What is Linux?

Question

I hear this term used a lot in relation to computers. People always say it's a great thing, but what is it and why is it so great? Thanks!

Answer 1

Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance, the computer's processor. The processor performs the instructed task, then sends the results back to the application via the operating system.



Explained in these terms, Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS X.



But something sets Linux apart from these operating systems. The Linux operating system represented a $25 billion ecosystem in 2008. Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices.



As an open operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively, meaning no one company is solely responsible for its development or ongoing support. Companies participating in the Linux economy share research and development costs with their partners and competitors. This spreading of development burden amongst individuals and companies has resulted in a large and efficient ecosystem and unheralded software innovation.



Over 1,000 developers, from at least 100 different companies, contribute to every kernel release. In the past two years alone, over 3,200 developers from 200 companies have contributed to the kernel--which is just one small piece of a Linux distribution.



This article will explore the various components of the Linux operating system, how they are created and work together, the communities of Linux, and Linux's incredible impact on the IT ecosystem.

Answer 2

Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance, the computer's processor. The processor performs the instructed task, then sends the results back to the application via the operating system.



Explained in these terms, Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS X.



But something sets Linux apart from these operating systems. The Linux operating system represented a $25 billion ecosystem in 2008. Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices.



As an open operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively, meaning no one company is solely responsible for its development or ongoing support. Companies participating in the Linux economy share research and development costs with their partners and competitors. This spreading of development burden amongst individuals and companies has resulted in a large and efficient ecosystem and unheralded software innovation.



Over 1,000 developers, from at least 100 different companies, contribute to every kernel release. In the past two years alone, over 3,200 developers from 200 companies have contributed to the kernel--which is just one small piece of a Linux distribution.

Answer 3

Add to the above: Many 'versions' of Linux are 'point and click' and have similar looks to Windows (called the 'GUI' or 'graphic user interface'): and at the present time there are very few malicious packages that affect Linux, which means you spend less time babysitting and fretting & more time actually doing things.

And for some folks the most important feature: it's free! No more digging into the wallet every couple of years to buy a Windows or Apple OS.

It does lack the ability to run many of the popular/major games, but it's very robust for just about anything else in the digital realm.



If you want to try it, you certainly can, and do it without installing (called "live" version).

Have a look at this resource for how Ubuntu is done (many other versions are similar); what it looks like; what to expect, and links to other resources: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

Answer 4

Linux is a name of an operating system like windows or mac osx.

It was developed by a guy named Linus. Do a google wiki search on Linux and it should explain everything you need to know.

The best thing about Linux is that it's totally free and there's a large user base community that keeps track of the software for bug fixes and 3rd party application.



It's one of the largest operating system out in the world that powers everything from porn site to multi billion e-commerce site.



Combined with database software like mysql, we call this a LAMP architecture, Linux -> Apache -> Mysql -> PHP.

Linux as being the Operating System of choice, running Apache and/or Mysql in single server or multiple server with PHP as the programming language.



There are other freebie operating system like netBSD, FreeBSD, and ofcourse Solaris X86 but all of those are attached to some corporation or individuals that could turn the table on these operating system. While Linux is complete general public released for no profit.

Answer 5

What is Linux

Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance, the computer's processor. The processor performs the instructed task, then sends the results back to the application via the operating system.

Answer 6

HI Melanie...

- Linux is an open-source operating system modelled on UNIX.

- Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions. The operating system (OS) relays instructions from an application to, for instance, the computer's processor.



I Hope It Helps..!! :)

Answer 7

It's Best an Operating System

Answer 8

To add, Linux is open source so you can reprogram it and customize it in a lot of ways that you can't on Windows or Apple OS. Since it's free, it becomes a very attractive prospect for people and businesses who wil just install Linux and customize it to do whatever they want it to do instead of buying Windows that may not do *exactly* what they need it to do.



On the downside, Linux is less user-friendly than Windows and there are compatibility issues since it's not as popular as Windows.

Answer 9

All computers required some form of software to function. For PC's the available software is Microsoft Windows, Linux, or Unix. There are various flavors of Unix and Linux. Apple MAC's used to have their own brand of software before going the Intel chipset route. Not MAC OSX uses Linux.

Answer 10

Linux is, in simplest terms, an operating system. It is the software on a computer that enables applications and the computer operator to access the devices on the computer to perform desired functions.

Answer 11

Linux is a Unix-like and mostly POSIX-compliant computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open-source software development and distribution.

Answer 12

It is an operating system based on the Main Frame computers Operating System Unix.

Answer 13

Linux is an operation system similar to Windows.

Answer 14

Linux is a operating system. And you can use it on your Windows computer! Just run a virtual computer. Google some tutorials if your interested.

Answer 15

Linux is an operating system. Another example of an operating system is Windows.

Answer 16

Linux is a operating system

Answer 17

Linux OS, is a freely distributable, cross-platform operating system based on Unix that can be installed on PCs, laptops, netbooks, mobile and tablet devices, video game consoles, servers, supercomputers and more.

Answer 18

Linux is a operating system

Answer 19

It's an operating system. MSWindows is an operating system too.

Answer 20

Linux is an open source OS and is very good for programming and networking and runs the best terminal.

Answer 21

Linux is a terminal based operating system. Fun to use. I think its based off of a potato.

Answer 22

Linux is an operating system.

Answer 23

Linux is a opareting system

Answer 24

Linux is an installable operating system.

Microsoft has "windows" operating system

Apple has "OS X" operating system

Unix is another.

Answer 25

Hi

I wish people would get there facts correct

Linux is not a unix vairant!

