There aren't any, only stupid answersAnswers to stupid Questions
There aren't any, only stupid answers
Does Linux have a graphical user interface?
Yes, but it obviously looks different to the Windows GUI and works very differently under the covers. There are actually several and you will usually have the choice at the time when you log in. The most popular are GNOME and KDE.
Does Linux run Windows programs?
No, in most cases the Windows programs you use have equivalents under Windows and so there is no need to run Windows programs. Web browsers, email programs, word processing and other office applications, instant messaging and other common software are all well catered for under Linux.
If you really need to run certain Windows programs there are ways of doing it.
WINE is the free way and implements certain parts of Windows functionality so that some Windows programs can run.
CrossOver Office is the paid-for way. It is a commercially supported version of WINE and is usually a few steps ahead of WINE, it certainly allows you to run Microsoft Office. There is a list of supported applications on their website.
Cedega is similar to WINE and CrossOver Office but allows you to play Windows games. Again, their supported games list is on their website.
The other option is to use virtualisation to run a copy of Windows on Linux. Products are available paid and free, such as VMWare, Qemu, Xen and so on. You will still need a valid version of Windows. Games are unlikely to play well in a virtual machine.
Can I play games on Linux?
Yes, there are many games for Linux, some good, some not, some well known, some unknown outside of the Linux world.
On the whole, most big games companies don't make Linux versions, but games based on the Unreal Tournament and the Quake engines do run on Linux. There are Linux versions of Quake I, II and III, Unreal Tournament (various releases), Return to Castle Wolfenstein, WolfET, Tremulous and others, but on the whole, most games vendors don't release Linux versions.
Linux Games Publishing and Tux Games do their best to encourage games makers to port to Linux and sell many Linux games via their websites.
There are some very good free Linux games from studio productions like WolfET, arcade type games like Planet Penguin Racer, Flight Simulators like Flightgear (very good), to simple desktop card and puzzle type games like Solitaire, chess, Tetris, Crazy Golf (Kolf) and so on. You won't be bored.
Do I have to compile everything myself and fix it if it doesn't work?
No. You could but people have done all of the hard work for you so why bother?
Most software is provided by your Linux distributor. They normally include a program to add, remove and search for software. In Ubuntu, this is called Synaptic.
Didn't find what you wanted eh?
If you really need help try joining your local Linux User Group, thats what they are for - asking questions and giving and requesting assistance from your peers. There are lists for the UK at http://www.lug.org.uk/ and worldwide at http://www.linux.org/