Linux - what is it? Linux OS: review, instructions, reviews. How to start using Linux. Which Linux-based operating system distribution to download and install Who created windows and linux

In January of this year, the FAS acknowledged that Microsoft dominates the market of operating systems (OS) for personal computers (PC) in Russia. According to the data of 2015, which operated by the FAS, 95.6% of desktop PCs and laptops were running Windows. Apple had 2.5% of the market, but its Mac OS is not easy to install anywhere other than Mac computers. The real competitors of Microsoft, the most serious of which is Linux, occupied only 1.9% of the market.

It would seem that the project to create a free OS failed. In fact, he is rapidly conquering the world. "Many people don't even know they use Linux," Finn Linus Torvalds said in an interview with Linux magazine. Pick up a smartphone - if it's Android, it's built on the Linux kernel. Climb the sites of giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook or some small obscure firms - they use Linux. Linux runs the International Space Station, powers most supercomputers, and was taken over by the New York Stock Exchange in 2007. Tens of thousands of programmers around the world are working on the constant improvement of the free system for free.

Employee Microsoft once told Torvalds that his portrait is used in their office as a target for darts. Steve Ballmer, while he was the CEO of Microsoft, publicly attacked Linux. Probably because she was indifferent to him. After quitting, he admitted in an interview with Fortune: Linux is an increasing threat to Windows and is already "looming in the rearview mirror." Ballmer's successor Satya Nadella took a different path: he launched the Microsoft Loves Linux initiative to adapt software to each other.

But Apple, on the contrary, at the end of last year banned the installation of Linux and other operating systems, except for Mac OS and Windows 10, on their new computers. And before that, Steve Jobs suggested that Torvalds become one of the developers of Mac OS and introduce into the process the same unusual development principles that Linux has. But the Finnish programmer refused. “I think [Jobs] was very surprised that his argument about Apple's market share didn't work,” Torvalds recalled.

He has his own views on what is open source software and what is his, Torvalds, role in the computer world. He created software that is free and on which he did not expect to earn a cent (however, he ended up making millions). But even when money was tight in the late 1990s, Torvalds turned down the $10 million he would have received for joining the board of directors of one of the newborn Linux companies.

In January of this year, Torvalds launched the development of the 5th version of the Linux kernel. “Changing the number does not mean anything special. If you want an official reason, I ran out of fingers and toes, so "4.21" turned into "5," InternetUA quoted him as saying.

Mesmerized by the calculator

Linus Torvalds was born on December 28, 1969 in Helsinki and should have become a journalist - like almost all of his relatives. My father was a radio journalist, my mother was an editor in a news agency, my uncle worked for Finnish television, my grandfather was the editor-in-chief of a newspaper, and my sister, a news agency employee, also opened her own translation agency specializing in translating news reports.

Family legend says that Linus's great-grandfather, journalist and writer Ernst von Wendt, fought for the Whites in 1917 and was captured by the Reds. Father Niels, on the contrary, was an ideological communist. Some children were even banned from playing with Linus, and he himself was teased at school because of his father's radicalism. When the parents divorced, the children did not notice this too much: the father lived in Moscow for a long time.

A rare exception to the family profession was Leo's maternal grandfather Waldemar Turnqvist, professor of statistics at the University of Helsinki. My grandson really enjoyed watching him work on the calculator. Unlike modern ones, those calculators needed time to calculate, and they blinked lights. The sight fascinated young Linus. In 1981, instead of a calculator, my grandfather bought the first computer, a Commodore VIC-20.

The rarest surname

In the biography "Just for Fun. The Story of an Unexpected Revolutionary (Moscow: Eksmo-press, 2002) Linus Torvalds, who belongs to the Swedish-speaking minority of Finland, tells about the origin of his surname:<...>I made it myself, using my middle name as an improvised material. At birth, he was named Ole Thorwald Alice Saxberg. He was born without a father (Sachsberg is his mother's maiden name) and then received the surname Karanko from the man my great-grandmother married. Farfar (as the Finns call their paternal grandfather. - Vedomosti) did not like his stepfather so much that he changed his surname: he added the letter “s” to the name Torvald to give the surname a more solid - as it seemed to him - sound. The name Thorvald means "Thor's dominion". It would be better if he created a surname from scratch, and did not do alterations: the addition of "s" deprives the word of its original meaning and confuses both Swedes and Finns, who cannot figure out how to pronounce this surname. They want to write it not Torvalds, but Thorwalds. There are only 21 Torvalds in the world, and we are all relatives. We all face this family problem.”

Torvalds recalls that he was not an outcast at school and was quite dexterous - he was willingly taken to the team in the Finnish version of bouncers. But at the same time he was a typical nerd: “He looked like a beaver, wore glasses, dressed insipidly, most of the time my hair looked bad, and the rest of the days it was terrible.” It is not surprising that he became interested in computers. This infatuation didn't go away as he got older. Because of the Finnish weather, there is nothing to do in the country except to program, have sex or drink, Torvalds joked. With the second, he did not really develop - hackers in those years had not yet become fashionable, he did not particularly like to drink. It remains to write codes.

Computer investment

When Grandpa passed away, Linus took over his computer by default. Then he bought a Sinclair QL. The family did not show off: Torvalds recalls how her mother periodically pawned the only value - a share of the Helsinki Telephone Company (issued to each owner of the phone) worth about $ 500. Having become famous, he will make the only exception for this company and enter its board of directors.

In 1990, Torvalds entered the University of Helsinki. He bought a computer with a 386th Intel processor, for which he had to get into a loan for several years. It was worth it: it was a powerful machine for its time.

The university had a Unix operating system. Torvalds' computer runs the free Minix OS. Torvalds did not like how she connected from home via modem to the university network, nor how she worked with the hardware of his computer. For example, Minix was designed for 16-bit processors, while Intel 386 was 32-bit.

Torvalds wrote several programs to solve these problems. But they required other programs: for example, his solution for working with the institute's network did not know how to write files to disk. In the end, so many additional functions were created that it dawned on Torvalds: he had in his hands a Minix replacement in five minutes. But he still worked with Minix until he accidentally messed it up: he wrote a command that damaged the hard drive in the place where the OS was written. Then Torvalds began to use his Linux as the main OS.

Free software ideologues

It cannot be said that Torvalds created the operating system from scratch. He created the core of the system, that is, what connects the programs with the hardware of the computer and allows them to work. This is the base on which you can hang many different add-ons. There is no one operating system Linux, similar to Windows 10 - there are many operating systems based on the Linux kernel, some of which use the word Linux in the name.

Torvalds himself, in order to create a full-fledged OS on his kernel, used a set of foreign programs under the auspices of the General Public License (GPL), developed by Richard Stallman. Torvalds reverently calls him "the god of free software."

Stallman started working on a free alternative to Unix in 1984. "Free" was the key word. His task was to ensure that no one could appropriate the source codes and demand payment for them. Stallman created the ideological and legal framework for such software, the Free Software Manifesto, and wrote the General Public License (GPL) with lawyers. It says that if a programmer used code licensed under the GPL, then he must provide everyone with the source code of the resulting product, the right to modify and distribute it. The next programmer who used GPL-licensed software for his programs, etc., will have to do the same.

Torvalds, using Stallman's work, also licensed his kernel under the GPL. Therefore, in 2001, the general director Microsoft Ballmer cursed: “Linux is a cancer that devours all the intellectual property it touches. According to the license rules, if you use any components of open source software, you must open source all the software you have” (cited by Cnet).

Why Linux is popular

Torvalds was initially reluctant to distribute his work. But he boasted of his success on an Internet forum and, so that he would not be considered a talker, posted the code.

His creation captivated other programmers, who began to put it on their computers and offer improvements. It was very far from perfection indeed. One day, Torvalds received a letter, the author of which praised Linux for a long time, and at the end reported that the drive driver contained a bug that had just destroyed his hard drive.

The system became more and more popular. By that time, Torvalds had long been working on Linux not alone. More and more people understood the code and offered their improvements, and they did it absolutely free. There is a system that allows volunteers to work on new version Linux, along with other developers, to see changes made by others and, in case of errors, revert to previous versions of files. Once upon a time, Linux had 10,000 lines of code. Now the bill is in the tens of millions. In 2017, about 80,000 Linux enhancements were proposed, 90% of them by paid programmers, and 30% of them worked for Intel, wrote The New Yorker.

