Open source is built by people like you.
Open source means the source code is public — anyone can read it, modify it, and contribute back. Projects like Blender, Firefox, and Linux itself are all maintained by communities of volunteers and companies working together.
Compare that to closed source software like Windows or macOS, where only the owning company can see or change the code. Open source flips that model entirely — and it's changed the world.
Linux mint is the most beginner-friendly Linux distro. It is a great way to experience Linux without committing to anything. You can run it in a virtual machine, or just test it on your main computer through the live usb.
Get UbuntuLinux itself is the pure command line. No desktop, nothing. you can test it in a command window. If you want to test it out, start with basic commands: ls, cd, mkdir.
GitHub is where the open source world lives. Blender, Firefox, Wikipedia's software, VSCode all on GitHub. Browse projects, open issues, or submit your first pull request.
Visit GitHubr/linux on Reddit is a great starting point. There are also dedicated forums, Discord servers, and local Linux User Groups (LUGs) all over the world ready to help.