What exactly is Linux?

Question

I just wondered, and when exactly would i need to use it?

Answer 1

You asked the question here is the true answers

Linux is the most secure and up to date operating system there is, It is the most powerful operating system going.



People have this misconception that Linux is not widely used, how wrong they are about that fact, they need to be educated to the fact that Linux is used and developed by the biggest names in Information technology and Industry like,

Processor Manufacturers AMD, IBM, Intel.

Linux runs all the big Internet servers, it is used by Yahoo, Google.

The Fastest Computer in the world built by IBM is run on Linux

NASA Space control use it to control space flights, it is now on Mars controlling the buggy exploring Mars, and sending photos of the universe, stars and Mars back to earth for you to see. Universities world wide use and develop



Microsoft and Mac OS/x operating systems are not used or supported by big industries like the above industries Consumers (the general public) are just beginning to hear about Linux that is why they don't know about the power of Linux and they are afraid to learn anything new,

Answer 2

Linux systems are named after the Linux kernel which was written by the original creator of the system, Linus Trovalds. It is open source software which means anyone can freely access, use and modify it under a General Public License at no cost. Linux is the most popular among such operating systems and has been embraced by institutions, governments, companies and individuals for being cost effective as well as for allowing users to adapt the software to their specific requirements.

Answer 3

Linux is an alternative operating system, and you can use linux for pretty much everything u use Mac OS X or Windows for. There are different programs for each operating-system, though there are many cross-platform-programs released (such as FireFox or something like that)



You may need different Linux-Distributions for doing things like network-penetration or security-testing..

Linux can be strongly modified and configured. So u can install Linux on very old machines as well, or on (home)servers.. it even can be runned from a optical medium or a usb-drive

Answer 4

Linux is simply another Operating System. Just like Windows XP or Vista is. It is made by another company. Linux is the GUI (Graphical User Interface) and UNIX is the command line form. Some people like Linux/Unix more than Windows. You just need another comuter and the installation discs for Linux. Linux is 100% free and downloadable from the internet beacuase it is open-source (anyone can change code of it.)

Answer 5

Taken From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux



The primary difference between Linux and many other popular contemporary operating systems is that the Linux kernel and other components are free and open source software. Linux is not the only such operating system, although it is by far the most widely used. Some free and open source software licenses are based on the principle of copyleft, a kind of reciprocity: any work derived from a copyleft piece of software must also be copyleft itself. The most common free software license, the GNU GPL, is a form of copyleft, and is used for the Linux kernel and many of the components from the GNU project.



Linux based distributions are intended by developers for interoperability with other operating systems and established computing standards. Linux systems adhere to POSIX,[29] SUS,[30] ISO and ANSI standards where possible, although to date only one Linux distribution has been POSIX.1 certified, Linux-FT.[31]



Free software projects, although developed in a collaborative fashion, are often produced independently of each other. The fact that the software licenses explicitly permit redistribution, however, provides a basis for larger scale projects that collect the software produced by stand-alone projects and make it available all at once in the form of a Linux distribution.



A Linux distribution, commonly called a “distro”, is a project that manages a remote collection of system software and application software packages available for download and installation through a network connection. This allows the user to adapt the operating system to his/her specific needs. Distributions are maintained by individuals, loose-knit teams, volunteer organizations, and commercial entities. A distribution can be installed using a CD that contains distribution-specific software for initial system installation and configuration. A package manager such as Synaptic allows later package upgrades and installs. A distribution is responsible for the default configuration of the installed Linux kernel, general system security, and more generally integration of the different software packages into a coherent whole.



Take a look at Linux Mint 5 (Main Edition) its easy to install easy to use and has much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled.



Linux Mint 5 Release notes

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_elyssa.php



Linux Mint 5 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=25



Linux Mint 5 installation tutorial

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-5-elyssa-r1



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 5 then you need to create a Bootable CD from the ISO. This can easily be done using Nero Burning ROM or similar software. Linux Mint 5 can also be run straight from the LiveCD you have created without touching your Hard Drive.





LUg.

Answer 6

Linux is the free alternative to Windows.



To use it, you could download any distro, (suse is best for beginners), make some space on your primary drive and install.



I found that most people who have used Linux enough get really annoyed with windows.



Before Linux used to be difficult to use and it lacked some functionality, but these days its just as easy to use as windows and has most of the functionality. It is also faster and more stable. To top that off it is A LOT better at handling security and you don't need as powerful a PC as you do with windows.



Linux is cool.

Answer 7

An operating system.



Mac OSX, Vista and Windows XP are examples of operating systems.



It runs on the same hardware as a Windows or modern Apple machine, and it may be used to accomplish for example more scientific tasks such as complex statistics or distributed computing. It is often used in a very cut down version as a means of providing network systems such as routers and firewalls due to it's extreme flexibility.



It is also less prone to computer viruses, though not immune.



MacOSX is based on a variation of UNIX, much like Linux is.

Answer 8

It's another operating system, like Windows XP or Vista, or Mac OS X, but not as widely used.



Linux is predominantly known for its use in servers, although it is installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from embedded devices and mobile phones to supercomputers. The popularity of Linux distributions as desktop and laptop operating system has been growing lately due to the rise of netbooks and the Ubuntu distribution of the operating system.

Answer 9

Microsoft is a competitor to Linux Operating system in the means of Operating Systems Application and not in Pricing.

Answer 10

Linux is an operating system that is based on the Unix OS. It is a replacement for the entire Windows programs (or the MAC OS on an Apple PC). It is used by some companies who want to avoid the expense of buying Windows for hundreds of computers (as Linux is a free program). Beyond that, you will not find it used by much of anyone else.

Answer 11

Its an operating system, just like windows or mac os x, or dos.

It is based on the Unix system, and is for use generally with PC's.

There are versions of it even available for PS3.



It is open source, totally free and open for improvements and exploitation in other people's personal projects, so many varieties exist for specific applications.



Often, it is useful for dedicated networking functions, but can be very powerful across a lot of professional applications.



Servers operating, maybe large databases, would tend to use it for its stability and dedication to this kind of task.



I used to work for the NHS in prescription data entry, we used really old machines running Unix for this simple, mundane, but network and database query demanding task.

Answer 12

Linux is an operating system. Similar to Windows and Mac. It's 100% free, based off of one of the most stable operating systems out there (unix), and can be completly re-written to suit the needs of the user.



Why would you need it? If you're happy with windows, stick with that. Linux is great on older machines, where windows wouldn't be ideal, and it's also great for machines for the children/elderly, as it can be programmed to be very very simple.

Answer 13

Well

you can find a free download of USB Disk Security here http://bitly.com/1p33bQ8

I guess it's the sotware you need.

Answer 14

linux is just another operating system like windows or apple's os x and you'll probably never need to use or want to use it