TheManPages - Section 1 - What is Linux?
What is Linux?
Linux is an freely distributed, open source, operating system. An operating system is what Windows XP/Vista is. Once you install it, you can use most of the tasks you would normally perform on a Windows based computer. Linux, as opposed to Windows, is freely available under the GNU GPL (General Public License agreement).
...And GPL?
The GPL is basically a copyright for free software. The idea is to have the freedom to modify and distribute code. So, under the GPL, you can modify any code freely, but if you distribute the code (whether for a fee or for free) you must allow others to have the same rights as you and you must give them access to your source code. This allows them to modify your code and distribute it freely as well. It all encourages growth and maturity in code.
The birth of Linux
Linux was initially created as a hobby by Linux Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linus has an interest in Minix, a small UNIX system, and decided to develop a system that exceeded the Minix standards. He began his work in 1991 when he released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released. The kernel, that's at the heart of every Linux system, was released under the GNU General Public License. The current full version of the Linux Kernel is version 2.6 (released December 2006). (source)
The future of Linux
Linux is so widely used and customizable, that it is constantly evolving and being updated. Pretty much any device can run Linux. If you are using a router, odds are its running Linux. The reason being is that the Kernel is very flexible in its ability to work. All you need to do is write a shell that can use it. Devices can range from iPods to routers to PCs to PDAs. We use Linux based hardware daily without knowing it. And it is because of its wide availability at no cost that makes it the perfect candidate for many devices. Thus ensuring its use in the years to come.
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Credits for this sections
Researcher: freezy, guardian, Sidicas, rdaniels
Writer: kunzy
Editor: root
I currently live in Plano, Texas and work at an IT outsourcing company as a SAN Storage Administrator. You can say I'm one of those 'just out of college kids'.
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