to. This allows for flaws to be pointed out and fixed very quickly. (There has NEVER been a virus released for Linux) In fact most software written for Linux is free and open source. Microsoft Windows is closed source. Linux has always been known as the geek operating system. Too complex for the every day user. A few years ago a guy by the name of Mark Shuttleworth decided it was time to try and make Linux usable by the average person. His creation is Ubuntu Linux. I have personally been running Ubuntu Linux on my home PC for 3 years now. Insta-Tek uses all Linux pc's and servers. Ubuntu has made Linux a usable desktop operating system for the home user. With the combination of Ubuntu Linux and Open Office you can do just about everything you could with your Windows pc for FREE. With the added bonus of keeping your existing hardware and not having to worry about spyware or virus's.