Free software, an ongoing definition

  

 

free software has to be understood as freedom for the programmer and the user not as in 'free of charge' although that is usually the case as well

Linux is the operating system most often associated with open source but it's philosophy can be seen spreading to other OS's

http://www.fsf.org
http://www.gnu.org

there are a number of different Linux distributions to choose from:

redhat
SuSe
Debian
Mandrake, CodeRed, linuxppp, etc...

there are a number of desktop managers to choose from:

KDE
gnome
fwm...or no desktop at all for the hardcore artists

the 'brain' of all these distribitions is the Linux kernel named after Linus Thorvalds

kernel development

 

there is a number of free applications available through each distribution. For a full list of creative software, search 'freshmeat' or go to http://linuxartist.org some of the important artistic ones are:

Gimp (Gnu Image Manipulation Program)
Broadcast2000 (audio+video editing) (not available for downaload anymore because of successful lawsuits against GPLed software's no warranty clause)
jazz (midi sequencing)
jmax (realtime audio (and now video ;-) programming environment)