Torvalds knows Linux so well that proposed changes are often accepted or rejected from sight: "It's like looking into a book and not seeing individual letters or words, but grasping the whole sentence" (quoted by Bloomberg). But if the changes are serious, then he needs 10–25 minutes to test them. Although Torvalds has many assistants who weed out proposals, he sometimes has to review 30 changes a day.

With such a system, Linux has attracted the attention of major players. Sun Microsystems was the first among large companies to install software based on the Linux kernel on their equipment, then IBM, Informix, Oracle... Small companies were also interested. The rise of online commerce in the 1990s spawned a need for server software. Previously, you had to spend thousands of dollars on it, now you could install it for a penny by adapting Linux. Anyone can start their own online business.

Torvalds believes that the basis for Linux's success is that it doesn't have a niche. Once upon a time, Unix made a bet on the supercomputers of the military, banks, financial institutions, he says in his autobiography “Just for Fun. The Story of an Unexpected Revolutionary. This software cost a lot of money. Then came Microsoft with its relatively inexpensive rates and began to work everywhere. “But imagine a liquid organism that floods any discovered space. If one of the niches is lost, it doesn't matter. The organism fills the whole world, flowing into all holes. The same thing is happening with Linux now. She appears wherever there is interest in her.<...>It can be found on supercomputers in all sorts of cool places like the National Laboratory. Fermi and NASA. But there it flowed from the server space. And in turn, I got into it from the world of desktop computers - this is where I started. At the same time, Linux is also found on embedded devices, from anti-lock brakes to watches. Watch her fill the world."

Of course, another reason for the popularity is the image of Robin Hood. On the one hand, a monster corporation Microsoft, rumors of spying on users, etc., and on the other hand, free software and a humble Finn.

How Torvalds Became a Millionaire

“I struggled to scrape together the monthly payments for my computer, which were calculated for three years,” Torvalds recalled in a biography. But he considered it wrong to take money for Linux. The reason for this was Finland, with its attitude towards greed, and the stubborn communist father, and the unwillingness to make those who helped him make the program better pay, Torvalds reasoned.

There are so-called bloomers on the Internet (from English shareware) - free software that asks: "If you like me, send money to the author." In Linux, there was no such request, but many wrote to Torvalds that they would gladly support him financially. At that time, a letter from the “maximum repost” series was circulating on the Internet: supposedly the boy Craig was dying of cancer, but he could be cheered up by sending a postcard. Torvalds jokingly asked to drop him a couple of lines instead of currency. When mailbox began to burst from postcards from all over the world, the family suspected that Linus was doing something important. He himself did not talk much about Linux, despite all the accusations that his modem constantly occupied the telephone line.

Torvalds lived and dined with his mother. It had about $5,000 in tuition loans, about $50 a month in credit for a computer, and some money for beer. The problem of the loan was solved by itself: a friend announced on the Internet a subscription to pay for Torvalds' computer, and he, as an exception, accepted the money. And he paid the rest from his salary. There is a Swedish-speaking minority in Finland to which the Torvaldses belong. In 1992, a course in the Faculty of Informatics needed an assistant who spoke Swedish and was computer savvy. There were only two of them in the department.

Three years later, Torvalds became a full-time researcher at the university: he received money for research, which by and large came down to improving Linux.

Thanks to teaching, Torvalds got married. Tuva, a kindergarten teacher and six-time Finnish karate champion, signed up for his special course "Introduction to Computer Science". The first task was to send an e-mail to the teacher - it was not as easy as it is now. In a letter, Tuva invited him on a date. At first, they did not part at all, and Torvalds even abandoned programming.

In 1997, Torvalds and his family moved to the US to work for Transmeta, a company that develops low power processors. One of the co-owners of this company is Paul Allen, who, together with Bill Gates, founded Microsoft. Torvalds' task was to maintain the project's Linux infrastructure.

Torvalds never had more than $5,000 in his bank account until the beginning of this century, when he became an overnight millionaire. Just because Linux is free doesn't mean you can't make money on it. Even when the project was in its infancy, the core could be downloaded for free from the Internet - or you could buy its recording on a floppy disk or CD from enterprising guys. You can make money on Linux installation services, you can customize Linux for the needs of a particular company for a fee. The latter is handled by Red Hat, which went public on August 11, 1999. And before that, as a sign of gratitude, she gave Torvalds an option for a block of shares.

On the first day of trading, quotes doubled. But he had the right to sell papers not earlier than in 180 days. Fortunately, they have been growing all this time (in 2009, Red Hat will enter the S&P 500), and the cost of Torvalds' stake has reached $5 million.

Soon another company, VA Linux, went public and similarly gave Torvalds an option. On a wave of optimism, the stock immediately rose 10 times to $300. But it turned out to be too much, and the dot-com bubble was starting to deflate. From $300, the shares began to fall, and at a minimum a year later they gave $6.6. Torvalds recalls how terrible it was for 180 days to watch your stake become cheaper, and you could not sell it.

With the proceeds from the shares, the family (now the author of Linux has three daughters) bought a house in America, and Torvalds was addicted to keeping in the garage, in addition to the family Pontiac, also a convertible, usually yellow.

In 2012, Torvalds won the Millennium Technology Prize, the largest technology award in the world. He shared the €1.2 million prize with that year's other laureate, Japanese stem cell researcher Shinya Yamanaka.

But Torvalds' main source of income, after he left Transmeta in 2003, was the Linux Foundation (in those years it was called Open Source Development Labs). His job is to evaluate other people's suggestions for improving Linux: “I myself haven't written code in years. Everything I write is just fixing other people's mistakes, I make changes to one or two lines, my contribution is to combine different pieces of code ”(quote from The Register online edition). The fund is filled with donations, including from companies using Linux. According to The New Yorker, in 2017 his budget was $50 million, and Torvalds received $1.6 million from the fund in 2016.

Rule for a rude person

“Managing a project with hundreds of thousands of developers, I act exactly the same as in my student days: I don’t entrust anything to anyone, but just wait for someone to volunteer,” Torvalds said in his biography. “I approve or reject their work, but for the most part I let events take their course. If two people are leading similar directions, then I accept the work of both to see which one gets used. Sometimes both are used, but they begin to develop in different directions. Once there was a strong competition between two people: each of them insisted that his patches be used, which conflicted with the opponent's patches. I stopped accepting patches from both until one of the developers lost interest. This is what King Solomon would have done if he had run a kindergarten.”

This approach has proven to be effective on a Linux scale. But when Torvalds was assigned to manage a department of 15 employees at Transmeta, he showed his complete unsuitability. Three months later, he was quietly demoted back to the programmers.

But not everyone likes him as the main coordinator of Linux, since the style of his communication with colleagues for many years remained “student”: the programmer did not restrain himself in expressions.

In 2013, one of the developers even wrote a letter to Torvalds asking him not to insult or intimidate his colleagues. “If you want me to 'act professionally', I can tell you that I'm not interested,” Torvalds replied. I am sitting at home in my office, dressed in a dressing gown. I'm not going to start wearing a tie, and just as I'm not going to engage in false politeness, lying, office politics and sitting up, passive aggressiveness and other buzzwords. Because THIS is what “acting professionally” is all about: people resort to all sorts of unpleasant things because they are forced to follow ordinary impulses in an unnatural way ”(quoted by The New Yorker).

In 2015, Torvalds' closest associate, programmer Greg Kroah-Hartman, wrote the Conflict Resolution Code, in part to protect others from harsh language. Torvalds approved the innovation, but did not begin to restrain himself. At the end of that year, Sarah Sharpe and Matthew Gareth left the Linux kernel development team due to rough treatment. “I am a really unpleasant person. Some people think I'm so cute and some are shocked to see otherwise. I'm not a nice person and I don't care about you. I care about the technology and the core,” Torvalds responded (quoted from The Register).

