Linux||Info & Service
Linux Dictionary
This page will list some terms commonly used into the Linux world and their meaning to the average user.
Distro = Distribution. This is the version or type of Linux you are using. In general it is safe to say that all version of Linux are "Linux". In that, most of the various distros will have similiar program (package) selections and are compatible with eachother.
Packages = Programs. Programs in Linux are referred to as "packages". These packages can be a single purpose program or a set of program to provide a certain set of functions.
Package Manger = The program organizer. A package manager is perhaps the most important feature that determines wether or not that distro is right for you. Package managers can pull from multiple program resources or from a single resource. This greatly affects the flexibility and the complexity of package installation, updating, and maintaince.
Repositories (Repos) = Program Libraries. Repostories are sites, usually found on the internet, where packages are storied for comsumption by the Linux users. These repositories will vary from distro to distro. Some distros will use multiple repositories, which may be maintained by various groups or companies, while other distros may pull from a few (or one) repositories to help simplify the package management for the end user.
Linux Cost Savings
Generally, Linux distros are free of charge to download, install and use. Some enterprise editions of Linux do have costs associated with them due to various propriatary packages that come with those distros. Typically there are no licensing fees or finacial concerns about being forced into bleed money on 'upgrade cycles' so commonly found in more common closed source, propriatary software.
What is Linux?
Linux is an operating system that is built upon various programs (packages) that function together in a form commonly referred to as a 'distribution'. There are a great many distributions (distros) to choose from. Each is targetted towards a different audience, function and have a wide variety is the choices of package management. In the past, Linux has sometimes been considered to be a tool only used by computer 'geeks' and those with a good amount of time to learning a complex system. However, in recent years, there has been a great deal of work done to make user-friendly Linux distros that are simple to install, simple to manage and simply 'work' the way you'd expect. The are a great many benefits in using Linux as your operating system of choice. These benefits are covered in the pull down menu of this Linux section.