What is Linux?

Linux is a free UNIX-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. Developed under the GNU General Public License, the source code for Linux is freely available to everyone. Linux is not a single program or a suite of tools. Most versions of Linux, known as distributions are available to download free of charge. (source www.linux.org)
 More about the History of Linux

What’s So Hot About Linux?

Reasons to Choose Linux over Windows

• Lower Cost of Ownership. Licensing terms of Windows require one CAL (license unit) per simultaneous user of a given server. Linux requires none. One Windows client license must be purchased per client computer. Linux requires none. Microsoft has corporate volume discounts, but the cost never goes to zero and the fee must be paid whether there is a new version from Microsoft or not.
   
•  Performance. Linux systems, per unit of processing power, are more efficient. Since the graphical interface is not part of the core software on Linux, it does not interfere with the speed of the server. It does so on Windows, although Windows Server 7 (not yet available) purportedly supports a GUI-less mode of operation. Linux still contains smaller and better-optimized kernel software and thus will run faster.
   
• Digital Rights Management (DRM). This feature is not threaded throughout the Linux kernel software as it is in Windows. Even the server versions of Windows contain this restrictive, heavy-overhead software. If you need to use DRM, you can protect your content and then only that content will be affected. All media-related data go through Microsoft’s DRM software to make sure all data is authorized, slowing everything down.
   
• Open Source. Linux source code is freely available to anyone to change, should one want a feature that is not currently supported. Windows is closed source, if one wants a feature added to Windows, one must ask and Microsoft must be willing to add it in a few years.
   
• Viruses. Very few exist for Linux and a properly secured Linux system is highly resistant to infections. There is no way to get around the human factor, though, and an unsecured Linux system can be taken over as can a Windows system. However, thousands of viruses and other malware are targeted at Windows. Most evil software depends on the Intel-style architecture, and if Linux is installed on a different architecture (which Windows cannot do), you are very safe.
   
• Support. Linux has more companies (IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Hitachi, Novell, Red Hat and Dell to name a few) supporting it under contractual arrangement. Windows has only Microsoft, since they created Windows. Other companies support Windows, but the final authority is with Microsoft, as few companies get access to Windows source code.
   
• Stability. Linux systems can (and do) remain running for years. Windows systems (even the servers) need to be re-booted periodically. A software company who has a Windows source code license can tell you why, but their agreements generally prevent disclosure.
   
• Wide Use. Linux runs on 60 percent of the world’s servers, according to Steve Ballmer of Microsoft. Linux runs on everything from watches to cameras to phones to the world’s fastest supercomputer, and everything in between.
   
• Large Developer Community. There are more Linux core software developers in the world than employees programming Windows at Microsoft. These programmers are in most of the world’s countries.
   
• Compatibility. Through software such as Samba and VMWare, Linux and Windows are interoperable, easing exchange of data between Windows clients and Linux servers, as well as easing transition from Windows to Linux.

What’s with the Penguins?

TUX is a penguin character, the official mascot of the Linux kernel. Originally created as an entry to a Linux logo competition, the image of the mascot is the most commonly used icon for Linux, used in many flavors showing Tux in one way or another. TUX’s name was decided on in 1996 based upon Torvalds UNIX = TUX. Tux the penguin is also used in many Linux games, which are usually look-alikes from other mainstream games.

Tux is intended to symbolize the carefree attitude of the Linux open source movement. Linus had not thought about a logo for Linux, something that all of the other major operating systems had. Once Linus went to the southern hemisphere on a vacation, and encountered a penguin. He tried to pat it on the head and it bit his hand. This stuck in his mind and he decided to use it as the logo for Linux. It remains so to this day.