I decided that I should start the introductions at the very basic level--the operating system. Chances are if you are interested in learning about my experiences with Linux and Windows, you know about operating systems and their role in the computing world. If this is so, go ahead and skip to a different section; if not, I'll share my understanding of operating systems in order to give you some background information before you jump right in.

Every program that is run on a computer must have memory (the part of the computer that retains information) allotted to it. Most computers have only one processor (the part of the computer that does the "thinking"), but we run more than one program at a time; somehow, the computer must decide when each program gets to use the processor. Also, many programs make use of the hardware on the computer, like speakers, modems, or the monitor; somehow, the hardware must be made ready for these programs. These tasks, and many others, are the job of the operating system.

Most computers come with the operating system built in, and when erasing everything off the computer, the operating system is the first element that is put back on the computer. Without the operating system, libraries and drivers required by other programs would not be available; even if the program came with all the required files, it would most likely look for these files in specific folders maintained by the operating system. By acting as a central repository for general-use files, the operating system prevents each program from needing to install the same general files over and over, and these files are protected such that one program cannot alter a file needed by another program.

The protection offered by the operating system extends beyond files; the operating system also provides memory, disk (the part of the computer that stores information when the computer is turned off), and processor management. When an installed program is open, it's either idle and taking up memory or running and using the processor; when the program is not open, it takes up disk space. In order to allow multiple programs to run at once, the operating system must manage programs, memory, and the processor. If the operating system did not do this, the program could use all available memory and processor power, leaving other programs slow or unusable. Likewise, if the operating system did not manage disk space, a user could run out of disk space or programs might not be able to save, load, or open files.

Each operating system provides these tasks differently, and most operating systems provide many more tasks. To start things off, we begin with an introduction to Linux.