The Linux Story reads like a modern-day fairy-tale: in 1991 the finish computer science student, LINUS TORVALDS begins programming his own version of Unix. In the rapidly spreading Internet he published not only the binaries, that is, the runnabl
e programs in machine language, but also the source code belonging to htem. And indeed, hundreds of programmers from all around the world took up his invitation to work on the development of Linux- without payment and in their spare time. It is not driven by commercial interest, but by the pleasure of solving problems alone and in a team, and of adding new functions to try and perfect the operating system. The only condition: the work including the modified source code must be made available to the general public. The legal basis for this is provided by the GNU General Public License (GPL) found in appendix G.
Those who choose Linux have good reasons for doing so: stability, security and performance are usaully mentioned first; but its extensive networking capabilities, with whose help Linux is conquering the Internet and the entire server market, make a close second. Linux insiders highly value the free source code and the independence and flexibility which this implies. Because of the free sources, you are no longer helpless, or at the mercy of a software manufacture, but free to carry out individual customizations and extensions yourself. It should not be forgetten, of course, that Linux has no licensing costs, irrespective of whether the operating system is used at home, for private use, or for any number of staff in the company.
A part from these arguments, however, a huge demand and great interest on the part of Linux users has encouraged many hardway and sofware manufacturers to actively support Linux. Siemens, IBM and Compaq to name just a few “big” names, have at last discovered Linux.
In addition to countless free applications, commercial software is becoming increasingly available for Linux: both database companies, such as Oracle, Informix, Software AG and Sybase, as well as providers of office solutions, such as Applix, Corel or Stardivision also offering their products for Linux. Linux is good, is getting even better and costs nothing! if you take into consideration the Linux community, with more than 10 million users, and growing rapidly, as well as their enthusiasm, you will realise: Linux possesses the best qualifications and prospects to become an industry standard. But that is not all: with KDE and GNOME, there are not one, but two, free and comfortable graphical desktops available which themeselves make the call.
January 28, 2008 at 4:35 am
LINUX COULD BE THE FUTURE FOR THOSE THAT CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE OTHER COMPETITION SOFTWARE, HOWEVER, THE COMPETITION IS SO STRONG THAT IN MANY COUNTRIES THERE IS STILL MILLIONS USING THEM EVEN IF THEY HAVE TO MAKE ILEGAL COPIES OF THIS SOFWARE.
bUT LINUX IS GETTING THERE, WHERE IN SOME MOMENT EVERYBODY WILL SWITCH. SEE http://WWW.SOLIDAMERICA.COM AND GET TO KNOW COSTA RICA.
January 28, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Nice summation of Linux and Open Source. Couple of points that could be haggled over or expounded upon for the sake of accuracy; but overall this article is a pretty good introduction for someone new to Linux and wanting to know a little more about it. Good job.
January 29, 2008 at 8:32 am
nice. as a programmer, i love linux. alas sadly i don’t run it anymore, too lazy so i run XP. i have OpenSuSE 10.2 on disk but don’t yet have a machine to try and install it on.