Last October, the kernel developers were due to attend the Linux Maintainer Summit. Torvalds visited her for 20 consecutive years. But this time he mixed up the date and planned a vacation with his family. This was discovered ahead of time, but he refused to change plans for the sake of the summit and left for Scotland. Then its participants decided not to gather in Vancouver, but in Edinburgh, closer to Torvalds, so that he could still join them for a while. The story was heatedly discussed in programming circles, and The New Yorker journalists got a meeting with Torvalds and asked him questions about this incident and his relationship with colleagues. In September 2018—before the article even came out—Torvalds apologized for his behavior, promised to think about how to change it, and announced that he was temporarily stepping back from coordinating Linux.

In the same month, a new code of conduct for Linux developers was unveiled, and in October, Torvalds returned to the team (he also visited the forum).

Now the community lives by the new rules. In the past, immediacy and directness in expressing an opinion was considered natural and useful in open source software development. Now criticism must be expressed constructively, and after hearing it, it must be carefully considered. Derogatory comments, personal attacks, expressions with sexual overtones are prohibited. Torvalds is still trying to restrain himself.

There are many types of operating systems. One of them is the Linux operating system. What is this operating system? Where is it used? How is it organized?

Linux: what is it

Linux is an operating system in which the user has a wide choice of software that will be installed on it. In this operating system, you can choose between several types of desktops and a dozen shells for the command line, which, by the way, is called the terminal and plays a rather important role. Due to the fact that this operating system is designed to run several programs at once, it is not very prone to failures.

No program can be launched by default without the knowledge of the user, so it is very difficult to encounter a virus written for Linux. If they infect computers, it is only because the user himself launched a suspicious application. Samples of this system can work via USB or optical drives.

Linux: development history

In Russian, the name of this operating system is not translated. It is named after its pioneer founder, Linus Torvalds. He presented his creation to the public in 1994. The development of the system began in 1991. Due to the fact that this operating system was open source and could be modified by everyone, so it had followers around the world. Developments are beginning to be used by various companies that produce paid distributions.

At the same time, entire communities of developers have emerged who, on a voluntary basis, create and distribute their own builds. As of 2016, there are about a dozen popular versions of Linux operating systems. What does this state of affairs mean? This means that there is serious competition and diversity. In addition to popular versions, less common ones are also used, which are designed to perform a certain range of tasks. If you are interested in the Russian version of the Linux operating system, then it is worth noting that downloading it today is not a problem. For other versions, there are russifiers that can translate at least part of the designations.

Linux and Windows: Differences

These operating systems at first glance have serious differences. However, in reality, everything is not quite so. There are differences, but to see them, you need to look a little deeper. We will focus on the Linux operating system, but since we will be comparing with Windows, we will have to describe this OS as well. We will consider the file system, graphical shell, system configuration, scope. At the end of the article, we will pay a little attention to distributions.

File system

First of all, it is worth noting that in the usual sense, there are no hard drives in the Linux operating system. What can this state of affairs be about in the first place? Physical disks and logical partitions are saved, here they will be represented by directories. The OS connects to some folder, everything that will be created will fall into it. Work can only be done with the files that are in it. The main folder is called the root folder. It is denoted by the sign /. User files are usually stored in the /home/username/ folder. You can change the location as you wish.

Graphical shell

After using the Windows operating system, moving to Linux may seem inconvenient at first. However, this is only true when using the terminal. There are graphical shells with which you can work with the familiar interface. The terminal is used either by very advanced users or on servers. Graphically designed shell will suit all other users who do not want to remember the exact directories of information. Thus, we can say that the Linux operating system can appear in various forms. There are several options for customizing the desktop. Graphic design is calculated in hundreds of variations.

Configuration

In operating system Windows given information is in system registry. It is a kind of database. It is required so that the programs that run in the operating system of the program are correctly configured at the first boot and at the beginning of work. In the event that the registry is damaged, only a complete reinstallation can help. However, this has a certain advantage: everything is in one place. In the Linux operating system, developers decided to take a slightly different path. In this OS, each program is the owner of a separate configuration file, and maybe even several.

These files can be viewed and edited in any text editor. If there are several more files, then this has its advantages. If one of them is damaged, only part of the developments will be lost. In the worst case, only the program will have to be reinstalled. In addition, if the user wants to change the computer, he does not have to start all over again. He can just copy necessary files between machines, either directly or via a host. But what if the operating system was damaged? This is another important advantage of the Linux operating system.

The OS needs to be reinstalled and you need to do it. But file settings after execution this process won't disappear. However, there is one small drawback here: each program has its own configuration file format. It will be necessary to understand them well before editing anything.
Applications

We have already talked about the Linux operating system, and how it differs from the Windows OS familiar to many users. Today we will focus on the areas of its application. Alas, it will not find application everywhere. Linux, whether it's an office or home workstation, is close to ideal. The thing is that for this OS there are many created or ported games. There are also separate programs that run complex engineering programs or graphics packages like Adobe.

With the help of emulation, this problem in most cases is solved quite simply. However, not all users need a computer that can solve specific problems. Let's take a look at the list of features of this operating system. The Linux operating system allows you to create office documents, process texts, and create spreadsheets. It is also possible to view and edit photos and images. You can watch videos and listen to music. You can even play simple games on the system. It is possible to carry out communication processes via the Internet.

It is worth noting that in this regard, the Linux operating system is significantly superior to its competitor. Linux is great for programming. The user can easily explore the Internet space. It is also convenient to remote control any operating systems. E-mail and various messaging programs are available here. File sharing is quite convenient.

About distributions

If you want to install a Russian version of Linux on your computer, then it's worth talking a little about distributions. The user has the opportunity to choose the language and geographic orientation. In addition, with the help of this operating system, you can seriously study languages. But now we are talking about distributions. The main difference is that the programs are located in file system. This is not to say that one distribution is more convenient to use than another.

Here everything will depend on the range of tasks to be solved. You can use a version in which it is convenient to do programming, but there is poor Internet support. This option suitable for those users who need to concentrate on work instead of being constantly distracted by the Internet. There are also versions that allow you to best customize the power. This makes it possible to obtain maximum performance. In general, there are plenty to choose from, you just need to stop at one or another version.

If you are about to switch to Linux for the first time, there are some things you need to know. This guide contains important information to help you get started.

You'll learn what Linux is, why you should use it, what distributions there are, how to install them, how to use the terminal, how to set up hardware, and many other key aspects.

Linux is an operating system used in a variety of systems from light bulbs to weapons, from laptops to large computer centers.

Everything runs on Linux, from your phone to your smart fridge.

In the user environment, Linux is an alternative to commercial operating systems such as Windows.

Why use Linux instead of Windows?

There are many reasons why you should use Linux instead of Windows, and here are just a few.

1. Linux OS is supported on older computers. Although Windows XP will still run on older hardware, it is no longer supported, so there are no security updates. There are a number of Linux distributions that are built specifically for older hardware and are regularly maintained and updated.
2. Some Linux distributions and desktop environments are now more familiar to regular computer users than Windows 8 and Windows 10. If you like the look and feel of Windows 7, why not give Linux Mint a try, for example.
3. The volume occupied by Windows 10 is huge. A typical Linux distribution is just over 1 gigabyte, although some may be as small as a few hundred megabytes. Also Windows requires at least DVD level bandwidth.
4. Linux comes with free software and you are free to modify and use this software as you wish.
5. Linux has always been more secure than Windows, as there are very few viruses for it, even though the Internet of Things has been under threat recently.
6. Linux performs better than Windows in many ways, and you can squeeze every last drop out of it on older, limited hardware.
7. Confidentiality. Windows collects data from Cortana and search in general on a regular basis. While this is not a new thing since Google does the same thing, you can be pretty sure that Linux doesn't do this, especially if you choose a free distribution.
8. Reliability. When a program freezes in Linux you can close it quite easily. When a program freezes in Windows, even when you try to run the Task Manager to close that program, it doesn't always work.
9. Updates. Windows is very intrusive with its update policy. How many times have you turned on your computer to print concert tickets or other important information to see the 1 out of 450 update installation screen?
10. Variability. You can make Linux look, feel, and behave exactly the way you want it to. With Windows, the computer behaves the way Microsoft thinks you want.
    If you're still undecided, read this guide to help you decide if Linux is right for you.

Which Linux distribution should you use?

The first question to ask yourself is “what is a Linux distribution?” It's just that the Linux kernel is like an engine. The distribution is actually the vehicle that houses the engine.

