二进制和源代码形式的自由／开源软件都可以从因特网免费下载。Linux 核心可以从 http://www.kernel.org/ 下载，其它应用程序也有各自的站点。但是，大部分用户倾向于获取整套 Linux 发行版本。下表列出了一些最知名的 Linux 发行者：
| 知名 Linux 发行者 | |
|---|---|
| Debian | www.debian.org |
| Redhat | www.redhat.com |
| SuSe | www.suse.com |
| Mandrake | www.mandrakelinux.com |
| SlackWare | www.slackware.com |
| TurboLinux | www.turbolinux.com |
从供应商处获取 Linux 成套发行版本的好处有很多。成套的 Linux 相对于“组装”的 Linux 最大的好处是节省了用户的时间：
FOSS, in binary and source code format, is free and downloadable from the Internet. The Linux kernel itself can be downloaded from http://www.kernel.org and other applications from their respective websites. However, most users tend to obtain distributions of Linux. The following is a table of some of the most popular distributors of Linux:
Popular Linux Distributors
Debian
www.debian.org
Redhat
www.redhat.com
SuSe
www.suse.com
Mandrake
www.mandrakelinux.com
SlackWare
www.slackware.com
TurboLinux
www.turbolinux.com
The advantages of going with distributions of Linux are many. The single most important advantage of vendor Linux over “stock” Linux is that it saves users time:
Download time: The Linux operating system and complementary software involve large files and long download times. A standard 56kbps modem would take at least 45 days to download a standard 3 CD distribution. Vendors also provide bundled software—browsers, server applications, office suite, etc.—that saves the users from the tedious work of hunting and downloading individual software packages.
Installation and compiling time: Many FOSS packages are downloadable only as source code. Users are required to compile and install the software themselves, assuming they are competent enough to do so. On a slow computer, compilation of source code may take days or even weeks. Vendor distributions of Linux often come precompiled and packaged with an easy installation system that takes less than an hour to install on most modern systems.
Quality assurance: Vendors typically perform extensive testing to ensure that all of the components work well together. Since FOSS projects are developed independently, there is always the chance that changes in one package have outdated another package. Vendors resolve these dependencies for the user, supplying an integrated package that works “out of the box”.
Learning time: Vendors provide manuals and publish reference material (for sale) for their products, making Linux much easier for the average user to learn.