What is the difference between "linen" and fabric that is 28- or 25-count, etc? Or, is there a difference?

The word “linen” refers to the fiber content of the fabric…other fiber contains could be cotton, polyester, rayon and all sorts of blends of any of these.

“28-count”, etc. refers to the number of threads per inch. Just as 14-count Aida has 14 blocks to the inch, 25-count linen has 25 threads to the inch. Generally these fabrics are stitched “over two”, so on linen you would have 12.5 stitches to the inch (larger than Aida 14!). The great advantage is that when you do a quarter stitch you do not need to force the needle down the center of the block, but rather drop it gently and neatly into the center hole of the square which is there waiting for you.

Information from Cross Country Stitching Magazine columns "Ask Judie" - Judie Solomon, Thistle Needleworks & "Carol’s Crafty Corner" - Carol Rice, The Craft Menagerie

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