So which Linux distribution should you choose? Here are the main ones:

• Linux Mint A: Does not require advanced computer experience, easy to install, easy to use, and has a familiar desktop experience for Windows 7 users
• Debian A: If you're looking for a truly free Linux distribution with no proprietary drivers, firmware, or software, then Debian is for you. An old man among distributions.
• ubuntu: a modern Linux distribution that is easy to install and use
• openSUSE: A stable and powerful Linux distribution. Not as easy to install as Mint and Ubuntu, but a very good alternative nonetheless
• Fedora: the most up-to-date Linux distribution with all new concepts included as soon as possible
• Mageia: rose from the ashes of the once great Mandriva Linux. Easy to install and use
• CentOS A: Like Fedora, CentOS is based on the commercial Linux distribution, Red Hat Linux. Unlike Fedora, it's built for stability
• Manjaro: based on Arch Linux, Manjaro strikes a great balance between ease of use and modern software
• LXLE: Based on the lightweight Lubuntu distribution, it is a full-featured Linux distribution for older hardware
• Arch: A rolling release distribution means you don't have to install new versions of the operating system because it updates itself. Harder for a new user to master, but very powerful
• Elementary: Linux for people who like a Mac-style interface

You can read more about the best distributions for beginners in.

What is a desktop environment?

A typical Linux distribution is made up of several components.

There is a display manager which is used to help you log in, a window manager which is used to manage windows, panels, menus, main interfaces and applications.

Many of these elements are combined together to create what is known as the desktop environment.

Some Linux distributions come with only one desktop environment (although others are available in the software repositories), while others have different distribution versions for different desktop environments.

The most common desktop environments include Cinnamon, GNOME, Unity, KDE, Enlightenment, XFCE, LXDE and MATE.

• Cinnamon is a more traditional desktop environment that is similar to Windows 7 with a bar at the bottom, menus, system tray icons, and quick launch icons.
• GNOME and Unity pretty similar. They are modern desktop environments that use the concept of launcher icons and a dashboard-style display to select apps. There are also core applications that integrate well with the overall theme of the desktop environment.
• KDE is a fairly traditional desktop environment, but it has a huge amount of features and a core set of applications that are easily customizable large quantity settings.
• Enlightenment, XFCE, LXDE and MATE- Fairly lightweight desktop environments with panels and menus. All of them are easy to set up.

How to connect to the Internet

While the internet connection is different for each desktop environment, the principle is the same for all.

1. Somewhere on the panel is a network icon. Click on it and you will see a list of wireless networks.
2. Click on the desired network and enter the security key.

The best system for web browsing

Linux has it all best browsers, including Chrome, Chromium, Firefox and Midori.

It does not have Internet Explorer, in other words, who needs it? In browser Chrome there is everything you might need.

Are there decent office suites for Linux?

There is no doubt that Microsoft office is a premium product and it is very good tool, which is difficult to repeat and surpass the quality of this product.

For personal use and for small and medium businesses, you can claim that Google Docs and libreoffice are good alternatives and at a lower cost.

libreoffice comes with a text editor with most of the features you would expect to see in a text editor. It also comes with a decent spreadsheet that is also fully featured and even includes a basic programming engine, although it's not compatible with Excel VBA.

Other tools include presentations, maths, databases and drawing packages which are also very good.

How to install programs in Linux?

Linux users don't install software the way they do Windows users, although the differences are getting smaller and smaller.

Typically, if a Linux user wants to install a package, they run a tool called a package manager.

The package manager consults repositories that store packages that can be installed.

A package management tool usually provides a way to find software, install software, keep software up to date, and uninstall software.

As technology advances, some Linux distributions introduce new types of packages that are self-contained just like Android apps.

Each distribution provides its own graphical tool. There are common command line tools used across distributions.

• For example, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Debian use the package manager apt-get.
• Fedora and CentOS use the package manager yum.
• Arch and Manjaro use pacman.

You can learn more about installing applications on Linux from.

Linux Command Line

No matter what Linux users say, it is the need to use the terminal that prevents the system from becoming massively popular. However, this is a useless discussion.

While it's helpful to learn basic Linux commands (the same can be said for DOS commands on Windows), there's no need to do so.

The first thing you need to know is, of course, how to open a terminal, and of course there are plenty of ways to do this.

Why is it called a terminal? Terminal is actually a short name for a terminal emulator, and it takes us back to the time when people logged in on physical terminals. Now all you need to know is that the terminal is where you enter Linux commands.

Once you open the terminal, you should really understand it. The first thing you need to know about rights. You can read more about this in.

The command that users usually recognize at an early stage is the command sudo, but don't start mindlessly typing commands with sudo, not understanding what she is doing, because it could all end in disaster.

While you are working in the terminal, you should also be familiar with switching users with the command su.

Essentially the command sudo allows you to elevate privileges so that you can run commands as a different user. Default other user is user root.

Team su switches the context so that you are running as the specified user. On behalf of this user, you can execute a number of commands.

More facts about Linux

• The Live Linux DVD or USB allows you to run Linux without installing it on your hard drive. This allows you to test your Linux drive before moving to it, and is also good for the casual user.
• Each Linux distribution comes with its own installer, which is a program that helps you set up and install Linux.
• When a user installs Linux, they can either install it as a single system or install it along with Windows.
• Linux takes the lead when it comes to playing audio files. There are dozens of great sound apps out there, and you can pick one or more that you like.
• Unfortunately, there is no Outlook on Linux.
• The great thing about Linux is that you can make it look and feel the way you want.
• Each Linux desktop environment works a little differently and therefore it will take some time to learn all the bases.

Summary

In this guide, we told you what Linux is, why you should use it, what are the Linux distributions and how to choose from them, how to try Linux, how to install it, how to set up Linux, how to navigate Linux, talked about best apps how to install applications and how to use the command line.

This should give you a good basis for moving forward.

Found a typo? Select the text and press Ctrl + Enter

The most popular at the moment is the operating Windows system. This is due to a successful start, and the initial focus on working with it for inexperienced users. But almost everyone who has several years of using this OS behind them, the question arises of what analogues can offer. Here is one of these will be considered as part of the article.

Linux: what is it and what does it consist of?

This is not an easy question. To fully familiarize yourself with the capabilities of this development, you need to read more than one book and spend a lot of time at the computer. The operating system itself is a set of programs with which it is possible to interact with a computer and run other programs. At the very core there are several important applications that can be divided into the following groups:

1. Allowing you to receive instructions from users and communicate with them.
2. Making it possible to read and write data to the hard disk, as well as their reproduction using a printer.
3. Allowing you to control the use of memory and the launch of other programs.

The most important part of an operating system is the kernel (called Linux). What does such a device give you in practice? The currently popular temporary samples use various programs that were written for this project as another part of the operating system. By the way, the full name of this OS is GNU/Linux. Read on to find out why she has such a name.

Creation

GNU/Linux was modeled after the Unix OS. From the very beginning, this operating system was developed as a multi-user and multi-tasking one. That alone is enough to make her stand out. But there are much more differences. The most important thing is that it is free (a significant part of the development was created by volunteers free of charge) and the absence of an owner. The Free Software Foundation first created something like this in 1984. Then they developed a Unix-like operating system, which was called GNU. Many basic functions were created with the help of which it was possible to solve a wide range of tasks (compared to what generally existed then). In addition to the foundation, many working groups and individuals have made their contribution, which in no way detracts from their work. But still there are some features. Thus, the foundation created most of the tools used, the philosophy and the community of enthusiastic users and independent programmers. By their forces, a well-adjusted one appeared. But this is still the story of only the first part. The Linux OS kernel was created by a Finnish student in 1991 (the first stable version dates back to 1994). Then it was announced as a replacement for Minix. The creator has not retired since then and continues to lead a group of several hundred programmers who improve the operating system.

What does the operating system provide to users?

