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sudo Sergeant 00: What Is Linux?

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Usually when people refer to Linux, they are referring to Linux the kernel, and not the operating system. Linux enthusiast Felix Gardner walks you through how Linux functions as a kernel for an OS of a Linux distribution. 

 

When people install Linux they are usually talking about an operating system that uses Linux as the kernel. The kernel was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and a bunch of people started contributing to it. The rest of the operating system is GNU which is a recursive acronym for GNU NOT UNIX.  GNU is a whole host of the software that makes up the entire operating system except for the kernel.

 

The beginning of GNU dates back to 1983 when Richard Stallman decided to make a UNIX like operating system. UNIX was becoming closed source and Richard wanted to access the software, so he could make changes and manipulate a computer however he wanted. He believed that people should be able to access the software on their computers.

 

GNU has four essential freedoms:

 

  • Freedom 0 - The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.
  • Freedom 1 - The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
  • Freedom 2 - The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor.
  • Freedom 3 - The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others. By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

 

Felix walks you through the subtle difference between free software and open software.  He sheds light on the fact that some freeware software is not actually free.

Anonymous
  • in reply to firemanak

    The official NOOBS packages are probably the easiest way to get going on the Raspberry Pi. It is a Debian based linux distribution.

     

    For standard desktop computing it often comes down to personal preference. I like Linux Mint (Cinnamon), and I often find it's the easiest to get Microsoft users to transition to.

  • Felix, what is a good linux to start with, and can I use one of my raspberry pis to learn it?

  • I know that this was a very brief overview, but I'm just getting started.

  • Great job whetting the appetite Felix!

     

    I think these type of micro segments are a really good way to discuss the finer details of the supporting material on the show.

     

    Furthermore, it provides a stimulating look back, or forward, to the "where the technology has come from" and offer up a comparison to what it has, or will have, evolve into.

  • I really like this video and felix is a great presenter! keep on going an get everybody to join the penguin club.
    and if they resist....

    sudo !!

  • Well done Felix.

     

    I like this type of posting and I hope you continue to demystify LINUX.

     

    On issue you might remind people about was the fact that UNIX was controlled by Bell Labs and they place a very high user fee per each copy and greatly limited its distribution.

    The work by Linus was to reverse engineer UNIX so that he could provide the source code to the UNIX enthusiasts who could not afford a copy from Bell Labs.

     

    The LINUX project took off with wide support world wide so that LINUX has become the open standard form of UNIX