What is Linux? all the information

The main programs responsible for interacting with the kernel were created by the GNU Foundation. For this reason it is more correct to refer to the operating system as GNU / Linux instead of Linux.

A distribution is nothing more than the set of kernel, system programs, and applications gathered on a single CD-ROM (or any other type of media). Today we have thousands of applications for the GNU / Linux platform, where each company responsible for a distro chooses the applications that must be included in it.

The GNU project

Many know and report the penguin operating system only as Linux, but the correct term is GNU / Linux. In simpler words, Linux is just the core of the operating system, but it depends on a number of tools to work with, starting with the program used to compile the source code. These tools are provided by the GNU project, created by Richard Stallman.

In other words, the Linux operating system is the union of Linux with GNU tools, so the correct term is GNU / Linux.

GNU / Linux and Windows

The biggest difference between Linux and Windows is the fact that the former is an open source system, developed by volunteer programmers spread across the internet and distributed under the GPL public license. While Windows is proprietary software, it doesn't have the source code available and you have to purchase a license to have the right to use it.

You don't have to pay anything to use Linux, nor is it a crime to make copies to install it on other computers. The advantage of an open source system is that it is flexible to the needs of the user, which makes its adaptations and corrections much faster. Remember that in your favor you have thousands of programmers from all over the world thinking only of making Linux an increasingly better system.

The open source system allows anyone to see how it works, correct any problems or make suggestions for improvement. This is one of the reasons for its rapid growth, as well as compatibility with new hardware, not to mention its high performance and stability.

GNU / Linux distributions

Linux has several models, and these are called distributions. A distribution is nothing more than a core and programs handpicked by the team that develops it. Each distribution has its particularities, such as how to install a package (or software), the installation interface of the operating system itself, the graphical interface and hardware support. Then it is up to the user to define which distribution best suits their needs.

GNU / Linux and its graphical interface

The X-Window system (without “s”), also called X, provides the graphical environment for the operating system. Unlike OSX (Macintosh) and Windows, X makes the window manager (the visual interface itself) a separate process. Actually, the advantage of separating the window manager is that you can choose between a great variety of existing managers for Linux and the one that suits you best, such as Gnome, KDE and XFCE, among others.

The GNU / Linux story

The Linux system originates from Unix, a multi-tasking, multi-user operating system that has the advantage of operating on a wide variety of computers.

Linux emerged in a very interesting way. It all started in 1991, when a 21-year-old Finnish programmer, Linus Benedict Torvalds, sent the following message to an online discussion list: “ Hello to everyone who is using Minix. I am making a free operating system (as a hobby) for 386, 486, AT and clones ."

Minix was a limited Unix-based operating system that worked on Machiavellian computers like AT. Linus intended to develop an improved version of Minix, and he hardly knew at the time that his supposed "contest" would end in an ingeniously magnificent system. Many renowned academics were interested in the idea of Linus and from there, programmers from the most varied parts of the world began to work towards this project. Every improvement developed by a programmer was distributed over the internet and immediately integrated into the Linux kernel.

Over the years, this hard volunteer work by hundreds of dreamers has grown into a well-matured operating system and is exploiting today in the business server and PC market. Linus, who today coordinates a team of core developers his system was chosen in a public survey as the 1998 person of the year in the computer world.

Where to start learning GNU / Linux

If you are starting your life in Linux, you may feel the need for help on seemingly simple points. This article will help you to be more comfortable in this wonderful environment.

How to get GNU / Linux

Once the distribution to be used has been chosen, the next step is to download an ISO image to record the installation on your computer. It is highly recommended to opt for a popular, proven distribution where you find abundant documentation on the internet in case you need help. Here is a list of the most popular Linux distributions.

Ubuntu

This Linux distribution is one of the most used currently and this is due to the fact that it cares about the end user (desktop). Originally based on Debian, it differs from focusing on the desktop, in its way of publishing new versions, which are published every six months.

Opensuse

OpenSUSE is the free version of the wonderful Novell SuSE operating system. In addition to behaving very stable and robust as a server, it is also very powerful for the desktop version.

Its differential is the famous YaST (Yeah Another Setup Tool), a software that centralizes the entire installation, configuration and customization process of the Linux system. We can say that this is what SuSE stands out most, since it can be compared to the Windows control panel.

YaST is perhaps the most powerful management tool for the Linux environment. It is an open source project sponsored by Novell and actively under development.

YaST development started in January 1995. It was written in C ++ with a GUI ncurses by Thoamas Fehr (one of the founders of SuSE) and Michael Andres.