Today there is a lot of freedom in choosing the required software. So, there are a dozen command-line shells, as well as several graphical desktops. Moreover, this does not mean visual design, but a change in the functional part. Also, due to the adaptation of the operating system for the execution of several programs, it is less prone to various failures and is better protected. Since its inception, Linux OS has been slowly but surely gaining its audience. So, most of the servers are already working on it. The path in the corporate segment and at home is just beginning. Each distribution is different in its functionality, appearance and size. So, there are options that provide the widest possibilities. There are also those that can fit on a small flash drive or work on older computers. Also, immediately after, it is possible to quickly install software packages to work in certain areas (which is valuable if an “office” computer is being created).

Terminal

This is an important part of working with the Linux operating system. What is a terminal? It is a powerful tool with great potential. With it, you can facilitate, or even completely shift all routine work to the machine. Using the terminal, you can:

1. install and run programs;
2. customize distribution or configuration files;
3. add new program repositories;
4. and many other things that this Linux review will cover.

Basic use of the terminal, as well as installation of programs

Run it. To start the program, just enter its name. Everything from simple timer programs to complex utilities can be activated in this way. You do not need to enter the full path for this (which is a strong difference from Windows). Let's take as an example the launch Firefox browser and immediately - the opening of the site. The latter must be placed in the arguments. Their types depend on the programs that are called. So, the desired command will look like this: firefox "address of the site we want to go to." Also, an important feature of the terminal is that there are a number of commands that are only designed to work with it. That is, they do not have a graphical interface. And now it's time to talk about Of course, there are graphics applications that can help with this task. So, launch the terminal and enter the following: sudo apt-get install package_name. Easy, right? The word sudo is used here to get administrator rights to install a program. With apt-get, the desired options for the application are read. And install directly installs the program. Moreover, the peculiarity is that you can work with several applications at the same time - for this you only need to separate them with a space.

The name and purpose of installation packages can be easily guessed without using various tools. But if this is not possible - press Tab. When changing distributions, it is not necessary to do everything all over again - just export the names of the packages used to text file to later import its contents. Here is such a simple Linux-instruction is necessary for the initial operation.

Working with files and directories

There is a nuance here that will help you quickly understand the features of the functioning of the operating system. So, the work always takes place in the current directory. To do something elsewhere, it must first be specified. There is such a command - nano. Used to open a text editor. If you type nano "document name", a file will be created in the current directory with given name. And what to do when it needs to be done in another folder? We write the command in this way: nano /home/rabota/documents/”Document name”. If the specified directive does not contain a file with the required name and extension, a new one will be created and opened. And if you need to move from one folder to another? The cd command is used for this. It can be specified by itself - with /, ~ or with a directive. The first three commands will be moved to the root directory. Use ls to list the files in the current directory. To create a new directory, use mkdir "Name or path". The rm command is used to remove files. After it, it is necessary to indicate the name of the document or the directive for its placement.

To copy files, you must use the command cf "Document Name" - "Path". Keep in mind that it must be applied in the directory where the transferred object is located. mv works in the same way, but it is already moving the file. So, it is necessary to specify as follows: mv "Directory where the document is located" - "The path where the object is moved." From the outside it may look a little complicated, but with a little practice you'll be convinced that it's only on the surface. Now you can basicly configure Linux to meet your needs.

Working with the system

Use Tab. This is extremely useful key. Yes, it can help with autocomplete. This works for packages, files and folders. If there are several options, the system will prompt you to select one of them. Also remember that Linux will be your responsibility. Although you can use the provided assemblies if you don’t want to build your own brick by brick (although this is one of the features of the system). But just in case, know that this is a simple matter, and in most cases the implementation of this action will not be difficult. You can also use any of the graphical interfaces that are freely available for work (although the easiest way to manage is the command line).

Linux installation

What if there is a desire to use this operating system? Then you need to know how to install and how to run Linux. Initially, choose the distribution kit that you will have. Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS and many others are popular. We pay attention to the presented operating systems, although the final choice is yours. To do this, you will need to acquire an ISO image and burn it to disk. It is advisable to download the file from the official assembly site. Then you need to select the number of system bits. The 32 version has fewer compatibility issues and works better with drivers. But its counterpart at 62 has better performance. True, they will also bring troubles that you will have to deal with. Before you start, get a backup of all important data. Do not think that the system can spoil something for you. It's just that in most cases, the users themselves, out of ignorance or in a panic, delete important information. So, you have a disk with a system image. Before reinstalling, set the basic I/O system to work with Now you can reboot.

The Ubuntu installation will be considered as an example. This is a popular operating system, and finding recommendations for working with it is not difficult. So, the screen will initially load, where you will need to select "Install Ubuntu". Initially, you will need to select the Linux language. Determine your time zone. Then set up the keyboard. The next step is to prepare the disk space. At this stage, the solution of this issue can be shifted to the operating system, or everything can be determined manually. The latter option is suitable for advanced users who know what a data sector is and how a computer works in general. Moreover, the level of awareness should be very high.

After the disk space issues are exhausted, you will be prompted to name this computer, as well as create an administrator. It will be necessary to remember what was indicated here, otherwise the operation of the machine in the future without reinstallation or reset will be almost impossible. By the way, the password and username will be needed not only to log into the system. After that, you will see the window of the wizard for transferring settings from other operating systems. If there are none, then the step will be skipped. Otherwise, the operating system will offer to transfer files, as well as settings that were in user accounts. And in the end, a window should appear in which the user's choice will be displayed. Check if everything is the way you want. If there are no complaints, then click on the "Install" button, and the process will start. Depending on the configuration of the computer on which all these actions are performed, the speed of replacing operating systems varies. When all the necessary actions are completed, you will be prompted to press the "Enter" button.

Launching Linux

The first time you turn it on, you will be greeted by the bootloader. In this case, the launch of Linux will depend on the presence of foreign operating systems. If it is alone, then Linux itself will boot. If not, then you have three options:

1. If you select the first one, the operating system will boot in ten seconds.
2. The second option is an analogue of Windows Safe Mode.
3. Testing random access memory.

Also, depending on the number of installed OSes, options for launching them will be added, and not just booting the Linux system. After activating Linux, you can start customizing its design, start using additional applications - in general, do everything so that the operating system is as customized as possible for you. there are a huge variety, and you can choose what you like. Some problems may only arise when using games and calculation applications (AutoCAD and similar).

Removing and restoring Linux

The same Ubuntu will be used as an example. It doesn't matter why you wondered "how to uninstall Linux" - you didn't like the system or thought it was difficult. The main thing is how to do it. Let's consider two options. In the first, let's say you have a fallback in as Windows. In the second, we will assume that you do not have another operating system:

1. Put the installation disk in the drive. Boot from it by changing the priority in the basic input / output system. Open command line. This can be done through the installation disk menu. Then select the "System Fix" option. In English, it looks like Repair your computer. Correcting the entry about system boot. To do this, enter the bootrec /fixmbr command. And at startup, you will no longer see the operating system selection screen when you turn on the computer, and Windows will always boot. All is ready. Now, for the changes to take effect, restart the machine. If you want to completely get rid of Ubuntu, then you need to do two more steps. First, open the disk management menu. In the window that opens, you will need to right-click on the partition with the operating system and select the command to delete it. That's it, she's no more. Now right-click on the Windows partition and select Extend Partition. Free space must be added to it. But, remember, this can only be done if there is a spare operating system.
2. Now imagine that you only have one Ubuntu. Then you will need a disk with the desired operating system (Windows will be taken as an example). Insert it into the optical drive. Then it will be necessary to delete the partition in which there is "Linux". After that, continue with the installation. If this is not done, then you will not be able to use the computer. And then you have to create an operating system on a flash drive somewhere and carry out the necessary actions from it.

"Linux": so the same and different

Let's talk about what analogues of Linux exist, and give them a brief description. Only the most popular distributions will be considered:

1. Ubuntu. Focused on ease of learning and use.
2. openSUSE. Convenient distribution kit during setup and maintenance.
3. Fedora. One of the most popular options that has won love due to its versatility.
4. Debian. This distribution has served as the basis for many others. An extensive community of developers is working on its creation. Has a strict approach to using non-free software.
5. Slackware. One of the oldest distributions. Has a conservative approach regarding development and use.
6. Gentoo. A very flexible distribution. Compiled from source codes. The end result can be high performance and flexible execution of tasks. Aimed at advanced users and computer technology experts.
7. archlinux. A distribution that focuses on using the latest versions of software. Constantly updated. Suitable for those who want to have all the benefits and modifications, but do not want to waste their time.

