Linux isn't just for servers, you know. IBM recently demonstrated Linux running on a wristwatch. A bit Star Trek, but clever. Of course, very few people are ever going to want to run Linux on a wristwatch, which is probably why IBM only made about 20 of them. But many will want to run it on a PC.

Disaffected Microsoft customers everywhere are turning to Linux. This evolving demand means that Linux companies are creating ever easier-to-use versions for those 'microsofties', and there are even ways of running all your Windows programs under Linux. In fact, Corel helped develop one of them (WINE), partly to make the job of porting PhotoPaint easier, so they didn't have to write as much new code. Very clever.

Unlike Microsoft software, with Linux you can try before you buy via a CD writer and a downloaded ISO disc image. In fact, you never actually need to buy, which saves on those pesky licence fees, but it does pay to invest in the Linux culture by buying a retail package. By doing so, you'll get up to 1,800 applications on CD or even DVD, plus paper manuals and installation support.

The Linux 'Kernel' is what makes Linux what it is. Being 'Open Source' (the source code is freely available to anyone who fancies themselves as a programmer), the Kernel is not actually sold, and like much of the software for Linux, can't legally be sold for profit. This is where the concept of Linux 'distributions' comes in. A Linux distribution is a collection of customised software programs, along with an installer. Most are of the user-friendly, graphical variety these days. Each distribution has its merits, and justifies the (low) price by including paper manuals, support, several CDs, and so on.

You might think that if the Linux kernel is the same, each distribution will be the same. However, our tests show that nothing could be further from the truth. Each distribution has a particular target audience, and the configuration, including software, manuals and support, varies accordingly. Additionally, some offer a wider range of hardware support than others.

So if you're interested in experimenting with Linux, or would like to set up a capable office server that won't cost the earth in software licences, or maybe you just want to see what developments are happening outside of the influence of Mr. Gates (although we might have spoken too soon...), we look here at the pros and cons of buying different distributions.

We set about the difficult task of choosing a favourite by installing each distribution and evaluating its default configuration, manuals and support options. We didn't expect to be able to choose easily between distributions, but in the end one stood out as a clear winner. Click the 'NEXT' link below to find out more.