Difference between revisions of "GNU/Linux"
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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]. | 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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Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, a group of [[Satanism|Satanists]]{{fact}} have released Ubuntu Satanic Edition <ref>[http://parker1.co.uk/satanic/ Ubuntu Satanic Edition]</ref>, which is based on the Kubuntu <ref>[http://www.kubuntu.org/]</ref> distribution, using a "Satanic" theme. The software is otherwise unchanged. There is also a Ubuntu Christian Edition <ref> [http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition] </ref>, demonstrating how GPL licensed software which may be modified with seemingly opposite goals. | Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, a group of [[Satanism|Satanists]]{{fact}} have released Ubuntu Satanic Edition <ref>[http://parker1.co.uk/satanic/ Ubuntu Satanic Edition]</ref>, which is based on the Kubuntu <ref>[http://www.kubuntu.org/]</ref> distribution, using a "Satanic" theme. The software is otherwise unchanged. There is also a Ubuntu Christian Edition <ref> [http://www.whatwouldjesusdownload.com/christianubuntu/2006/07/about-ubuntu-christian-edition.html Ubuntu Christian Edition] </ref>, demonstrating how GPL licensed software which may be modified with seemingly opposite goals. | ||
Revision as of 17:38, April 15, 2007
Linux is a UNIX-like operating system whose source code is distributed freely under the open source GNU General Public License (GPL). It was started in 1991 as a university project by Finnish student Linus Torvalds as a replacement for the Minix operating system.
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 Red Hat, Suse and Ubuntu.
Owing to the nature of open source software, many variants of a Linux distribution may be created by using the original code and making changes to it to suit a particular need. For example, a group of Satanists[Citation Needed] have released Ubuntu Satanic Edition [1], which is based on the Kubuntu [2] distribution, using a "Satanic" theme. The software is otherwise unchanged. There is also a Ubuntu Christian Edition [3], demonstrating how GPL licensed software which may be modified with seemingly opposite goals.
Mark Shuttleworth, who is the founder of the Ubuntu Linux distribution, said about the Satanic version of Kubuntu: "Ubuntu is a broad church! We manage to keep both GNOME and KDE folks happy and collaborating constructively, so this should be no trouble at all. Our guiding rules are enshrined in the Ubuntu Code of Conduct[4], and as long as all sides are following that, there’s no problem with derivatives that are focused on such diverse user bases."[5]
Linux has become one the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world[Citation Needed], running on more varieties of computer hardware than any other operating system[Citation Needed]. While personal computers still overwhelmingly use Microsoft operating systems such as Windows XP, Linux is a common choice for web servers, file servers and embedded platforms, thanks to its perceived reliability, low/no cost, and the fact that modifications to the source code can readily be made by anyone.
As an example, in March of 2007 the server hosting the the Consevapedia web site was running the Linux operating system[3]