History Of Linux Operating System

The history of Linux is a modest manifesto for freedom of information and the solidarity of computer programmers worldwide. In 1984, a group called GNU formed, committed to creating a free source UNIX style operating system. Their primary sponsor was the Free Software Foundation (FSF), which relies almost entirely on donations from individuals who share the belief that freedom to use, copy, and modify software is only one of the essential freedoms which must be protected and promoted in the world today.

FSF and GNU felt that the technology monopolies and major software designers were restricting access to information, and that free source applications and software are a way to make sure that individuals can protect their privacy and freedom of information. Furthermore, they believe that the quality of any product increases and everyone benefits if anyone who uses it has the ability to make changes to improve it. This is in distinct opposition to what happens when the ability to modify a product is restricted to a manufacturer who may not have an interest in creating a flawless and definitive version of that product.

The Genesis of Linux

Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, was working completely independently of GNU and the FSF when he began developing his own operating system. He had been using Minix (a small UNIX system), and thought that it was a great idea but that it could be significantly improved. He was doing this work only for his own purposes, and he had no overwhelming expectations when he released a version called Linux 0.02 in 1991. This project got the attention of GNU, and they provided the resources needed to improve Linux rapidly and radically. In 1994 they released version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel.

The Linux Kernel is not an operating system with the full functionality most individuals or businesses require. If you purchase the Linux Kernel, however, you have the core of a versatile operating system, and the code with which to begin building an operating system which meets your needs. The evolution of Linux operating systems after 1994 breaks off in many different directions, as individuals and companies developed versions (or "distributions") of Linux operating systems. Some of these are available free of charge, and others are expensive programs intended as server platforms for multinational corporations. You can acquire one of these distributions as-is, or use the freely available code to modify it further to suit your own needs, thus becoming a part of the history of Linux yourself.