Què és GNU/Linux?
When you hear the word Linux, you may think of programmers with a beard typing obscure code on a black screen. Good news! Things have changed.
En poques paraules
GNU/Linux is an operating system, a large piece of software that manages a computer. It is similar to Microsoft Windows, but it is entirely free. The accurate name is GNU/Linux but "Linux" is used more often.
GNU/Linux is not one company's product, but a number of companies and groups of people contribute to it. In fact, the GNU/Linux system is a core component, which is branched off into many different products. They are called distributions.
Distributions change the appearance and function of GNU/Linux completely. They range from large, fully supported complete systems (endorsed by companies) to lightweight ones that fit on a USB memory stick or run on old computers (often developed by volunteers).
Using GNU/Linux
GNU/Linux is no harder to use than Windows, and has many more capabilities. It just takes a dozen minutes to get familiar with a distribution like the ones we recommend for newcomers, which come in with many programs installed.
If you need commercial-quality software to work with business documents, Internet/networking, or multimedia and graphics, it's there right out of the box. Want more than that? GNU/Linux can do – there are many hundreds of free, high quality applications you can find, install and uninstall neatly and easily.
You shouldn't assume however, that GNU/Linux is a clone of Windows. To know what to expect when stepping into it, we suggest you read our Making the switch page.


La resposta completa
When you get a distribution of GNU/Linux, you also get the freedom to study, copy, change, and redistribute it – that's what makes it truly free software.
Many companies develop their own operating system based on the core GNU software: products they do not have exclusive rights on. How does the wheel turn?
- Moltes empreses fan negoci del suport i serveis sobre les seves distribucions GNU/Linux. Els clients compren la garantia de les actualitzacions segures i l'assistència. Altres serveis inclouen formació i millores a mida del programari.
- Some companies, such as HP or IBM, contribute to GNU/Linux because they pre-install it on servers they sell.
- El fet que una comunitat àmplia participi en el desenvolupament i millora del programari, disminueix costos i millora l'eficiència.
En última instància, l'usuari final acostuma a tenir els programes a cost zero, mentre que les empreses acostumen a preferir pagar per més suport.
Per què no Windows?
Per què hauríeu d'evitar utilitzar Microsoft Windows
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