Distributions

A distribution, sometimes called a distro is a combination of OSS packaged together for a particular purpose. The Linux kernel is the basis for a complete operating system. This kernel is combined with utilities like those created in the GNU project along with other components like a window manager to create a graphical user interface and a desktop manager. Compare this to Windows XP or Mac OSX with one major difference. Since all of this software is open source, it be combined in a myriad of ways or modified to fit specific purposes.

Distrowatch is a great source of news and information on the various distros now available.

Slackware and Debian were among the first distos, and many others followed.  Another prominent and commercial distribution is Redhat Linux.

A unique feature of OSS that is clearly seen in distributions is branching.  Branching occurs when an individual or community of users want to build on an OSS project, but take it in a different direction.  Distros are a myriad of branches.

The most popular linux distros are Ubuntu Linux and PCLinux. Ubuntu is a branch of Debian and PCLinux is a branch of Mandrake, which is a branch of Redhat.

Firefox

Along with Linux, FireFox is one of the most successful OSS projects.

Firefox is probably one of the most familiar names in OSS and the community of users is huge.  You can run Firefox right now, quite easily, because it is available for all major operating sytems.

Firefox is a slim, fast web browser which is highly customizable with plugins and the look can be modified with themes.  Many choose Firefox because it is less prone to many of the attacks targeted at Internet Explorer, or because it allows you to browse the web in a way that reflects your needs.

Firefox is more than an OSS success story, it is deeply reflective and connected to the entire movement.  Netscape Navigator was once the dominant web browser until Microsoft focused on usurping their lead, basically by offering Internet Explorer for free. Users dropped the Netscape version and their market share fell. Then, in 1998 encouraged by the Cathedral and Bazaar, most of the code for Netscape was released to the open source community. The result of this was the Mozilla Foundation.  Firefox is a branch of that project.