HOW LINUX WAS MADE
Linus Torvalds started making Linux as a hobby in 1991. At first, Linux was only the kernel, which is the main part of an operating system that controls the hardware and the programs. By the beginning of the 90s home PCs were finally powerful enough to run a full blown UNIX. Linus Torvalds, a young man studying computer science at the university of Helsinki, thought it would be a good idea to have some sort of freely available academic version of UNIX, and promptly started to code.
He started to ask questions, looking for answers and solutions that would help him get UNIX on his PC. From the start, it was Linus’ goal to have a free system that was completely compliant with the original UNIX. That is why he asked for POSIX standards, POSIX still being the standard for UNIX.
In those days plug-and-play wasn’t invented yet, but so many people were interested in having a UNIX system of their own, that this was only a small obstacle.
New drivers became available for all kinds of new hardware, at a continuously rising speed. Almost as soon as a new piece of hardware became available, someone bought it and submitted it to the Linux test, as the system was gradually being called, releasing more free code for an ever wider range of hardware. These coders didn’t stop at their PC’s; every piece of hardware they could find was useful for Linux.
Back then, those people were called “nerds” or “freaks”, but it didn’t matter to them, as long as the supported hardware list grew longer and longer. Thanks to these people, Linux is now not only ideal to run on new PC’s. but is also the svstem of choice for old and exotic hardware that would be useless if Linux didn’t exist. Two years after Linus’ post, there were 12000 Linux users. The project, popular with hobbyists, grew steadily, all the while staying within the bounds of the POSIX.
WHAT MAKES LINUX SPESIAL
Linux has some features that differentiate from other operating systems. Anyone can see and change the code of Linux. This feature makes Linux very adaptable and customizable. Linux has a good development process that involves many people. Linux also has a big and active user community, so if there are any issues, they can usually be fixed quickly. Linux can be used for many kinds of devices and purposes. Linux can also be set up to suit the preferences of different users. Linux has strong security features to protect the system from viruses and hackers. Linux can work well on many kinds of devices.
WHY NOT USE LINUX?
Linux also has some lacks, such as:
- More difficult installation and configuration.
- More limited software support
- Less intuitive user interface
LINUX VERSIONS
Linux comes in different forms, called Linux distributions. Linux distributions usually include the Linux kernel, software packages, and administration tools.
Some popular Linux distributions include:
- Ubuntu: Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution for desktop use. It has an intuitional user interface that is easy to use.
- Debian: Debian is a popular Linux distribution for server use. It has a reputation for being a stable and reliable operating system.
- Fedora: Fedora is a popular Linux distribution for desktop and server use. It is always updated with the latest software.
- Arch Linux: Arch Linux is a popular Linux distribution for users who want to have full control over their system. It has a more complex installation process, but it can be customized to meet the needs of specific users.
- Kali Linux: Kali Linux is a popular Linux distribution for computer security. It includes a variety of security tools that can be used to analyze networks and systems.
REFERENCES
The Linux Documentation Project: https://www.tldp.org/
