Linux is a viable desktop operating system alternative to Windows and Mac OSX. It can be used to browse the internet, communicate via email and chat, manage media and files, do school and work tasks, and install additional software. Some advantages of Linux include security, stability, customizability, and it is free. Things to be aware of include hardware compatibility issues and lack of some Windows applications, though equivalent open source alternatives often exist.

1. What can I do with Linux and Open Source? KW Linux Users Group Raul Suarez April 2008

4. I've been using Linux for several years as a main OS saving my self a lot of money, time and frustration and most importantly: making it “mine”

5. I'll show how you too can get these benefits while using your computer to do what you normally do. I will also show you some possibilities to do what you currently don't do while avoiding virus and malware.

7. An OS controls the interaction between the user and the computer and among programs.

8. Equivalent to Windows, Mac OSX, Unix.

9. GNU/Linux OS's are called “distributions”

10. Distribution: Package of Linux, configuration utilities and applications

13. Communicate (email, Chat, VOIP)

14. Organize, view and edit media (pictures, music and video)

15. Do school work: Write a school paper

16. Manage home finances

17. Organize your contacts and documents

18. Play

19. Install software to do what we want to do

21. Communicate

22. Work with media

23. School work

24. Home finances

25. Contacts and documents

26. Play

27. Install software

28. Your suggestions

30. Internet traffic blocking and monitoring

31. Web development and hosting

32. Home media automation

33. Private VOIP PBX

34. Personal PVR

35. Carry your OS and data on a USB memory

37. Internet traffic blocking and monitoring

38. Web development and hosting

39. Home media automation

40. Private VOIP PBX

41. Personal PVR

42. Carry your OS and data on a USB memory

44. It's stable

45. It's low maintenance

46. It is customizable

47. It is free (as in speech)

48. It is free (as in beer)

50. There are a lot of Linux distributions you may try more than one.

51. Not many developers of action games. But great strategy games.

52. Linux is NOT Windows. Windows applications don't natively work under Linux: You need “Wine” to run them but most likely there is an equivalent Linux application

54. Questions?