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Line 1: − + − The [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL''). + − Originally the term "Linux" was used to refer to just the [[kernel]] developed by Torvalds, but today it is used interchangeably to refer to both the kernel and a complete operating system which includes the kernel, graphical user interface, file system and other software, collectively known as a ''distribution''. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu].+
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[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
[[Image:Tuxie.jpg|thumb|right|"Tux", the Linux mascot|90px]]
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like operating system. It incorporates the Linux "[[kernel]]" developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]].
'''Linux''' is a [[UNIX]]-like computer operating system. Strictly speaking, Linux is the component of the GNU/Linux operating system, the "[[kernel]]" that communicates with the hardware, upon which many other software components sit (such as the graphical user interface, file system and media players), but the term "Linux" is now commonly used to refer to the whole operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Finnish grad student [[Linus Torvalds]]. Linux and the other components of GNU/Linux are built upon the foundations set up by the GNU project, started in 1984.
Linux distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as UNIX and [[Microsoft]] Windows in that the [[source code]] is distributed freely under the [[open source]] ''[[General Public License]]'' (''GPL''). In essence, this means that anybody can modify the code to their needs, and that the development of Linux happens in an open community, rather than in a closed commercial environment. Any improvements to the code will be contributed to the community, and any software that is based upon GPL components inherits the GPL licence.
Linux is also different to the closed source operating system vendors in that the software is distributed by many different companies. Major Linux distributions include [http://www.redhat.com/ Red Hat], [http://www.novell.com/linux/ Suse] and [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Ubuntu].
Linux is a unix style operating system. It is known to run 6 or more of the world's top supercomputers.{{fact}} It has legendary reliability.{{who says}} Linux servers can run without reboot for years.{{fact}} It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrow from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely freebsd, openBSD, netBSD, and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. NetBSD is famous for running on almost any hardware{{fact}}, OpenBSD is perhaps the most secure operating system in the world{{fact}}, and freeBSD has been powering computers for free since before Linux became popular{{fact}}. Opensolaris is a free version of SUN microsystems proprietary Solaris OS.
Linux is a unix style operating system. It is known to run 6 or more of the world's top supercomputers.{{fact}} It has legendary reliability.{{who says}} Linux servers can run without reboot for years.{{fact}} It is worth mentioning that there are other free operating systems not based on the Linux kernel that Linux borrow from and has been a source of inspiration to: namely freebsd, openBSD, netBSD, and dragonflyBSD, and the more recent Minix 3 and openSolaris. Free operating systems allow a great deal of new ideas to be tried and collaboration made possible by the Internet makes teams easy to form. NetBSD is famous for running on almost any hardware{{fact}}, OpenBSD is perhaps the most secure operating system in the world{{fact}}, and freeBSD has been powering computers for free since before Linux became popular{{fact}}. Opensolaris is a free version of SUN microsystems proprietary Solaris OS.