is there any difference between google.com and google.com/linux? Does the linux google search specifically for linux related sites or is the main difference the picture of tux for the penguin aficionados?

The linux search specifically looks for the "defined search term" in or with Linux related sites.

So if you did a search on ATi on google.com and then on google.com/linux will return different results.

cool thanks.

2 comments to improve ur googling
if you want to google search in only a specific site, say linuxquestions.org and you are looking for "windows sucks"
you type in "windows sucks site:linuxquestions.org" it will only search the site linuxquestions.org

also, for instance if you want to search for windows(as in windows for a house) you can search for "windows -microsoft"
the minus sign takes away any search results that have anything to do with microsoft
the same works with the plus sign if you want to add something to your search, so for instance "windows +construction"

also dont forget to turn off safe search (in preferences). unless you want google to decide what your eyes can see!!!