GNU/Linux
The GNU/Linux operating system is free software created to replace the Unix operating system. The GNU project was started by ace programmer Richard Stallman and was the impetus behind the creation of the Free Software Foundation. Except for the small but essential kernel (called Linux after its creator Linus Torvalds), most of the operation system code was created by Stallman and other FSF contributors. There's a dispute over whether Stallman or Torvalds deserves more credit. The trade press refer to the overall system as "Linux", which annoys Stallman no end.
The Linux kernel that communicates with the hardware, supporting many other software components (such as the graphical user interface, file system and media players), but those who are unaware of or not concerned about the history of the project commonly used "Linux" to refer to the whole operating system. The Linux kernel was developed by Finnish grad student Linus Torvalds.
Linux distinguishes itself from other operating systems such as UNIX and Microsoft Windows in that the source code is distributed freely under various open source licenses. 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 viral licenses will be, in turn, licenses under these. The Linux kernel itself is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
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 Red Hat, SUSE, Debian and Ubuntu. There are literally hundreds of Linux distributions as can be seen on DistroWatch.com.
Numerous sources[1] [2], including Steve Balmer[3], one of the driving minds behind the success of Microsoft, have claimed that the Open Source movement is inherently Communist. Both Open Source and Communism shun the idea of personal property, instead favoring a communal ownership where no single entity has control or authority.
In 2005 Forbes.com posted an article estimating Linux ran 60% of the world's top supercomputers at that time. In 2003 the IBM Linux Technology Center concluded that Linux has enterprise class reliability. Linux servers can run without reboot for years as can usually be seen at the Longest uptimes URL on Netcraft.com. Another location to check on Linux uptime statistics is the Machine uptimes page at Linux Counter.
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, there is also a Ubuntu Christian Edition.[4]
It is likely that Linux is becoming one of the most commonly adopted operating systems in the world. However, this is difficult to quantify with hard evidence since most Linux distributions are given away for "free" and there are few sales records or marketing numbers to review. While personal computers in the United States and other "first world nations" 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 Conservapedia web site was running the Linux operating system[5]
Linux Pre-Installed
From its inception, and with exception of the server market, it was difficult to find new computers available with Linux pre-installed. Users typically have to download the Linux distribution of their choice and install it on a computer themselves, slowing the increase in computers using a desktop version of Linux, as many home computer users find installing an operating system a difficult task. This situation drastically changed in 2007 when Dell started selling laptop and desktop computers to the general public with Linux pre-installed[6].
During 2008, a new type of low cost laptop computer, the "netbook" was introduced by most of the major manufacturers. To keep costs down, Linux was offered on most of the lines as an alternative to Windows XP (Windows Vista being unable to run on the low powered computers), bringing Linux into the mainstream for the first time.
References
- ↑ Intellectual Property - Left?
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ MS' Ballmer: Linux is communism
- ↑ Ubuntu Christian Edition
- ↑ NetCraft site report for Conservapedia.com
- ↑ Dell and Linux