In addition to all of these listed options, there are many other distributions. They can be based on those indicated above or created from scratch. In the second variant, they are usually created to perform a limited range of tasks. Each distribution has its own concept, set of packages, advantages and disadvantages. None of them can claim to satisfy all users. Therefore, along with the leaders, other implementations successfully exist, created by associations of programmers and firms. So, there are many developments that can function from a CD, and you do not need to install the system on the computer itself. If there are no specific goals, then any distribution can be used. If you want to assemble the necessary components yourself, I recommend paying attention to Gentoo, CRUX or LFS.

What do people who use Linux tell us?

In general, you can research the reviews yourself. But in the article a certain “compilation” of them was carried out for those who do not have the desire or time to search and read various texts. About Linux reviews are mostly positive. As positive features, they call a small amount of RAM that needs to be allocated for the operation of the operating system itself. She also earned respect among those people who need to focus on work, but they are constantly distracted by games. Not least, this is due to the fact that relatively few entertainment programs have been released for Linux. Of course, you can use the services of operating system emulators, but this always requires a lot of time and resources. Therefore, for lazy people, this is a good option. Linux is very popular among representatives of the sector information technologies. Last but not least, this is due to the presence of various various tools. Programmers and technicians speak positively of this system due to its versatility and ease of doing the necessary activities. As negative traits, they usually cite the need to have significant knowledge in computers, be able to work using the scientific poke method, and a visual difference from Windows. These are the opinions you can find about Linux. The operating system is indeed significantly different from the usual interface of most personal computers, but there is an opinion that this is more an advantage than a disadvantage.

Conclusion

This is the end of the description of Linux. The review presented many different aspects. You learned, Studied and programs for Linux: what are the features in their work, how to install and run directly the operating system itself. Various commands have also been provided with which to perform the basic range of user operations. It remains to be hoped that information about Linux - what it is and what it is eaten with - will be useful to you in practice.

Oh, how interesting it is to find out the details and details of something already ordinary, which you don’t pay attention to as a matter of course. But once upon a time it wasn't. When is someone started to create and invent!

Here is an interesting story , but under the cut you will find a lot of text :-)

Taking a closer look at the past, we will see that the place of the dominant OS on the market could well be taken by UNIX, moreover, by the same Microsoft corporation. However, due to a number of circumstances, events developed according to a different scenario: CP/M -> QDOS -> 86-DOS -> MS-DOS -> Windows.

The "genealogical" line of Linux looks different: Multics -> UNIX -> Minix -> Linux. It is unlikely that many people know that the current dominance of Windows is largely “to blame” for a secret IBM project code-named Chess - a project to create based on Intel processor 8086 personal computer IBM PC, tentatively titled Acorn.

The historic contract between IBM and Microsoft was signed on November 6, 1980. In accordance with it, for the first industrial 16-bit PC, Microsoft had to prepare an operating system and four programming systems (Basic, Fortran, Cobol and Pascal) as soon as possible.

Why was Microsoft chosen? The main impetus for the leadership of IBM was the impressive volume of sales by Microsoft of programming systems, moreover, designed for a very wide range of platforms. By 1979, about 1 million copies of Microsoft's BASIC alone had been sold. Oddly enough, both IBM and Microsoft considered the operating system for the new computer as something of a secondary nature, relegating it to a supporting role. Everything was done in a terrible hurry. To understand how Microsoft was bluffing in the fall of 1980, promising IBM to prepare the first version of its DOS with a working BASIC interpreter by January 1981 (!) suffice it to say that Microsoft had no experience writing OS at that time. In February 1980, Microsoft, as part of the fight against Digital Research for the programming language market, just in case, acquired a UNIX license from AT & T Corporation (subsequently, the dialect of UNIX OS created by Microsoft was called Xenix). But there were practically no developments for UNIX either - the CP / M OS was then the base platform for Microsoft products.

If we compare Windows and UNIX in terms of development, then Windows was built as a commercial product, created in conditions of severe time pressure and market bluff, while UNIX grew up in a calm environment, in the silence of university and research centers. The commercialization of the project had a far less favorable effect on UNIX, while Microsoft wasted no time and directed all the potential of its specialists to improve the quality of the Windows implementation. Be that as it may, the development of both OS went on different paths.

Birth of Linux

Linus Benedikt Torvalds was born in Helsinki in 1970. At the age of 10, he began to get involved in programming, actively working on his home computer Commodore VIC-20. In 1989, just as Linus was preparing to attend university, at the Usenix Association conference in Toronto, AT&T announced new system prices for UNIX System V: about $40,000 per processor ($7,500 for educational institutions). It was very big money. University of Amsterdam professor Andrew Tanenbaum responded by writing Minix, a truncated version of UNIX that could run on a PC.

In the spring of 1991, while already a student at the University of Helsinki, Linus Torvalds set about rewriting Minix, rewriting the kernel and adapting it to run on the i386. He decided to figure out how the OS works by simply rewriting it. Here is the title of the historic post that started the era of Linux. ——- Begin post from Linus ——— From: [email protected](Linus Benedict Torvalds) Newsgroups: comp.os.minix Subject: What would you like to see most in minix? Summary: small poll for my new operating system Message-ID: Date: 25 Aug 91 20:57:08 GMT Organization: University of Helsinki The message began with the words: “Hi everyone who uses Minix! I'm making a (free) operating system for AT clones based on 386 (486) processors. It's just a hobby, not something big and professional like GNU." Linus then urged everyone who likes it or not to respond to his work. ( Full text see)

In January-February 1992, an open discussion about the shortcomings of Linux between Tanenbaum and Torvalds began on the comp.os.minix teleconference. Professor Tanenbaum considered Linux to be an outdated approach, primarily due to Linus's move away from the microkernel in favor of the monokernel. “This is a huge step backwards,” Tanenbaum wrote. "It's like taking a working C program and rewriting it in BASIC." Linus agreed that the microkernel − good decision, but insisted on its own: the monokernel, having greater efficiency, does not cause serious damage to portability.

The progenitor of UNIX, the legendary Ken Thompson, spoke more harshly in 1998: “I view Linux as something that does not belong to Microsoft. This is a retaliatory blow to the Microsoft team - no more, no less. I don't think it will be a big success. I saw the source texts, there are both quite decent components and bad ones. Since the most diverse, random people took part in the creation of these texts, the quality of its individual parts differs significantly. From my own experience and the experience of some of my friends, I can say that Linux is a rather unreliable system. Microsoft releases not very reliable software products, but Linux is the worst of such systems. This Wednesday won't last long.

If you use it on one computer, it's one thing. Software for using Linux in firewalls, gateways, embedded systems and so on still needs a lot of work.” So not the technological excellence of the project, but the very atmosphere of the work of enthusiasts on a useful project and free distribution and use of source codes became the basis of the Linux phenomenon. In 1998, the authoritative American Forbes magazine under the heading "Icons of the Net" ("Legends of the Net") published the names of the most influential people who have made a huge contribution to the development of the Internet:

Linus Torvalds (28) is the creator of Linux.

Richard Stallman (45) is the founder of the Free Software Foundation.

Tim Berners-Lee (43) is a developer of the World Wide Web.

Rob Glaser (36) is the founder of RealNetworks.

Jerry Yang (29) is the founder of Yahoo! The first place was given to Torvalds not by chance. The flaws did not stop Linux from radically changing the state of affairs in the software industry. Thanks to its availability in tandem with the Apache server, this OS has occupied the entire Internet. The statistics speak for themselves. According to a Netcraft report (www.netcraft.com/survey/) in November 2000, Apache's share of all Web servers is 59.69%. Next come Microsoft Internet Information Server - 20.08% and Netscape Enterprise - 6.74%.

Now Torvalds is working at Transmeta on an ambitious project, until recently classified. Its important elements are the release of the OS and the VLIW processor, codenamed Crusoe, capable of executing x86 commands and designed for embedded systems. It's funny that one of the owners of Transmeta is none other than Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates. Linux standardization and distributions Linus Torvalds did not develop the OS itself, but only its kernel, connecting existing components created within the GNU project, and above all the emacs editor and the gcc compiler. Third-party companies, seeing good prospects for the development of their business, soon began to saturate the OS with utilities and application software. Among them are Red Hat Linux 6.2, Debian's GNU/Linux 2.2, Linux-Mandrake 7.0, SuSE Linux 6.4, TurboLinux 6.0, Caldera's OpenLinux 2.4, Conectiva Linux 5.1, Corel Linux OS Second Edition.

