Linux

If you are new to the world of Linux this will article will make you clearly understand as to what Linux is and how it works. Hopefully this article clears out all your doubts and all your queries. We have taken the most asked questions on the World Wide Web related to Linux and have tried our best to answer them. We are trying to make this article as informative about Linux as possible.

What is Linux?
Linux is term used for UNIX based computer operating systems. There are many types of Linux based operating systems. Some of the popular kinds are Mandriva, Red Hat, SuSe, Ubuntu, Linux mint and Fedora.

What is the need for Linux or why Linux?
There are many reasons as to why people should switch to Linux.
•    Firstly, because Linux is a free operating system
•    Secondly, Linux is free and open source software, so it can be easily modified for personal use.

Tux, the official mascot of Linux.

How can Linux be modified?
Linux is based on the Linux kernel. A kernel is the entire programming layer between the software and the hardware. If there is an access to the kernel, it could be modified.

What makes it different from other operating systems like OS X and Windows?
Linux kernel is distributed free of cost and is available for free download online. So any person can install Linux and modify it according to his or her personal preferences. Windows and OS X, owned by Microsoft and Apple respectively, can not be modified according to preferences. Plus they come for a price, Linux comes for free.

Can I install Linux on my laptop?
Yes you can. With the power of Linux, you can install Linux on every imaginable electronic device, you just need to have the access to its Linux kernel and edit the source code accordingly.  Linux was earlier used in servers, but nowadays people all over the world use Linux in their workstations, desktops, laptops, palmtops, mobile phones etc.

How is the word “Linux” pronounced?
This is probably the toughest question that can be answered. Pronounciation varies from person to person. You might call Vitamins as “Y-ta-mins” (the American pronounciation) and somebody else say it as “we-ta-mins”. Likewise, Linux can be pronounced in several ways. The most common of them are, “line-ucks” or “Lie-nekcs” and “lean-ecks”. The creater of Linux, Mr. Linus Torvalds however pronounces Linux as, “lee-nooks”. Well you can choose to pronounce the word Linux anywhichway, it does not really matter. With Linux you can even personalize the pronounciation.

Who started Linux?
Mr. Linus Torvalds wrote the Linux kernel in the year 1991 so you can say that had started the Linux revolution. He had actually though of naming Linux as “freaX” because of it being “free” and “unix” based. But then one of his friends named it Linux.

The new to be launched mascot of Linux. It is called Tuz as its based on the almost extinct Tazmanian Devil.

What all does Linux operating system comprise of?
Apart from the Linux kernel which can be modified, Linux includes other components like the X Window System, Apache HTTP Server, the K Desktop Environment and libraries from GNU operating systems. Linux includes OpenOffice.org and Mozilla Firefox we-browser.

What is GNU? Is it another operating system?
Yes GNU is another operating system which is based on the Linux kernel. Since the GNU’s kernel is still not complete it is combined along with the Linux kernel and used. Some people still call this Linux and some choose to refer this as GNU/Linux. GNU operating system are used by over 80 million users all over the world.

Who started GNU?
The project was started by Richard Stallman in the year 1984. His aim behind GNU was to have an operating system which has a collection entirely of free software. Richard Stallman also created the Free Software Foundation in 1989.

GNU / Linux project

Why should one opt for Linux and not any other operating system?
There are endless reasons as to why one should switch to Linux.
•    Can be customized according to your personal needs
•    Is faster than Windows operating system and OS X
•    Has communities that make the Linux better every minute
•    Promotes the use of free software, why should you pay when you can get the same thing for free?
•    With Linux one can do anything that can be done in any operating system and with Linux you can do much more.

If you are new to the world of Linux this will article will make you clearly understand as to what Linux is and how it works. Hopefully this article clears out all your doubts and all your queries. We have taken the most asked questions on the World Wide Web related to Linux and have tried our best to answer them. We are trying to make this article as informative about Linux as possible.

What is Linux?

Linux is term used for UNIX based computer operating systems. There are many types of Linux based operating systems. Some of the popular kinds are Mandriva, Red Hat, SuSe, Ubuntu, Linux mint and Fedora.

What is the need for Linux or why Linux?

There are many reasons as to why people should switch to Linux.

· Firstly, because Linux is a free operating system

· Secondly, Linux is free and open source software, so it can be easily modified for personal use.

How can Linux be modified?

Linux is based on the Linux kernel. A kernel is the entire programming layer between the software and the hardware. If there is an access to the kernel, it could be modified.

What makes it different from other operating systems like OS X and Windows?

Linux kernel is distributed free of cost and is available for free download online. So any person can install Linux and modify it according to his or her personal preferences. Windows and OS X, owned by Microsoft and Apple respectively, can not be modified according to preferences. Plus they come for a price, Linux comes for free.

Can I install Linux on my laptop?

Yes you can. With the power of Linux, you can install Linux on every imaginable electronic device, you just need to have the access to its Linux kernel and edit the source code accordingly. Linux was earlier used in servers, but nowadays people all over the world use Linux in their workstations, desktops, laptops, palmtops, mobile phones etc.

How is the word “Linux” pronounced?

This is probably the toughest question that can be answered. Pronounciation varies from person to person. You might call Vitamins as “Y-ta-mins” (the American pronounciation) and somebody else say it as “we-ta-mins”. Likewise, Linux can be pronounced in several ways. The most common of them are, “line-ucks” or “Lie-nekcs” and “lean-ecks”. The creater of Linux, Mr. Linus Torvalds however pronounces Linux as, “lee-nooks”. Well you can choose to pronounce the word Linux anywhichway, it does not really matter. With Linux you can even personalize the pronounciation.

Who started Linux?

Mr. Linus Torvalds wrote the Linux kernel in the year 1991 so you can say that had started the Linux revolution. He had actually though of naming Linux as “freaX” because of it being “free” and “unix” based. But then one of his friends named it Linux.

What all does Linux operating system comprise of?

Apart from the Linux kernel which can be modified, Linux includes other components like the X Window System, Apache HTTP Server, the K Desktop Environment and libraries from GNU operating systems. Linux includes OpenOffice.org and Mozilla Firefox we-browser.

What is GNU? Is it another operating system?

Yes GNU is another operating system which is based on the Linux kernel. Since the GNU’s kernel is still not complete it is combined along with the Linux kernel and used. Some people still call this Linux and some choose to refer this as GNU/Linux. GNU operating system are used by over 80 million users all over the world.

Who started GNU?

The project was started by Richard Stallman in the year 1984. His aim behind GNU was to have an operating system which has a collection entirely of free software. Richard Stallman also created the Free Software Foundation in 1989.

Why should one opt for Linux and not any other operating system?

There are endless reasons as to why one should switch to Linux.

· Can be customized according to your personal needs

· Is faster than Windows operating system and OS X

· Has communities that make the Linux better every minute

· Promotes the use of free software, why should you pay when you can get the same thing for free?

· With Linux one can do anything that can be done in any operating system and with Linux you can do much more.