Introduction

This new Fast & Easy book from Premier Press will help you understand, use, and unleash the power of Lindows, the latest Linux operating system. Lindows offers computer users something they really haven't had in the past-a choice.

Lindows changes the way we traditionally view computers and software. Typically, we dish out a lot of money for a computer, and then we have to spend even more money on software to make the computer work. With Lindows, not only do you get the operating system, you also get access to thousands of different programs-at no extra charge! When you purchase the Lindows operating system or a Lindows computer, you get a subscription to Click-N-Run, a library of thousands of software titles. When you download and install any of the software packages from the Click-N-Run service, they are yours to keep and use, regardless of when your subscription expires .

Lindows is based upon Linux, an operating system that was initially developed by a fellow named Linus Torvalds. Linux is an open source operating system, meaning that nobody owns its source code, the basic code that makes up the operating system. The advantage of being open source is that the development of the operating system is based on a worldwide collaboration of developers. Some of the key advantages of Linux operating systems is that they are stable, inexpensive, performance-oriented, and have a large support community.

Traditionally, one of the downsides of Linux operating systems is that they were difficult to install. Lindows, on the other hand, has one of the easiest and fastest installation sequences. In under ten minutes you can have it installed, and you'll be ready to take advantage of its many features. Lindows is also designed in such a way that if you have had any experience in working with computers, you'll find the transition to Lindows quite easy.

Lindows Fast & Easy is broken up into four main parts . The first part deals with getting your computer up and running. In these chapters, you'll learn how to install Lindows, and you'll learn the basic operations for your computer. Part II covers how to install, run, and use programs on your Lindows-based computer. In Part III, you'll learn about many of the things you can do with your computer while online, and in Part IV, you'll learn to configure the operating system to meet your personal preferences.

The sheer volume of things that you could do with your Lindows-based computer could fill fifty books. Lindows Fast & Easy is meant to be a guide to help you perform the most common tasks with your computer. I've intended to provide you with information that will enable you to accomplish these tasks as quickly and easily as possible.