Linux Operating System

Linux is an operating system which is rapidly growing in popularity for both personal and commercial use. Unlike the proprietary software of Microsoft Windows or Macintosh OS, the source code for Linux is freely available to anyone. There is no Linux company, and there is no single official version of Linux. Rather, there are hundreds of versions (called distributions) modified by companies and individuals from the freely available Linux Kernel.

Linux version 0.02 was first released in 1991 by its designer, Linus Torvalds. In 1994, version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released. The Linux Kernel operates under GNU's General Public License. GNU (which stands for "GNUs Not UNIX") had been working for the previous 10 years to develop a complete UNIX style operating system, and Linux was exactly what they had in mind. Many pundits insist on calling Linux the more accurate GNU/Linux (which is appreciated by the folks at GNU), but the more commonly used moniker remains simply Linux.

The Linux Kernel is the core of any Linux operating system, but there are modifications in any given system which may be moderate or quite broad in scope. Many important hardware manufacturers (IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and more) are supporting the development of Linux. Linux is increasingly popular as a server platform for companies all over the world. Many manufacturers are now developing microchips for appliances which use Linux as their operating system. At first, it was only self-described computer geeks who were using Linux on desktop computers at home--but in the last few years its popularity has grown in that realm, as well.

Reasons to Choose Linux

For some people it is a matter of principle and functionality--they feel resentful toward the major software companies that charge exorbitant rates for products which often have serious bugs. With the code of Linux freely available, thousands of people have had the chance to de-bug and smooth out the program. It's actually possible to have a Linux operating system which doesn't crash at all--which, if you have dealt with some version of Windows, will seem like a near miracle. Other people are distrustful of the proprietary operating systems. There's a prevalent sense that you never really know how someone is keeping tabs on you when their software is installed on your computer and connected to the Internet. With Linux, you can be sure that your privacy is protected.

Another reason that Linux was, at first, a reasonable choice only for those with extensive computer knowledge was that in the nascent stages of Linux, many other programs you would want to use were not Linux-compatible. Many people wouldn't know how to install multiple operating systems and switch back and forth when they needed to use software which couldn't run on Linux (a process known as dual-booting). When software designers realized how reliable, versatile, and functional Linux was, however, they started developing compatible applications in increasing numbers. The result is that you can now use Linux to run almost any application that you would wish to use daily on your PC.

The Mozilla web browser, for example, is now many people's preferred web browser. It was designed to operate on a Linux system (though it works on Microsoft Windows and the Mac OS, as well), and many people think it is the clearest, most user-friendly, and reliable web browser available. OpenOffice is a free suite of programs equivalent to the word processor, spreadsheet, and so on in the Microsoft Office package. People love it for the same reasons that they love Linux--the code is freely available, so people have been able to modify the program and make it increasingly user-friendly and reliable.

Try Linux Live on CD

Despite the increased compatibility of Linux with applications that you are likely to want, many people do choose to install Linux in addition to their current operating system, as opposed to replacing it. If you don't feel up to dual-booting, there are versions of Linux that do not have to be installed on your hard drive. You can get a version on CD which can be run live while it is in the CD drive of your computer. You may intend to do this only temporarily, while deciding whether to turn Linux into your permanent primary operating system, or you may use it occasionally with Linux-compatible applications that you have acquired.

If you're apprehensive about using a new operating system, there are training options available. While there is no single, official website for Linux, there are a handful of sites which are universally regarded as having a mission thoroughly in line with that of GNU, and which offer online courses in Linux use. You can take the course any time you want, as quickly or as slowly as you want. You can return to any aspect of the tutorial at any time, as well. There are beginning courses about basic functionality and use, intermediate courses about getting more power out of your system, and advanced courses which will instruct you on how to use Linux system administration.