As Linux is becoming more popular, so am I making more posts about it.

For anyone who doesn’t know, Linux is an Operating System like Windows (an environment for you applications and programs to live in).

Unlike Windows however, Linux is totally free and comes in hundreds of different version made from many different organisations, people and company’s.

Linux is based on Unix and uses a lot of commands derived from the operating system.

The people who actually make money from Linux are company’s like Red Hat, but they don’t actually make money from selling Linux, they make their money from charging support.

One of the most popular distributions of Linux now is one called Mint, which as of March 2017 is the most downloaded version of Linux for the month.

And although there are many different desktop environments which can be installed with Mint, Cinnamon desktop is very nice and sleek and comes pre-installed.

You can download Linux, Mint here.

Why you should try Linux Mint

Gone are the days that only a hard core computer programmer used Linux.

Because linux was based on a server operating system Unix, initially thats all people used it for.

As more and more people started using Linux it developed into a desktop version as well for your home computer, desktop or laptop.

People who jumped on where confused and frustrated because it was still very hard to use, but over the years company’s like Red Hat and Ubuntu have made it a lot easier for the average person to use.

Mint has really taken this a few steps forward making it great to use for the people who is new to Linux, to the advanced programmer.

The installation is streamlined and the desktop environment makes it very easy to use. However, it is not Windows and does not work like Windows. There will be a learning curve just like if you moved from Windows to Mac.

What is a Live CD

Like a lot of Linux Operating Systems, Mint has a live CD also you can download from their website and included in their installation disk or USB media.

When your computer starts up it runs through a process. One of the first steps is your motherboard tells your computer to boot from your hard drive where you operating system (most likely Windows) and files sit on your primary hard drive.

When you use a Live Disk, you choose to boot from the CDROM or USB Disk which will contain a limited function version of Mint, not stored on your hard drive.

There are limitations to this, such as not being able to install and save files, and you also have to go through the manual process booting from the CDrom drive each time.

But it is a good way for a lot of people to be able to test and try Linux and Mint before deciding to install the whole operating system on their computer and hard drive.

Back Up Everything Important to You

Like anything else on your computer or laptop, back up everything before making any major changes like installing an new operating system , Linux or even using a Live CD or USB.

Things just go wrong. Not often, but when they do you will be glad you backed up all your important data and information.

Just backup!