The disadvantage of such "packaged meals" is the lack of a unified and well-thought-out installation procedure for the system, and this is still one of the main deterrents for the wider distribution of Linux. In addition, developers of applied "boxed" software have to test their programs for several popular distributions at once, which significantly complicates life. Standardization is always a painful process, and if it is carried out in a community of "free artists", it is all the more difficult. But the first steps have already been taken. In October 2000, the Free Standards Group's Linux Development Platform Specification was published, and it immediately drew polarized opinions. By the way, the head of the standardization group, David Quinlan, like Torvalds, works at Transmeta. Attitude towards Linux of large corporations Such giants as IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Oracle and a number of other major players in the computer market, in the past two years, have noticeably stepped up their support for Linux. In 2001, IBM plans to invest $1 billion in the development of Linux. What is the reason for such an unusual generosity of corporations that have decided to release, mostly free of charge, serious commercial products for "amateur" Linux? Why are they willing to spend effort and money to develop an alternative and far from the most technologically advanced branch of UNIX to the detriment of their own dialects: AIX, HP-UX, Solaris, etc.?

The first thing that comes to mind is the desire to use Linux as a battering ram capable of breaching the gates of Microsoft's heavily fortified realm. It's obvious, but is that the only thing? Another reason may be the emerging trend in the development of a very profitable field of training and consulting. The complexity of technologies is increasing, and with it the gap between the quality of the products offered and the level of consumer demands is growing. Customers must be prepared to pay a lot of money for an intelligent service. Another possible reason is the cost-effective implementation of large-scale projects, in which the inevitable costs of purchasing equipment and applications could be offset by the low cost of system software.

In a recent interview with VARBusiness magazine (November 2000), IBM President Sam Palmisano emphasized IBM's position on Linux development: also cooperation with the community supporting the idea open texts, will be fruitful for both IBM and the industry as a whole. This is especially noticeable for companies that provide turnkey solutions, which will see the potential that Linux holds.” One of IBM's last major moves was the Lawson project, which by March 2001 installed 15,200 Linux servers (a RedHat distribution) in a network of Japanese malls to run the IBM eServer xSeries.

At the end of 2000, Hewlett-Packard also joined IBM. Both giants intend to support the execution of Linux-applications in the environment of their UNIX dialects (we are talking primarily about IBM AIX and HP-UX, as well as IBM Dynix/ptx). Here is another answer to the question of why leading corporations need to support someone else's free dialect of UNIX, having their own commercial one. Two birds with one stone are killed at once - first, part of the clients is pulled from Windows to Linux, and then they are clearly shown how much the latter is inferior to the UNIX dialects developed by this giant. This technique can be called the distraction-entrainment effect. Linux is not alone Speaking of Linux, do not forget that this OS is not so unique and inimitable. There are no less interesting and thoughtful non-commercial operating systems, even if we talk only about the Intel platform and UNIX dialects. To name just a few: FreeBSD (FreeBSD Core Team based on BSD4.4-Lite), NetBSD (NetBSD Foundation, BSD4.4-Lite + Mach core), OpenBSD (Theo de Raadt, BSD4.4-Lite), 386BSD (BSD4. 3 Reno), Hurd (Free Software Foundation, BSD4.4 + Mach 4.0).

A New Programming Philosophy The Linux phenomenon has given rise to talk that a new programming philosophy has been born, fundamentally different from what it was before. Indeed, a product may be commercial or free, and its production process may be artisanal or industrial. It can be occupied by both singles and teams, amateurs and professionals. But in any case, consciously or unconsciously, they all follow the traditional stages of the life cycle. software product Keywords: requirements analysis, specification development, design, prototyping, source code writing, debugging, documentation, testing and maintenance. The main thing that distinguishes this approach is the centralization of management of different stages and predominantly “top-down” development (constant detailing). However, Linux was created differently. The finished working layout was constantly improved and developed by a decentralized group of enthusiasts, whose actions were only slightly coordinated.

There is an anarchic character and "ascending" development: the assembly of ever larger blocks from previously created small ones. There is something else to note here. Traditional development is based on design and writing texts, while development a la Linux is based on prototyping, debugging and testing. The first two stages are difficult to parallelize, but debugging and testing are easier. Two years ago, in an interview with Computer magazine, UNIX creator Ken Thompson declared that he was a supporter of "bottom-up" programming: When I come across a "top-down" description of a system or language that contains endless libraries that describe one level after another, I get the feeling of some kind of quagmire. Thompson even coined an interesting term: "computer Darwinism". In other words, development a la Linux is a trial and error method built on intensive testing. At any stage, the system should work, even if it is a mini version of what the developer is striving for. Natural selection leaves only the viable.

Whether programming is a science, an art, or a craft has long been debated. And if traditional software development is based primarily on craft, then development by the method of computer Darwinism is undoubtedly art. It is easy to see that "bottom-up" development characterizes the so-called exploratory programming, when the system is built around key components and programs that are created in the early stages of the project, and then constantly modified. In late 1999, O'Reilly & Associates published Eric Raymond's sensational book The Cathedral and the Bazaar. Its author is the main ideologist of the open text movement. In the book, he outlines the idea of ​​self-organizing anarchic programming, which he called the "bazaar", as opposed to the traditional centralized one, which was called the "cathedral". Using the example of Linux and other similar developments of originally non-commercial software, originating in the GNU project, Raymond tries to comprehend the nature of a new phenomenon, called the open source movement, together with the reader. The lack of a clear plan, minimal project management, a large number of third-party geographically remote developers, the free exchange of ideas and codes are all attributes of new programming. Often the “new” turns out to be a well-forgotten old one. All this (albeit not on such a scale) has long been used in programming. However, the Linux phenomenon gave rise to a new faith, helping to recruit an increasing number of adherents. Many articles have been written about the features of exploratory programming. Thus, the Swiss professors A.Kieralf, K.Chen and J.Nivergelt identified the following important points: * the developer clearly represents the direction of the search, but does not know in advance how far he can move towards the goal; * it is not possible to foresee the amount of resources to achieve a particular result; * development is not amenable to detailed planning, it is carried out by trial and error; * such works are associated with specific performers and reflect their personal qualities. The main advantage of the new philosophy is the organization of remote collaboration of large teams of third-party programmers on important projects, where the key role is played by the Internet and the right to freely dispose of a joint product.

It is impossible not to say in this regard about the rapidly growing company VA Linux. She maintains an online open source repository called SourceForge(). It already has several hundred projects related primarily to the development of Linux. Among them are the Berlin Project (graphics system) and the new generation of the Perl programming language. In addition to Linux, the SourceForge repository tracks projects for Windows, Mac OS, BeOS, PalmOS. One of VA Linux's own projects is the MySQL DBMS, which has received the status of free software distributed under the GPL license (General Public License, www.fsf.org/copyleft/gpl.html). VA Linux is not alone in promoting the idea of ​​collaborative programming. Its competitors here are OpenAvenue and Asynchrony. Returning to Raymond's book, one might say that the metaphors of "cathedral" and "bazaar" may not have been well chosen. But is it a matter of metaphors?

Regardless of the skepticism of Linux critics and the unbridled euphoria of its fans, this operating system became a significant milestone of the late 1990s, setting the direction of the industry at the beginning of the new century. Is it possible to replicate the success of Linux, and where does a new technological leap of this magnitude lie? Here is what Ken Thompson says about it: “Any innovation will become a reality only through revolutions of the kind that UNIX has made. Nothing threatened IBM until something came along that rendered its systems unusable. They completely occupied the mainframe market, but I'm sure it just turned out to be unnecessary. The same thing is happening with Microsoft: until something comes along that can make its products unnecessary, it will be extremely difficult to overcome the price threshold for entry into the market and it will be impossible to displace them.

Well, in pursuit, 22 reasons to switch to Linux. Controversial reasons? Surely...