YaST is the installation and configuration tool for openSUSE, SUSE Linux Enterprise and the old SuSE Linux. It has an attractive graphical interface capable of quickly customizing your system during and after installation, and can also be used in text mode

YaST can be used to configure the entire system, such as configuring peripherals such as video card, sound card, network, configure system services, firewall, users, repositories, languages, install and remove software, etc.

Debian

Debian is one of the oldest and most popular distributions. It served as the basis for the creation of several other popular distributions, such as Ubuntu and Kurumin. As its most outstanding characteristics we can mention:

.DebApt-get packaging system, which is a more practical installed package management system among the existing ones (if not the most) Its stable version is exhaustively tested, which makes it ideal for the firewall and stability It has one of the largest repositories of distribution packages (pre-compiled programs available to install)

Slackware

Slackware, alongside Debian and Red Hat, is one of the "parent" distributions of all the others. Conceived by Patrick Volkerding, Slack (nickname adopted by the user community) has clarity, simplicity, stability and security as its main characteristics.

Although it is considered by many to be a difficult distribution to use, aimed at expert users or hackers, it has a simple package management system, as well as its installation interface, which is one of the few that continues in text mode, but not for that It becomes difficult.

If you're looking for a server-oriented distribution, want to deepen your Linux knowledge, or are looking for a desktop with no useless details, Slack is for you.

Slackware was created by Patrick Volkerding in 1993 (some sources say 1992). It is based on the SLS (Softlanding Linux System) distribution and was supplied in the form of images on 3.5-inch diskettes.

It is the oldest and still active distribution. Until 1995 it was considered the default Linux, but its popularity has decreased long after the emergence of friendlier distributions. Also, the distribution remains a highly appreciated and respected distribution, because it has not changed its philosophy, remains true to UNIX standards, and is comprised of only stable applications.

In 1999 the Slackware version jumped from 4.0 to 7.0. A marketing move to show that the distribution was as up-to-date as the other distributions. It happens that many of the distributions had very high versions, and this could give the impression that Slackware was outdated. The delay in releasing new versions of Slackware also contributed to this.

In 2004 Patrick Volkerding was seriously ill with an infection and the development of Slackware became uncertain. Many thought that he was going to die. But it improved and development resumed.

In 2005, the GNOME graphics environment was removed from the Slackware project, which disliked many users. Patrick's justification was that it took a long time to package the binary files. However, many communities developed GNOME projects for Slackware. Some examples of projects are: Gnome Slackbuild, Gnome Slacky and Dropline Gnome. Therefore, high-quality Gnome is what is not missing from the distribution, despite not being a native environment.

In 2007 version 12.0 of Slackware was released, an innovative version that in a way caused some controversy. It was the first version of Slackware to go a bit against its own philosophy. Firstly, because it happened to mount devices automatically, secondly, because some old packages were no longer compatible with the new version due to the new GCC 4.1.2. and lastly, because the first version came with the latest version of the Kernel.

It should also be noted that version 12.0 worked with Compiz installed, but due to a lack of graphical configuration tools, many users did not know how to use it.

Fedora

Fedora is one of the most popular and stable distributions that exists today. This was, in principle, a fork for the community, released and maintained by the giant Red Hat, which at the time was shutting down its system and concentrating on the corporate market.

This means that, from the beginning, Fedora already had the latest in software technology, as well as one of the most competent and dedicated teams in its development. If you are looking for a distribution with powers to be a stable server, but with the facilities of graphical configuration tools, or if you simply want a more robust desktop, Fedora will be your best choice.

It has a rapid development cycle. Every six months, on average, a new Fedora is released by the Fedora Project for the community. The community itself is one of the busiest on the internet, and Fedora is very helpful online, even without offering direct Red Hat technical support.

Package management is done intelligently and automatically with the help of YUM, which is responsible for updates and resolves dependencies of all packages, downloading what is necessary for the system from the repositories and installation management. All kinds of applications are available for Fedora, from powerful office suites like OpenOffice.org to video and audio players (MPlayer and Amarok) with the execution of almost all known formats and also a generous collection of games, all installable with a few simple clicks or a single command line.

CentOS

CentOS is an Enterprise class distribution derived from free source codes and distributed by Red Hat Enterprise Linux and maintained by the CentOS Project.

WE RECOMMEND YOU How to install Adobe Flash Player in Ubuntu easily

Version numbering is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux numbering. For example, CentOS 4 is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4. The basic difference between the two is the provision of paid assistance in purchasing a Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

CentOS offers great access to industry standard software, including full compatibility with software packages specifically tailored for Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems. This gives you the same level of security and support, through updates, as other Linux Enterprise solutions, but at no cost.

