Getting Started With Linux

32-bit vs. 64-bit

Processors in new computers are "64-bit". This has to do with how the processor processes instructions, so programs that have been compiled for 64-bit processors will not run on old 32-bit processors. However, the new processors are "backward compatible", meaning they can run programs compiled for 32-bit processors. Even though 64-bit processors have been available for several years now, many computers come with a 32-bit version of Microsoft Windows installed. When a 32-bit OS is installed on a 64-bit processor, the computer will only be able to run 32-bit programs, even though the processor is cable of running 64-bit programs. So, there are three parts when considering 32-bit vs 64-bit

• The computer's processor (hardware)
• The computer's operating system (software)
• The program to run (software)

Installing on a Virtual Machine

This is the simplest way to start using Linux without losing anything on your current computer setup. A VirtualBox is a program that emulates a PC (i.e. a virtual machine), which you can then install an operating system on. To Install Linux on a virtual machine, you need to

1. install VirtualBox on your computer
2. create a new virtual machine in VirtualBox
3. install Linux on the new virtual machine