|
Linux is a free UNIX
clone written from scratch by Linus Torvalds and a team of
programmers over the Internet. Linux aims towards POSIX
compliance (a set of standards that show what a UNIX should
be).
It contains all of the
features that you would expect in not only a UNIX, but any
Operating System. Some of the features included are true
multitasking, virtual memory, the world's fastest TCP/IP
drivers, shared libraries, and of course multi-user
capabilities (this means 100s of people can use the one
computer at the same time, either over a network, the
Internet, or on laptops/computers or terminals connected to
the serial ports of those computers). Linux runs fully in
protected mode (unlike Windows) and supports fully fledged
32-bit and 64-bit multitasking.
Linux also has a completely
free X Windows implementation comforming to the X/Open
standard. Most existing X Based programs will run under Linux
without any modification. X Windows for the uninitiated is a
GUI, similar to Microsoft Windows but is feature packed (and
is rather large, consuming around 15-20MB). Most Linux
distributions come completely pre configured to a factory
configuration, and many distributions also have graphical
based configuration utilities and installers (not unlike
Windows' Control Panel).
In addition, programs
intended for SCO Unix 4.2 and SVR4 will run on most Linux
systems unaltered (this is due to the assistance of a driver
called IBCS), for example Corel Draw! for SCO and the Dataflex
database system. The Linux DOS emulator, DOSEMU will runs
packets of MS-DOS applications, including some that require
VGA or SVGA graphics capabilities. Windows programs can also
be run inside of X-Windows with the help of an emulator called
WINE. Usually, Windows programs can run up to 10 times faster
than on a native system, due to Linux's buffering
capabilities.
As usually expected from most
Unices, Linux includes advanced networking capabilities. Since
the people developing Linux collabrated and used the Internet
for their development efforts, networking support came early
in Linux's development stage. Networking support in Linux is
superior to most other Operating Systems. Linux supports
connection to the Internet or any other network using TCP/IP
or IPX via ethernet, fast ethernet, ATM (in Alpha
development), modem, HAM/packet radio (X.25 protocol), ISDN,
token ring, or PLIP (modified printer cable to another
computer). As an Internet/WWW server, Linux is a very good
choice, often out performing Windows NT, Novell and most UNIX
systems on the same hardware (even multiprocessor boxen).
Linux has been chosen by hundreds of thousands of ISPs, by
many University computer labs, and suprisingly many
businesses. All people that need reliable server and network
performance in many different situations.
Linux supports all of the
most common Internet protocols, including Electronic Mail,
UseNet News, Gopher, Telnet, Web, FTP, Talk, POP, NTP, IRC,
NFS, DNS, NIS, SNMP, Kerberos, WAIS and many more. Linux can
operate as a client or as a server for all of the above and
has already been widely used and tested in the above roles.
Linux also fits easily and
tightly into your Local Area Network, no matter what
combination of systems you might be running. Full and seamless
support for Macintosh, DOS, Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95,
Novell, OS/2, all using their own native protocols. Linux can
do all of this in just 16MB of memory or even less (with
swapspace). Typically, you could have all the above running in
8MB with 16MB swap (a total of 24MB RAM).
Linux is developing at a
blindingly fast speed, and ports exist to PowerPC, Macintosh,
Amiga's and some Atari's. If Linus Torvalds ever does decide
to abandon the project, since we have the full source code
available, he can just assign somebody else to take his place.
So yes, despite what some people are saying, the Linux kernel
development will still continue no matter what happens to
Linus. Somebody else will just continue with it.
The Linux Kernel is Copyright
© Linus B. Torvalds and is Copyrighted under the terms of the
General Public License, or GPL. The GPL states that the source
code must be freely distributed and that everybody is allowed
to make copies for their own use, or to sell or give to other
people (with a few restrictions).
The Linux system
is a free computer operating system that is estimated to be
run by one to two milllion machines around the world and on
thousands of sites on the internet.. By these standards it is
easy to see that Linux, the system created by Linus Torvalds,
has displayed its power and international fame.
