First of all, Linux is totally free to download from Internet. There are lots of distributions available on the market. The ones well known are Redhat Linux (available on www.redhat.com), Slackware Linux (available on www.slackware.com), SuSe Linux (available on www.suse.com), Debian Linux (available on www.debian.com), Corel Linux (available on www.corel.com).

These distributions cost something like 50 $ (some of these including: box, manuals, more CD's with additional software, documentation, games, technical support access and other). But you can also download freely from their sites (or mirrors) the Linux kit, or CD images, or everything about Linux that is free. Also you can even install Linux directly from the Internet (if you have access and a reasonable speed to do it).

Lots of people think that if a software is free, it's not worth too much attention or money. That is false! Most of the Linux free software was developed by good programmers or students, and the programs are very practical, complete, useful and well done. Almost in every software package there is somebody from a University, which contributed developing it. The sources are freely available, so every programmer can correct things or add new features and then publish them, making the program better. Also if someone is making a mistake, lots of people who work on that project will notice, so none can implement backdoors or errors in the software without notice.

New and updated versions (containing bug fixes or new features) appear very fast (in some cases even once a day). The programmers are making the software only for pleasure or hobby, and are not limited by a salary, or a company's market policy or software policy. Also, if one has a problem, he can ask something about it on a Linux or Unix board on the net, and he will get the answer immediately.