Linear texture filtering

After I submitted my graphics assignment this week, JP suggested me to do linear texture filtering into my sampler so it won't appear so pixelated. This is a nice tutorial about this linear texture filtering: http://www.toymaker.info/Games/html/sampler_states.html

With this filter, my floor looks so shiny and glossy

New glossy and shiny floor

So, what is linear texture filtering? Wikipedia described linear texture filtering or bilinear filtering as a texture filtering method used to smooth textures when displayed larger or smaller than they actually are. In my understanding, linear texture filtering can be seen as blurring effect in Photoshop.