The key thing about Linux is the fact that it's open source. All Linux distributions are open source and are written in accordance with the GNU public licencse.

Whats 'open source'?

Give me an example of the benefits.

What are the draw backs of modified source code?

How do I get bug free software?

Can I still use Windows?

What's open source?

Open source is where the user of the software can edit or modify the source code is they feel confident about doing so.

Why would I want to do that?

How many times has windows or a windows app crashed? All the time!!!
And what happens? A little message box appears telling you an errors occurred.
If you view the error details they mean abosolutely nothing to you. Even if they did and you where confident you could fix the error theirs one thing stopping you. Microsoft's code is closed to the user so you can't touch it.

Thats fine if you like paying for bug ridden updates and downloading free patches (you still pay for your time on the net!"). There is the wide spread belief that Microsoft release's bug ridden applications knowing it ties users to having to buy updates, (I'm not suggesting that they do or don't!! I don't want a court case)

Give me an example of the benefits.

In MS Word a bug is found by a user, Microsoft are notified and later a patch is released or an update of Word is released. The time scale for this is usually quite long.

If the same thing happens with a Linux app, the user posts the bug onto a bullentin board or back to the Author of the app. Usually within a few days its fixed and ready for download. The same goes for most Linux errors, theres some many people updating the OS and the Apps that bugs are always being fixed at not cost to the user!!

What are the draw backs of modified source code?

The main problem is the fact that you can modify some key parts of your operating system.
Thats fine until you mess up and haven't made a back up or a restore disk. However like anyting you can modify you need to approach it with some knowledge of what your doing.
If you get some books on Linux programming and make back ups you should be fine. Anyway if your serious about modifying your system you probably have a good programming knowledge or possibble some 'C' experience.

The other problem is the fact that if everyone is releasing 'better' versions of code they may be unstable due to inadequate testing.

How do I get bug free software?

I always get software from sites that offer tested releases or from magazines that offer fully reveiwed and tested software.

Can I still use Windows?

I dual boot Windows and Linux no problems. It's easy to run both.
Depending on the disribution you pick it is possible to install Linux from Windows. There's usually a dual boot manager to let you pick which OS to use when you switch your computer on.

(Notice I referred to your computer and not just PC's.) Linux is multi platform and can be run on Mac's and Mainframes and Sparc's. These pages only really deal with PC's.