Linux Operating System

Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki released the first version of Linux, 0.02, in 1991 (Linux Online). By 1994, he had release version 1.0 to the public, allowing everyone to have the ability to work on it and develop their own operating system based on his initial creation. Linux is an operating system based on the Linux kernel, improving the UNIX system (Linux Online). Being open source code, anyone is able to use the primary source code to create and edit Linux Operating Systems. These systems are referred to as Linux distributions, and come with a complete system based upon the Linux Kernel (Maximum).

Of the many Linux distributions, two of the more popular include Ubuntu and Fedora. Ubuntu is the most popular of the Linux desktop operating systems, having more than 50% of the Linux share (State Owl). You are provided with more than just the operating system, with Install a Fresh Copy of Ubuntu without Losing your Current Program Settings

Ubuntu including a large number of applications (Ubuntu). You are able to find the support that you need, and can modify or improve any aspect of the system that you desire without needing a license (Ubuntu). The most beneficial aspect of Ubuntu is its user-friendly design, which is lauded by a large number of Ubuntu users (TuxRadar). The second common distribution behind Ubuntu is Fedora. Fedora is known for its performance and capabilities, matching and exceeding the Windows 7 release in a number of different areas (TuxRadar). It is able to provide you with the latest software, being compatible with a large amount of the latest software (Fedora).

There are two primary forms of Linux distributions, those developed by a corporation or those by a Linux community. The distributions developed by a corporation can be found at those project site, (see the Ubuntu Project and Fedora Project as examples). Other distributions are going to be found in different Linux communities, developed non-commercially. A number of Depending upon the level of expertise of the user, the user can install a distribution in a package, a collection of the Linux Kernel, operating system and other applications, or build a system from scratch (Wikipedia). A list of available packages and systems can be found on a number of Linux sites (see http://www.linux.org/apps/all/System/Compression/Package.html as an example).

The Linux community has added a number of open source applications to improve the capabilities of the Linux platform. One popular replacement for the Microsoft Office Suite is the OpenOffice Suite. The OpenOffice suite is an open-source software suite performing word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases and more (OpenOffice). It is compatible with much other office software, using the international open standard format (OpenOffice). Another common application used in Linux is GIMP, an image authoring and editing alternative to the popular Adobe Photoshop. It allows you to use the most common graphic editing file formats used in other applications including JPEG, GIF, PNG and TIFF (GIMP). GIMP’s primary features include a customizable interface, photo enhancement, and digital retouching (GIMP).

The debate between Linux and Windows has been quite fierce amongst those who care about the issue. Linux has historically outperformed Windows in almost every category except market share. The primary reason for this, beyond Microsoft’s excellent marketing, is usability (MaximumPC). Windows comes ready to go on a laptop or desktop without any need of using or understanding code. The casual computer user considers Linux the operating system of programmers, not without some cause. Programmers do enjoy Linux, not just because it is more complex, but because they can modify the system to operate in a way that works best for them. Unlike Windows, which has little editing capability, you can modify Linux to accomplish almost anything you desire (TuxRadar).

Bibliogaphy

Fedora Project, Overview, 2010, http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Overview

GIMP, Feature Overview, 2009, http://www.gimp.org/features/

Linux Online, What is Linux, 1993, http://www.linux.org/info/

Maximum PC, Mortal OS Kombat: Linux versus Windows 7, 2009, http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/0003_mortal_os_kombat_linux_versus_windows_7

OpenOffice, Why OpenOffice.org, 2010, http://why.openoffice.org/

Stat Owl, Operating System Version Usage, 2010, http://statowl.com/operating_system_market_share_by_os_version.php?1=1&timeframe=last_6&interval=month&chart_id=4&fltr_br=&fltr_os=&fltr_se=&fltr_cn=&limit[]=linux

TuxRadar, Linux vs Windows 7, 2009, http://www.tuxradar.com/content/linux-vs-windows-7

Ubuntu, The Ubuntu Project, 2010, http://www.ubuntu.com/project

Wikipedia, Linux Distribution, 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution