Today, some questions and answers from the inbox.

Q: I read about an operating system called Linux quite often. What is that?

A: I've mentioned Linux a few times in this column, but I'll be glad to go there once again.

Linux is an operating system much like Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X in general, but it is different in its particulars. There are several varieties, or so-called distros, of Linux, and it has become more popular over time. One of its major claims to fame is that it will run very well on older computers that will no longer run modern versions of Windows at all, which makes it popular among the more thrifty computer users. Also, many distros of Linux are well designed and almost elegant in how well they work. Another plus is that it has few, if any, problems online with malware programs such as Trojans and viruses.

Until recently, the major complaint against Linux from most computer users is that it did not use a GUI or graphical user interface like other operating systems and was therefore harder to learn. Many distros now address this problem, although not all Linux boosters are happy about this.

There are a few netbooks or low-powered notebook computers that use Linux, and you can expect a new crop of these shortly, based on my online research.

Q: You appear in your column to be very negative about the Amazon Kindle and other e-book readers. Why?

A: Actually I feel I'm being realistic, not negative. I would never try to talk someone into getting rid of their Kindle or other e-book reader if they are happy with it. But I certainly would advise anyone considering one of these devices to wait a bit and see what else is released between now and Christmas, perhaps even after the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Regular readers know I'm a big Amazon fan and regularly recommend them, but I am highly skeptical of any device that uses so-called DRM, or digital rights management, for e-books. You may recall the recent ironic incident in which Amazon wirelessly deleted all copies worldwide of some George Orwell books, including "1984," which dealt with a state-based authority that could delete and rewrite history at will.

Also, factor in the relatively high cost of dedicated e-book readers and compare it to other devices that will allow books and so much more on them, such as netbooks and inexpensive desktop computers.

Q: Why do you even mention Microsoft in your column anymore? They're toast. Google and Apple have sealed their doom. Forget them.

A: I've been getting similar comments from other readers. While it's true that Microsoft appears to have painted itself into a corner with Vista and blundered elsewhere, it would be foolish to dismiss them. They have a habit of being persistent, and although they seem to have "Forrest Gumped" their way along the past few years, they are showing signs of life.

They have just closed a deal with Yahoo to combine efforts, getting the best of that deal for sure. Their new search engine, Bing, has actually gained a small amount of ground on Google, something that has never happened before. In fact, I use Bing now as much as Google, and I like it better for some tasks, as it is a bit quicker from time to time. Having said that, I don't see myself giving up Google anytime soon.

Finally, for the first time ever they have released a media player that is getting praise online, the Zune HD. It is by no means an iPod killer, but it has potential, and the demo videos I've seen of its operation are stunning. So counting Microsoft out of contention would be a mistake.