What is OS (operating system)?

The operating system is the Software on which we run application software. I am defining OS for those who are not familiar with the term operating system. Examples of the operating system are Windows by Microsoft, Apple's Macintosh, Linux, and Android by Google. The non-technical persons may be familiar with the two operating systems only namely Windows and Macintosh. But today I will tell you that there are hundreds of OS available free over the internet which you can use. So, I will be telling you about Linux which is free and easily usable. We do not need to install Linux on the computer to use it; it is usable via USB (pen drive). We can use Linux without installing it.

The number of Linux OS available to Download:

Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds. He made it possible to have an operating system that could be used free of cost. We pay many dollars for Mackintosh and Windows operating systems just because we are used to these operating systems. As Linux is free, developers widely use it as they don't want to pay for it. So they use Linux according to their choice. You can also use Linux by just downloading the OS and using it without installing it. There are many Linux versions available which even many developers don't know because of its changeable nature. Here is the list of different Linux OS which is easy to use, and install, and have plug-and-play functions.

1. Ubuntu
2. Mint
3. Redhat 
4. Fedora 
5. Debian
6. CentOS 
7. Knoppix 
8. Mageia
9. OpenSuse 
10. Slackware
11. Gentoo 

How you can install and Use Linux without installing:

There are many ways to use the Linux operating system. You can easily use it using a compact disk or USB, pen drive. Nowadays people prefer pen drives. So, I suggest you use the pen drive for booting.  To install or use the OS, you need to make your pen drive bootable. Now the question arises of how you can make your pen drive bootable. Well, the answer to your question is as easy as downloading the OS. There are some booting software Available with which you can make your pen drive bootable. Here is the list of the same.

• Unetbootin 
• Ubuntu startup disk creator
• Universal USB installer
• Rufus 
• Xboot

These are booting software. You can download and use these booting software. I have provided the link for the same; you can click on the names of the software to get them.

Plug and play feature of Linux:

The OS is best known for its Plug and Play feature. That means you can use any OS of Linux without installing it on your actual hard drive. You can use the 2 GB pen drive for plug-and-play of the OS depending on the size. One can use it to test the compatibility with the hardware too. Not only this you can install the OS along with Windows. I also use the multi-operating system desktop, with Windows and Linux Mint. So go ahead download the free OS, boot it, and enjoy.

I will be posting more about Operating systems in the future. You can subscribe to more like this post.

Best Linux Distribution for kids.