Linux

By: Desmond Mason

Linux History

In 1991, Linus Torvalds, while enrolled at the University of Helsinki, had an idea!...

…build a Unix-like operating system, (OS), for IBM compatible PCs.

As a frequent Minux-user, Torvalds decided that he wanted to create an OS that overcame the limitations of the Minux operating system.

So while living in his dormitory in Finland, Torvalds studied and experimented with the hope of creating a more efficient operating system…

History (continued)

Linus Torvalds, determined and devoted, created 0.01, the first version of Linux, (the name is a combination of Linus and UNIX).

Torvalds, interested in creating an OS for all to enjoy and afford, sought after feedback from the few users of his new, flawed operating system.

He then posted a topic on a subject-related message board asking for the likes and dislikes of his OS.

History (continued) The exact message from www.linux.ittoolbox.com: 

From: torvalds@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Linus Benedict Torvalds) Newsgroups: comp.os.minix Subject: Free minix-like kernel sources for 386-AT Date: 5 Oct 91 05:41:06 GMT Organization: University of Helsinki

Do you pine for the nice days of minix-1.1, when men were men and wrote their own device drivers? Are you without a nice project and just dying to cut your teeth on a OS you can try to modify for your; needs? Are you finding it frustrating when everything works on minix? No more all-nighters to get a nifty program working? Then this post might be just for you :-) As I mentioned a month(?) ago, I'm working on a free version of a minix-lookalike for AT-386 computers. It has finally reached the stage where it's even usable (though may not be depending on what you want), and I am willing to put out the sources for wider distribution. It is  just version 0.02 (+1 (very small) patch already), but I've successfully run bash/gcc/gnu-make/gnu-sed/compress etc under it. Sources for this pet project of mine can be found at nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in the directory /pub/OS/Linux. The directory also contains some README-file and a couple of binaries to work under linux. (bash, update and gcc, what more can you ask for :-). Full kernel source is provided, as no minix code has been used. Library sources are only partially free, so that cannot be distributed currently. The system is able to compile "as-is" and has been known to work. Heh. Sources to the binaries (bash and gcc) can be found at the same place in /pub/gnu.

History (continued)

Linus accepted the feedback and made the necessary corrections for each upgrade.

He upgraded from 0.01, to 0.02, to 0.03, and so on until he created Linux 1.0 which was released worldwide under the GNU General Public License.

This license allowed a completely liberal use of the operating system for all users. They were allowed to contribute to its advancement!

History (continued) Before long, the Linux community grew from

hundreds, to thousands, to millions of people worldwide.

With many more versions released to adapt to the increasing technology, Linux proved to be an elite, premier operating system utilized by over 18 million users.

Linus Torvalds, however, never became a billionaire; mainly because he offered his service for free. However, he is well recognized and appreciated by the entire growing Linux community.

Current ActivityWhat is Linux like today?

Current Activity Despite the skeptical computer world, Linux proved

to be qualified as a premier operating system as it completed a decade of development.

There are currently over eight different distributions of Linux: 1. Red-Hat Linux2. Mandrake Linux3. SuSe Linux4. Lycoris Linux5. Xandros Linux6. Lindows’ Linux7. Knoppix Linux8. Slackware Linux

Current Activity (continued)Brief Descriptions of the Different Distributions

Current Activity (continued) Red-Hat Linux- the most popular Linux

distribution; prevalently used in corporate America. Mandrake Linux- popular among Linux home

users and new Linux users; graphically designed and easy to navigate

Suse Linux- Windows alternative; user-friendly configuration tools

Lycoris Linux- emphasis on a transition from windows

Xandros Linux- cost-based distribution that is very reliable but prevents re-distribution.

Lindows’, Knoppix, Slackware Linux- For experienced Linux users. Omitted graphics, and requires concise instruction by the user

Linux vs. Competition

Linux vs. Microsoft Windows Server System Although Linux has proven to be an

extremely successful movement and effort…

…they have not obtained the most successful status amongst all operating systems.

Equifax, a billion dollar credit reporting agency, changed their mainframe OS from Linux to Microsoft Windows in June 2004.

They have since become a more efficient company and their total costs have decreased by 14%.

Linux vs. Microsoft Windows Server System (continued) Additional evidence to Linux’s

inferiority with Microsoft is found in a study conducted by Forrester Research Corporation.

They concluded that any company that eliminates the use of Linux, and makes the transition to Microsoft, will cut their costs by 5-20%.

Linux vs. Microsoft Windows Server System (continued) Linux, although very-popular, (Red-Hat

Linux ranks 2nd behind Windows XP), proves to still have room for improvement.

Originated in 1993, Linux has evolved into a legitimate competitor for the Cash Cow named Microsoft.

However it will have to improve in the future in order to surpass Microsoft as the most efficient and successful operating system.

Future Direction

The Future for Linux

The thousands of developers for Linux have developed a long term-mission for all Linux Operating System’s…

“Advance each system as the world advances around us.”

This underlying statement and objective has been the key to the success of Linux since its original creation in 1991!

Bibliography

Bibliography

http://www.lwn.net/Articles. Copyright © 2005. Access date: March 3, 2005

http://www.commercialventvac.com/~jeffs/WindowsVsLinuxSecurity.html. Access date: March 3, 2005

www.microsoft.com. Copyright © 2004 Microsoft Corporation. Access date: March 3, 2004

www.librenix.com. Copyright © 2000-2005, Ray Yeargin. Access date: March 5,

Bibliography (continued)

Tarea Durand. Telephone Interview. 770-736-3949