It supports both server environments for mission critical applications and workstation environments, and features a Live CD version.

CentOS has numerous advantages, including: a growing and active community, rapid development and testing of packages, an extensive network for downloads, accessible developers, multiple channels of support with Spanish support and commercial support through partners.

Linux Mint

The Linux Mint proposal is a desktop distribution with an elegant visual design, pleasant, comfortable to use and always updated.

The distribution was initially released as a variant of Ubuntu, which had the media codecs already in the installation. The evolution was fast, and today it is a complete and well-resolved distribution, with its own configuration tools, the web-based package installation application, custom menus, among other unique features, and always with a clean and elegant appearance.

The founder, leader and main developer of the distribution is named Clement Lefebvre, who started using Linux in 1996 (Slackware) and lives in Ireland.

Some of the reasons for Linux Mint's success listed on the project page are:

The speed with which the community responds to the demands of a request posted on the website's forum, and which can already be implemented in the update in less than a week, because it is derived from Debian, has all the solid base of packages and Debian package manager Supports Ubuntu repositories Has a desktop set up to make the common user feel comfortable Efforts to make resources such as multimedia support, video resolution, Wifi cards and cards and others work well

Except for Mandrake, this was the first distro to be successful with users for the following reasons: ease of program installation, automatic device installation and configuration, and the like.

Mint added these facilities and incorporated others, being considered a more polished Ubuntu, with an excellent selection of software, great performance and design.

GNU / Linux applications

GNU / Linux has an incomparable wealth of applications, offering more than one solution to certain needs. The biggest difficulty is in finding an application that suits your needs. There are countless applications for the same functions that have certain characteristics, among which are adapted or not to the user's taste, that's why we have so many varieties of applications available today.

The fact that almost 100% of applications are open source helps this list to grow more and more. Among other things, the applications allow to be modified according to the needs of the users.

GNU / Linux desktop applications

Openoffice.org

One of the most popular and complete office suites is OpenOffice.org. It is a suite of free and cross-platform office applications, being distributed for Microsoft Windows, Unix, Solaris, Linux and Mac OS X. The suite uses the ODF (OpenDocument) format and is compatible with the Microsoft Office format.

OpenOffice.org is based on an old version of StarOffice: StarOffice 5.1, purchased by Sun Microsystems in August 1999. The suite's source code was released, kicking off an open source software development project on October 13 2000, OpenOffice.org. The main objective was to provide a low cost, high quality and open source alternative. OpenOffice.org supports Microsoft Office file formats.

The design and software are commonly known as "OpenOffice" but, due to a trademark dispute, Sun was forced to change the name of the software, which was renamed "OpenOffice.org".

Abiword

If you prefer lighter software or don't use the advanced formatting functions that OpenOffice.org offers, perhaps the best solution is to use Abiword, a text editor as good and lighter than the previous one.

AbiWord is an open source word processor, therefore, a free software licensed under the GPL. It works on Linux, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, ReactOS, SkyOS and others platforms. AbiWord was originally created by the SourceGear Corporation with the AbiSuite component. SourceGear mobilized to financial interests and left the AbiWord project to a team of volunteers. The AbiWord software is now part of the GNOME Office, which is a set of integration applications.

The AbiWord interface is reminiscent of the pre-2007 Word interface.

The fact is that many users feel more comfortable in that interface than in the new "ribbon" of the Microsoft tool. AbiWord offers all the necessary resources for those who have simple text editing needs.

Gnumeric

Gnumeric is an open source spreadsheet software that is part of the Gnome desktop, and has installers available even for Windows. It was created with the intention of being an alternative to proprietary Microsoft Excel software. Gnumeric was created and developed by Miguel de Icaza, but since he was transferred to other projects, the current manager has become Jody Goldberg.

Gnumeric has the ability to import and export data in various formats, including CSV, Excel, HTML, LaTeX, Lotus 1-2-3, OpenDocument and Quattro Pro. Its native format is the Gnumeric file format (.gnm or.gnumeric), a bzip compressed XML file. It has all the Excel spreadsheet functions and many other functions of its own.

Finally we recommend reading our following articles:

Debian vs Ubuntu.

How to upgrade Ubuntu 14.04 LTs to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS. Ubuntu 16.04 Xenial Xerus Review. Analysis Elementary OS. Best commands for Linux. Quick guide to basic commands.