Linux
The
Linux
Operating System
by: Stan Cook
Overview:
The Linux operating system is a free UNIX-like operating system written by Linus Torvalds, developed originally for home PC's , but which now runs on a variety of platforms including PowerPC, Macintosh, Amiga, Atari, DEC Alpha, Sun Sparc, ARM, and many others. Linux is probably the most popular UNIX-like OS in the world. The Linux operating system's central nervous system which runs the whole system is referred to as the kernel. Linux systems excel in many areas, ranging from end-user concerns such as stability, speed, and ease of use, to serious concerns such as development and networking. In addition to being cost-effective, it is constantly being updated and refined with the latest technologies. Linux is an independent POSIX implementation and includes true multitasking, virtual memory, shared libraries, demand loading, proper memory management, TCP/IP networking, and other features consistent with Unix-type systems. As Linux gains greater acceptance throughout the computing industry, more and more companies are supporting Linux via both application and hardware compatibility. Nowadays, Linux even offers a variety of commercial productivity packages and office suites which can import and export files from other platforms, including Windows and MacOS.
Click below to see more about the features of Linux:
Stability, Speed, Graphical Interface, Networking, and Productivity
Where is Linux used?
Linux is used as a mainstay server operating system by many web sites and ISPs. It is used as a design workstation by many graphic artists. It is the development platform of choice for C programmers around the world. Linux runs all the applications a Unix server system should run, including web servers like Apache, mail serving software like Sendmail, and database servers like Oracle, Informix, or more open applications like MySQL and Postgres. Linux supports a wide range of file system types, and through programs like Samba can even seamlessly replace NT as a Windows file server. Through the use of clustering technology, Linux can scale up to handle the supercomputing loads required by many scientific/engineering applications, and required in high availability environments.
Linux Clustering
Since the Linux operating system is so efficient in networking, it is used on machines that form clusters. A cluster is when many desktop PC's are networked together to be used as one big machine in which information can be shared between them. Clustering can also be referred to as parallel computing and was started with a machine called Beowulf. Networking many machines together to act as one system can be much less expensive than a supercomputer. Clustering has mainly been used in addressing problems that involve very large data sets. Some examples are: High Energy Physics simulations,
Light scattering and surface physics modeling
Numerical Quantum Field Theory High Energy data reduction
Astrophysical Simulations High temperature superconductivity
Plasma Physics simulations Applied Mathematics research
Computational Fluid Dynamics Climatic Research and Atmospheric Chemistry
How does Linux differ from other operating systems?
Linux is open source software--that's software that can be used and changed by users to meet their needs under a General Public License for free software. Unlike Windows, which requires users to be licensed by Microsoft, the basic Linux program is available for free over the Internet.
Why should computer users switch to Linux?
In a word, stability. Unlike Windows, which presents the "blue screen of death" to users at the slightest anomaly, Linux is very stable. It also offers security against code cracking. According to Torvalds, Linux's key is freedom--freedom from "Microsoft's control and fine print" and constant price increases.
Why install Linux?
For those searching for a fast, reliable, inexpensive operating system that can accommodate multiple users, act as an Internet server, and still support an easy-to-use desktop interface, Linux is better than Windows. Linux also runs on older machines that can't handle Windows, such as an old 486, or on Apple Macintoshes. Furthermore, Linux provides an excellent Internet environment, requiring minimal resources, yet giving full Internet connectivity.
Some negatives aspects of Linux
While there's a lot to like about Linux, getting started with it can be intimidating, however. At least 500MB of available hard drive space is needed to install Linux. While installing it isn't the enormous chore it once was, it's still not a streamlined process, especially because Linux cannot automatically detect all the hardware on a system. Since Linux is a multiuser operating system, every Linux installation requires a user password even if there's only one user. Unfortunately, Linux hasn't matched Windows 98's nearly hands-free installation, encyclopedic plug-and-play hardware support, and robust cadre of available applications.
Useful Links:
http://www.linux.org/ What is Linux? www.linux.com
Linux defined How to get Linux Linux Headquarters
Cluster technology Dell to support red hat linux Linux creeps toward desktops