Linux is a computer operating system that mirrors Unix. It is
run on low-powered personal computers, Power Macintosh and
Digital Equipment Corporation's high-end Alpha systems. Linux
is like all other operating systems in that in ensures that
the machines and all the different hardware is compatible. For
example, Linux makes it possible for word processors and
spreadsheets work together.
First, I will explain how Linux came to be. Torvalds needed an
inexpensive operating system for his new computer but those
available were too expensive for a college student. He began
to play around and ended up with a kernel. A kernel is the
first heart of the operating system. It is used to take care
of basic low-level functions. After Torvalds discovered that
his playing around had created the beginning of a system he
began add other functions and procedures. He then added
funtions that sit on the kernel. This enables the system to
actually function. And finally, Torvalds added the third
component, the GUI, the graphical user interface. Eventually
all of the steps and components of his system were put
together and he was able to name his system....Linux.
Next, I will discuss how this unintentionally-created system
became popular as it is today. Linux is different from most
operating systems because it is very, very,very inexpensive.
Free.
Linux has really become popular. All sorts of computer
companies began to use it instead of Microsoft and Unix.
Companies like, IBM, Caldera and countless internet companies
have switched to the Linux system. There are many reasons for
these companies to switch, but I believe the main one is
because it is free and and can be modified to the individual
companys' needs.
Another reason that Linux is so popular is because everyone
and anyone can work and improve on a piece of the kernel. This
gives people a sense of inclusion and confidence in the system
that that they are using. I think that as long as such a large
amount of people working and improving the system it is going
to continue to be used and could surpass Microsoft as the most
used computer operating system today.
Man
behind the Machine
Linus Torvalds lived a fairly normal life until about seven
years ago. At the age of twenty-one he had become the founder,
creator and cheif architect of one of the most powerful
computer operating systems, Linux.
He was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland and at the age of
18 began at the University of Helsinki. This is where is his
normal life took a technological twist. From the begining he
had an interest in computers. He tried to buy an operating
system but unfortunately both Microsoft and Unix were too
expensive for a meager college students' income. He couldn't
find anything less than $5,000 for a basic operating system.
At the time these were his only options unless he wanted to
write a system himself. Torvalds was angry and mad that to
price of operating systems made it impossible for regular
people to access the systems. He decided to take it upon
himself to write a system more powerful and cheaper than
MSDOS. In fact, his system wouldn't cost anything and would be
made accessible via the internet.
In the spring of 1991, he began writing some software codes to
handle specific chores and commands on an Intel 386
wordprocessor used at school. As the operating system
progressed he gave it the name Linux. He named it Linux,
because it is a mix of his name and Unix, another operating
system upon which Linux is based.
Linus worked hard to make the system fast and effecient. Soon
after he put it on the web there were hundreds then thousands
of people accessing it and adding to make it better. "The
first thing I got was a lot of comments," said Linus
regarding all the help that he recieves from users. "Then
it got better and better." This system is the largest and
strongest competitor of Microsoft. Torvalds has created an
operating system with the potential to knock down the
Microsoft empire but he is very modest and admits that he made
the system, "because it is fun and it's very
interesting." In the years to follow the Linux system has
released numerous versions, 0.01, 0.11, 1.0 and 2.0.
Many people would compare Torvalds to Bill Gates because of
his technological advances, but the truth of the matter is
that Torvalds isn't even close to being rich. He uses his
knowledge and computer skills to help the average man. As I
said before the system is free to use and modify it has what
is called a "copyleft." This type of patent enables
the user to change and mold the system and redistribute
without penalty however, you also must include the source
code.
Torvalds is currently employed with the university but spends
the majority of his time working on the system and traveling
around to speak about Linux. He has been offered jobs at
several companies but he choses to stay where is at the
university and working on the fastest growing computer
operating system, did I mention free?!
| Icon |
Name |
 |
Debian
GNU / Linux
|
 |
Red
Hat Linux
|
 |
Slackware
Linux |
 |
Corel
Linux OS |
 |
ESware
Linux |
 |
Linux
Mandrake
|
 |
SuSe
Linux |
 |
Caldera
Open Linux |
 |
MK
- Linux |
 |
Hispa
Fuentes Linux |
 |
Red
Hat Eurielec |
 |
ZipHam |
 |
Linux
PPP |
|
|
