What versions are free to download

[ClassicD]

Hi

This is my first post, I'm want to know about Linux but what version are available for free to use and what others would i have to pay for?

I'm interested in SUSE but I'm sure i have to pay for that.


Thanks
ClassicD

[oz]

Hello and welcome to the forums!

Most are free to download. You can also download OpenSUSE for free.

Hope you will have fun with Linux...

[cynwulf]

There are some distributions which are only available through paid subscription, e.g. Red Hat Enterprise Linux or SUSE Linux Enterprise, but those are targeted at corporate users. The vast majority of distributions are free (as in speech) and gratis. If you are a complete newbie, then you might want to go for a beginner friendly distro, e.g. such as Linux Mint, before advancing to the more traditional distributions.

[MASONTX]

Welcome to linux. You can go to distrowatch.com and download over 600 versions of linux, called distro's, for free. Most can be tried as a live cd/dvd (works from disk without installing, but if installed run faster). They have a top 100 list on the right hand side of the page, listed in order of the most downloaded is 1, 2nd most downloaded is 2, etc. You can also use the search function to zero in on features you may be interested in such as beginner friendly, works on I386, based on Ubuntu, gnome desktop, etc. If you use rw media, you can download and try them 1 at a time without wasting cd's. After trying a few, you will probably find you like distro's based on a particular branch of linux, such as debian based, ubuntu (which is based on debian), slackware based, suse based, etc. You will probably also develop a preference for which DE (desktop environment) you like to use, gnome, KDE, LXDE, XFCE, IceWM, etc. Google is your friend, most questions can be answered with a quick google search, such as what is a DE, or what is a WM. Have fun with it and explore.

[ClassicD]

Alright Great! Thanks for your help this will sure get me started.

Classic