There are many distribution of Linux such as
Ubuntu
Fedora
Red Hat
Debians
Caldera
Mandrake
etc...
but the most common is "Red Hat"
as it is easy to use and install and come with comprehensive utilities and application including X-Window Graphic system.
Many Linux distributions are intended for home users.
1.Linux is a generic term which is a kernel and has several distributions, whereas Ubuntu is one of the Linux kernel-based distribution. 2.Linux started its journey in 1991, whereas Ubuntu took off in 2004. 3.Linux was initially predominant among servers, making it hardly user-friendly among home and office users, whereas with the advent of Ubuntu, which was available on desktop computers, now becoming more receptive and friendly with home and office users. 4.Several Linux distributions are available like Fedora, Suse, Debian and so on, whereas Ubuntu is one such desktop-based distribution based on Linux kernel. 5.Linux is based on the Linux kernel, whereas Ubuntu is based on the Linux system and is one project or distribution. 6.Linux is secure, and most of the Linux distributions do not need anti-virus to install, whereas Ubuntu, a desktop-based operating system, is super-secure among Linux distributions. 7.Some of the Linux distributions are not desktop-based and dominant among servers, whereas Ubuntu is one of the desktop-based, is more user-friendly as compared to other Linux distribution.
Primarily unpaid and volunteer support through community forums and IRC rooms. Some distros have paid support available, though this option is not common for home users.
This is the problem, no one really knows. Unlike Windows or OS X, Linux doesn't really have you "register" or phone home to anyone, so no statistic on how many Linux users there are is accurate. I personally estimate Linux users number at least as much as OS X users, though many will not agree with me.
Linux home servers are not as common as other servers. One should note that Linux home servers are more likely to be used as a work station rather than a simple server.
Most Linux distributions do not include it by default, since it is targeted at children, not the majority of home or business users.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is most commonly used for servers, but some high-end workstations often use it as well. The "enterprise" means that this particular Linux distribution is designed primarily for business use. Red Hat (The company.) also has a desktop variant of Red Hat called "Fedora." It is geared for home users, and it is also where some of the more "experimental" desktop technologies come from, such as PulseAudio and systemd.
Vista Home Premium : Not Linux! Get linux! Vista Business : Not Linux! Get linux!
Lot of people do not use Linux because using Linux would bring them out of their comfort zone. Most users use Windows at work, school, and home and have learned how to use computers through Windows. Even small changes are difficult for novice computer users. One of the main reasons is that some programs can only be used on certain operating systems. Linux, being a smaller player is catching up and is improving to the extent that today almost all programs can be used on Linux systems.
These are the following Windows Operating Systems that support Intel Hyper-Threading Technology: Windows XP Professional and Home Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, Premium, Ultimate and Business. And for Linux users: Red Hat Linux Ver 9(Professional and Personal versions), SuSE Linux Ver 8.2 (Professional and Personal versions), Red Flag Linux Desktop ver 4.0, COSIX Linux 4.0
When you are using a computer with multiple processors. This is common in servers and workstations, and increasingly common in home desktop computers as well.
Downloading Linux distributions is the easiest way. You can usually order a CD as well. I know that the Ubuntu website gives users an opportunity to download or purchase the CD. I think all you need to pay is shipping costs. Another great way to experiment with Linux is by installing it onto a USB drive. PenDriveLinux is a program that will automatically download a linux distribution and copy the iso file onto a USB drive. You can then plug in the USB stick into your computer, restart and in most cases have linux pop up without any hassle. If you want to download that software (it's free) just Google pendrivelinux.