I have checked with Linus Torvolds years ago.

http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/4091/is-linux-a-unix

Answer 26

This is a operating system for a desktop/laptop computer. It is basically a competitor to windows, and apples OS (operating system)

Answer 27

Computer operating system

Answer 28

its an Operating System

Answer 29

its an Operating System

Answer 30

Computer operating system

Answer 31

its an Operating System

Answer 32

its an Operating System

Answer 33

linux is an os ie.,operating system.

linux is well equipped with protecting against virus

Answer 34

Computer operating system

Answer 35

its a better operating system then windows its fast uses less ram and is safer i use zorin linux 9 and i love it

Answer 36

its an Operating System

Answer 37

Computer operating system

Answer 38

An open source os

Answer 39

An open source os

Answer 40

An open source os

Answer 41

its an Operating System

Answer 42

Computer operating system

Answer 43

Computer operating system

Answer 44

its an Operating System

Answer 45

its an Operating System

Answer 46

An open source os

Answer 47

its an Operating System

Answer 48

its an Operating System

Answer 49

Linux is a operating system

Answer 50

its an Operating System

Answer 51

Computer operating system

Answer 52

Computer operating system

Answer 53

Linux is actually, within easiest conditions, a good operating-system. It's the software program on the pc that allows programs and also the pc owner to get into the actual products on the pc to do preferred features. The actual operating-system (OS) relays directions through a credit card applicatoin in order to, for example, the actual pc's processor chip. The actual processor chip works the actual directed job, after that transmits the outcomes to the applying by way of the actual operating-system.

Answer 54

OS, like Windows but free to use

Answer 55

Linux is a operating system

Answer 56

Hi,



It's just a different way to run the hardware that is Your computer ... There are well over 300 different releases by people who continuously work on making them better, faster, and more capable ... and 99% of the versions are completely free to get.



The software / concept has been around for a LONG time, & many of the versions available are released about every 6 months with updates (mostly to support more / newer system hardware) that are also free. There are several popular opinions on where a newbie to Linux should start, but I personally (also) prefer Puppy Linux, as follows ...



Get a 16Gb USB flashdrive, and copies of the following free software ... 1) Lucid Puppy Linux from www.puppylinux.com (an ISO file You download about 165Megs) ... a copy of either (or both) "Universal USB Installer" or "YUMI Boot utility" from www.pendriveapps.com ...



Use the YUMI installer with the Puppy ISO onto the flashdrive, and reboot Your system from it. You don't have to install it at all, BUT remember that anything You do with it is done with a completely functional OS ... so DO NOT alter Your partitions, or perform any finctions You're not completely familiar with that may harm Your system.



If You can remove Your current harddrive before trying Puppy, it's the ABSOLUTE safest way to learn with it. But You'll see that it can also read DVD/CDs, play music and videos for entertainment, use and edit MS Office files, open pdf documents, write computer programs in many different programming languages, and use the internet with several different web browsers including Firefox and Chrome.



And BTW : Linux is NOT "virus-free" ... but the amount if viruses that affect Linux are about 1 for every 800 known to affect Windows ... & at last count I saw there were about 45,000 passing Windows viruses

still "out there" circulating on a daily basis.



If You find that You can't quite connect to the internet or use Your printer with the Lucid version of Puppy, You can dload a different version like Precise or Slacko Puppy for the same price of free, and the YUMI utility will let You install it onto the same flashdrive ... And the other benefit of Linux is that it gets fully customized to whatever syste it's running, so You can use the same flashdrive on any number of different systems ... no extra licenses, no extra installations, just pop in the flashdrive and boot from it.





G'Luck!!

Answer 57

Linux is an OS (Operating System)

Windows is an OS

MAC is an OS

Even Android for smartphones is an OS.



The difference is that linux is free and lack of some stuff such drivers (helps recognize hard-drives) for new hard-drives (printers, video cards, and parts of the computer) therefore, not so popular, but used in the most poor areas of some countries that can't afford a license for Windows. Many programs are not available for linux ether because most of the stuff is free and developers are not willing to work for free.

Answer 58

Linux is the greatest operating system in the world.

Answer 59

Strange. People think Windows is the only OS (a system that makes your computer work) available to get some work to be done. Wrong! Using Linux's Ubuntu flavor will enable you to do the same things (and much more) as Windows. Besides, it's more secure (no viruses), much, much faster to boot (10% of Windows' time), many more applications (games), ability to run Windows programs, etc. etc.

I always wonder why people still use Windows.

Answer 60

Computer operating system

Answer 61

Computer operating system

Answer 62

its an Operating System

Answer 63

Computer operating system

Answer 64

Linux (mint version) is as good or better than Wndows - It is free where Windows usually cost.



Or how about keeping both:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q42pylkQvPc

Answer 65

an open source operating system that doesn't support the virus.

Answer 66

Its a good operating system

Answer 67

An open source os

Answer 68

An open source os

Answer 69

It's an operating system, like Windows is an operating system.

Answer 70

An open source os

Answer 71

linux is a open source operating system...

Answer 72

An open source os

Answer 73

Linux Is a open source Operating system.





Thanks & regards,

Ghrix Team

Answer 74

linux is very good operating system

Answer 75

Linex is the best operating system all visitor use to operating

Answer 76

He is a peanuts character from the show Charlie Brown.

Answer 77

An open source os

Answer 78

an open-source operating system modelled on UNIX.

Answer 79

it is an operating sysytem like windows and mac. one of its advantage of no virus in it. and what any common user want??

Answer 80

That guy that was in the peanuts cartoons