When I first started working with Linux I had to first copy everything to floppies and install from there. There were none of the bootable CDs, with easy-to-install distributions. It took ages to load from the floppies and often I would discover something was missing and would have to either start over again, or look for the missing pieces.

By the start of the new Millenium, Linux had matured to point where is was as easy to obtain and install as any other operating system. Those who didn’t want to do everything themselves, could buy a number of distributions at their local department store. Many stores were already selling complete systems, with Linux pre-installed for them.