1. The first reason, it is the main one. Being a free system, Linux is available to users for free. "Axis" can be easily downloaded from the Internet or ordered a disc or box by mail at a very trivial price. One copy of the operating system can be installed on an unlimited number of computers without any conditions.

2. Since the Linux code is open, the system can be freely modified and distributed even on a commercial basis. The ability to freely experiment with the source code of the operating system, based only on their own goals, has made Linux such a useful and effective solution for a number of large companies such as Google.

3. There are no particular problems with technical support for Linux users either, since the answer to your question about the operation of the OS can be freely obtained on forums or network conferences. Many users claim that such technical support is no worse than what you can get for money. Of course, there are also paid Linux technical support. Such services include careful system tuning, installation and upgrade of new programs in order to protect against hackers, fix bugs. Fortunately, the latter are rare in Linux.

4. There is almost no chance that technical support for Linux will ever stop, because open source attracts a huge number of users: many of them will gladly help their “copingguiners” solve the problems that have arisen. In addition, there will always be people who will help with advice professionally, i.e. for money.

5. Do not be afraid that Linux will become obsolete in the future. The fact is that UNIX, on which the OS was built, has been tested and optimized for 35 years, proving extreme efficiency, reliability and security. Work on Linux does not stop for a second, and new versions of the operating system, as they say, "keep the mark."

6. Users of "Linux" are not subjected to totalitarian pressure from the owner of the operating system, because it - this owner itself - does not exist. Microsoft's actions can be cited as an opposite example: the company deliberately stops supporting older versions of the OS, thereby forcing users to buy new ones (sometimes it happens that you have to buy new hardware due to an unplanned OS update). In addition, new versions of Linux are also distributed absolutely free of charge.

7. Everything related to the transition to a new version of the OS will cost the user mere pennies. The new version itself is free - this time. Second, tutorials, installation, etc. are inexpensive. Thirdly, Linux is not too demanding on the power of the computer, so a hardware upgrade - if it is required at all - will also not pull out a lot of money from the budget.

8. Companies with hundreds of thousands of computers, having switched to Linux, remember like a nightmare what it is like to monitor the compliance of the license of each of the software components on each machine. Indeed, in order to check this very compliance of the software license for all points of the EULA (End-User License Agreement - end user license agreement), you need to have full-time staff and, oddly enough, pay them money for this. In addition, these companies are no longer afraid of sudden "raids" of BSA employees (Business Software Alliance - Alliance of software manufacturers for commercial organizations; created in 1988 by Microsoft), who must check the license for MS Windows, MS Office, etc. . Finding the slightest inconsistencies - and they will find them - imposing fines.

9. Linux has long been famous for being unaffected by viruses, trojans, worms, spyware, and other malware. The secret of developers' success lies in the fact that they initially focused their efforts on the security of the system, and did not think about it when real problems appeared. Here, for example, is one of the original methods of protection: a Linux user is not authorized in the system as an administrator, thereby protecting vital system files even in the event of an intruder. In addition, the most popular versions of Linux come with a built-in firewall that has proven to be very efficient all this time. Finally, the theme of open code that does not exhaust itself again plays into our hands: thousands of people around the globe are busy searching for OS vulnerabilities, and there are absolutely no problems with patches.

10. In the work of "Linux" there are almost never fatal crashes, after which you have to restart the computer. If you remember about large companies, then here they are an absolute winner, because just a couple of minutes of inactivity of the entire connected system can result in huge losses. It’s not difficult to guess the reason again: from the very beginning, the developers tried to make the OS work as stable and convenient as possible, and it’s safe to say that they achieved their goal.

11. So far, Linux cannot compete with Windows in terms of the number of created and well-established programs. However, a lot of people are busy correcting the situation. In the future, programs for a variety of needs will appear more and more. Not only are most programs for Linux distributed free of charge, but in terms of functionality, reliability and power, some of them are not inferior to their counterparts in the Windows environment. It’s worth getting rid of the stereotype, they say, “you won’t find anything under Linux!”.

However, it is necessary to make a remark: people who are professionally involved in working with music, photos or videos are unlikely to switch from Mac OS or Windows to something else, at least not yet.

12. The choice among Linux distributions is impressive - several hundred versions, and each is endowed with its own specific characteristics. All systems are compatible with each other. All this allows the user to choose the version that suits him best. In addition, if one of the Linux vendors leaves the game, then this will not bring tangible damage to the distribution of the operating system - in addition to it, there are still many vendors. It is impossible not to point out the fact that such a situation creates healthy competition, which is reflected in the improvement of quality and productivity. Of course, for many, choosing the right distribution kit from several hundred will be difficult. In this case, choosing one of the most popular versions, like Red Hat or SuSE, you will not lose.

13. As another feature of Linux, it should be noted the possibility of very fine tuning. Contrary to popular belief, setting up Linux for yourself will not cause any problems for a more or less experienced user. During installation, you can specify a variety of options that will help you choose the configuration that is right for you. Whether it is a computer exclusively for work, a media center, a laptop, a web server, a server for data storage or even a network router. From the inquisitive user, the settings for the appearance of the operating system, which can be configured in thousands of variations, are not hidden. Do you dream of an Apple Mac or are you still nostalgic for Windows? In Linux, all this can be recreated visually. All this thanks to open source, which provides the user with truly limitless possibilities.

14. In Linux, as in all other free software, the format of the files used is open. Unlike closed format files, they comply with generally accepted standards and can be used by any software developer to create programs compatible with them. Through the use of open formats, the problem of software isolation is solved, when files have a closed extension and can only be used by certain software. In addition, the user no longer has to worry that valuable data may be lost if the developers who created the software suddenly go out of business or stop supporting their early products.

15. Linux is famous for its excellent compatibility with other operating systems. For example, "Pinvgin" can easily read, write, copy, erase and perform other actions with files that are located on partitions hard drive where Windows is installed. In addition, on Linux, you can use Windows clients and even work directly with programs tailored mainly for Microsoft's OS. And Windows is not only unable to work with HDD partitions on which other operating systems are recorded, but also cannot format these drives for the subsequent installation of another axis. By the way, Linux can boot just like a Live-CD - i.e. installation, in fact, does not require any.

16. If it has any bearing on your choice, there has not yet been a single case in the US where antitrust lawsuits have been filed in Federal Court against "perfidious" use of Linux. On the contrary, the antimonopoly agreement was created to regulate the activities and completely destroy economic monopolies for the sake of free competition in the market. Linux, as we have already understood, is not a monopoly at all, because it is not imposed on anyone: everything is of their own free will

17. When using Linux, you will no longer need a major hardware upgrade if you decide to install a more recent version. Even on older computers, thanks to very well-written code, Linux will work without any hesitation.

18. Linux scales well and can run on systems other than Intel or, say, AMD. It can be installed on almost everything electronic devices, starting from supercomputers and robots, ending with medical equipment, mobile phones and even wristwatches.

19. For technical universities, Linux is becoming a real find. The openness of the code provides a huge opportunity to study the structure of the computer, and not just how to work with it. Indeed, many educators believe that it is much more useful for students to learn the basics of computing, which will serve to create ever more advanced computers in the future, rather than practicing in programs such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft PowerPoint, which change with each new version, but after several years become obsolete.

20. For government agencies, Linux, like other free software, provides the so-called. software transparency, since information in Linux is stored in open formats that comply with generally accepted standards. In contrast to this, there are correspondingly proprietary formats used by many commercial programs. In general, such transparency of the software indicates that the company has no hidden data, and absolutely all users have access to all information and they do not need to use expensive programs that can understand the required formats.

21. There is an opinion that in many paid programs there are certain “holes” through which hackers from a rival company or even a government organization can get hold of valuable data. Now, it probably won't be loudly said that Linux is a real headache for hackers, because getting into the system through loopholes is almost impossible due to the fact that the source code of the system is completely available for scanning in case of hacking.

22. Linux, unlike Windows, does not require disk defragmentation. Although this process is not so complicated and costly to perform, since it does not need to be done very often, but the fact is that for a well-functioning operating system, like Linux, defragmentation is not needed.

So we have listed all the declared 22 reasons why you should change your operating system. The choice is always yours, but whether Linux leaves it to you is another matter ;)

I would also suggest that you remember what was