Why I use GNU / Linux / Free software (Why Linux?)

That is "free" as in "freedom", not necessarily "free" as in "without cost". ("Free Software" definition: English or Deutsche.)

positive

most software follows open standards, and easily accessible storage of data
more choice in software, and tends to be more configurable
more secure (although Windows is slowly catching up !) with currently negligible problems with spyware, virii ...
open for all to fix/change, and learn from
avoid using the products of a very un-ethical company (see, for example, Microsoft legal issues, and below)
from a professional point of view I am more familiar with UNIX and learning more *NIX skills is more useful for me.

negative

When you get new hardware device, like a GPS device, or camera, then you need to find suitable software to interface with it instead of using the manufactures standard package. On the other hand when you buy a new device then you can often keep using the *same* software instead of installing a new program that may or may not be backwards compatible with your existing photos/data !
Most of the kids CD-ROM based programs need Windows: we were dual booting to Win98, although some CD-ROM programs do work with the WINE package. Later we used to have an old computer setup for the kids, with Win98 only, but now they use either Linux software or browser based applications. (Most stupidly a lot of these CD-ROMs use a cross-platform format (e.g. Flash or Quicktime), but then wrap it in a Windows only installer/runtime so that it only runs on Windows !)
(!!) more choice in software, and tends to be more configurable (to me this belongs on the positive list, but if it is a problem you can always just stick to your distro-default applications !!)

system / applications that I like

distro Gentoo Easy to keep up with latest releases of packages, but this makes it more suited to intermediate/advanced Linux users.

Ubuntu Used on our 'family' PC: solid and easy to use.

Kernel Linux Good driver/desktop support.

Window manager fvwm2 Extremely configurable

Editor XEmacs Near infinite customisability, and to know it properly is probably a lifetimes work !!

Web Browser firefox Generally more secure and some very useful addons (eg advert/flash blocking). Runs on Windows and Linux (and others), so useful if you use both platforms.

Office package OOo Heavyweight, but does everything (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations...), and handles most incoming MS documents, and will save directly to PDF.
Video Player mplayer Simple interface, but wide (widest?) range of formats supported, including Microsoft and Real.

Terminal Emulator mrxvt Lightweight, tabbed, hightly configurable.

USENET news reader GNUS An XEmacs "mode" so easier to use if you already know/use XEmacs.

Email Reader VM An XEmacs "mode" so easier to use if you already know/use XEmacs.

Spelling Checker aspell in XEmacs Much better at making suggestions for misspelt words than "ispell".

Getting Started

Ideally find a friend who has some Linux disks (you can legally install Linux as many times as you wish from 1 set of disks), or perhaps your IT department at work has some disks, cover disks from a Linux magazine...

If you do not know anyone, then buy a well known distribution with support included, or download and install Ubuntu. In Germany you should find SUSE Linux in most bookstores and computer shops that includes a number of days phone/email support.

First try using a dual boot so that you can choose to start Windows or Linux, or if you really do not want to touch your hard disk then use a "Live" CD that runs Linux directly off a CD and does not require any files to be placed on the hard disk. Knoppix is the best known.

Books on the UNIX "way"

Some people think the UNIX is "just" an operating system. These books may change your mind:

The Art of UNIX Programming - Eric S. Raymond (excellent description of UNIX methods and philosophy)
The Cathedral and the Bazaar - Eric S. Raymond (comparison of Open Source vs. Proprietary software development)
Just for Fun - Linus Torvalds (with David Diamond)
The Cuckoo's Egg - Cliff Stoll

quotes

Richard Stallman (in his own words) of GNU fame:

"There are four essential freedoms that define free software.

Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program as you wish.
Freedom 1: The freedom to help yourself, study the source code and do what you want with it.
Freedom 2: The freedom to make and redistribute copies so you can help your neighbour.
Freedom 3: The freedom to publish a modified version so others can benefit from your work."

Why not Microsoft

avoid using the products of a very un-ethical company: eg:
- Microsoft legal issues (or in German)
- Windows 7 Sins
Recent anti-competition fines:
- BBC 22/12/05 Microsoft may face daily EU fine
- BBC 11/10/05 Microsoft pays RealNetworks $761m
- BBC 01/07/05 Microsoft pays out $775m to IBM
Free Software as Appropriate Technology

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distro	Gentoo	Easy to keep up with latest releases of packages, but this makes it more suited to intermediate/advanced Linux users.
	Ubuntu	Used on our 'family' PC: solid and easy to use.
Kernel	Linux	Good driver/desktop support.
Window manager	fvwm2	Extremely configurable
Editor	XEmacs	Near infinite customisability, and to know it properly is probably a lifetimes work !!
Web Browser	firefox	Generally more secure and some very useful addons (eg advert/flash blocking). Runs on Windows and Linux (and others), so useful if you use both platforms.
Office package	OOo	Heavyweight, but does everything (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations...), and handles most incoming MS documents, and will save directly to PDF.
Video Player	mplayer	Simple interface, but wide (widest?) range of formats supported, including Microsoft and Real.
Terminal Emulator	mrxvt	Lightweight, tabbed, hightly configurable.
USENET news reader	GNUS	An XEmacs "mode" so easier to use if you already know/use XEmacs.
Email Reader	VM	An XEmacs "mode" so easier to use if you already know/use XEmacs.
Spelling Checker	aspell in XEmacs	Much better at making suggestions for misspelt words than "ispell".