The Linux Story

The Linux Story

This paper will discuss three topics of the Linux operating system as I have experienced through study, use, and minor configuration. In the following paragraphs I will discuss what I have learned about the Linux operating system, how Linux differs from Windows, and what are good sources of Linux knowledge? The experiences presented in this paper should describe to the most novice of user the principle aspects of Linux as an operating system. These aspects can help determine the correct choice of system that may be required to meet particular applications for business information technology development. With new software requirements also comes the need for knowledge of the system for users, maintenance, and updates. The last chapter will discuss sources for knowledge development of new users to the Linux operating system.

Some of the key aspects I have learned about the Linux operating system are distributions, graphical user interface (GUI) and application software. Linux comes in many versions known as distributions in the Linux community. All distributions of Linux released at the same time will feature the same kernel (the guts of the operating system). Most distributions will differ in the add-on software provided, GUI, install process, price, documentation, and technical support. Linux is available in desktop and server additions. These distributions of Linux are also customizable in a way that other operating systems are not. For one, the user interface, while similar in concept, varies in detail from distribution to distribution. For example, the task bar may default to being on the top or the bottom. Also, there are many special purpose versions of Linux above and beyond the full blown distribution described above. For example, NASLite is a version of Linux that boots from a CD and converts an old computer into a file server. This ultra small edition of Linux is capable of networking, file sharing, and being a web server. Linux typically provides two GUIs, KDE and Gnome, but which Linux the GUI is optional. The speed, efficiency, and reliability are all increased by running a server instance of Linux without a GUI, the detached nature of the Linux GUI makes remote control and remote administration of the Linux computer simpler and more natural. Also, when you acquire a copy of Linux on a CD-ROM, its comes with gobs of free application software. The open source nature of Linux makes this possible, and allows modification where needed to fit the needs of the server or computer Windows, by comparison, is a proprietary operating system built by the Microsoft Corporation. There are only two main lines of Windows. The "Win9x" class that consist of Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and Me, and the "NT class" consisting of Windows NT3, NT4, 2000, XP, Vista, and 7. Due to the proprietary nature of Windows, the software is not customizable and is built to fill the needs of the