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Question

what is Linux?

Aug 27, 2011 4:50AM PDT

I've heard of it before but i've never used it.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
It's an operating system.
Aug 27, 2011 5:28AM PDT

You could type such a question on Google to learn the history but given it's an OS that's not very interesting.

What most folk use is not this or that OS but the Applications that run on top of the OS. For example just last month I was using the in flight movie device on the plane. The OS under the application was Linux but I only knew this because of when it booted up it revealed itself.

So there it is. I'm a Linux user!
Bob

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Answer
If you
Aug 28, 2011 10:04PM PDT

Have an Android phone, you have used it already.

Linux is just a Kernel, the Distributions are groups of people that build the OS upon their likes and philosophies. That is why you see lots of them. Most of the time Linux Operating Systems works behind doors on Embedded Systems like ATMs and smaller devices along with Servers. The Fastest Computers in the world they are use Linux.

That is what Linux is on very lame terms.

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Answer
Linux?
Sep 8, 2011 12:20PM PDT

Linux was created by Linus Torvalds as a Unix-Like operating system.

Linux operates on an entirely different structure than that of Windows. To really explain this one has to really almost research it themselves however in a nutshell.

The two most important points of Unix-Like operating systems are

1) The Monolithic kernel

2) The Open-Source Movement.

The Monolithic kernel is essientially the ideaology that architectureof Unix-Like systems operate primarily within the Kernal Space.

The Open-Source mentality is that which transgresses simply computing and is base off the ideaology that software maintained by a community will be updated and more secure than that maintained by a private organization which anyone who has worked in software knows pushes out patches and fixs based off home users discovering critical errors and then being forced to pay for upgrades to secure and improve performance. Open-Source software is free, open to anyone to contribute and by in large can be safely declared entirely more safe from malicous attacks than non-Unix-Like operating systems.

Unix pre-dates windows, a large portion of the windows operating system is based off Unix however the major difference is how the operating systems complete processes and services within their architectural design. Modules which run in Kernal Space are updated and improved much quicker than private operating systems and generally are move effiecent at the utilizaation of resources, security and reliability.

Understanding Linux/Unix-Like operating systems gives you an understanding of everything thats happening in realtime, thus giving the user complete control of everything happening within your system and giving the adminisratrator complete control of their system.

Furthermore, it is not boring. With the amount of free software and enhancements Linux surpasses Windows as a secure operating system in both day to day operations and server implementations. The entire development of Aero was in direct response to the competition being driven by the Linux community with Compiz and similar software. I could go on for days and days.

As a starter system I would suggest installing Ubuntu within your Windows desktop so you can switch between operating systems. You can do this with other distros just not as easily. Personally I use CentOS and am an anti-ubuntu person myself, but it is the best introduction for noobs aside from Fedora which in my opinion gives you a much better understanding of all distros. Its important to note that Linux has a steep learning curve but will improve your understanding of both Linux and Windows and improve the security, reliability and efficiency of whatever operating system you choose to run in the future.

Additionally there is tons and tons of free software to use legally, such as Photo-shops cousin Gimp, the legendary VLC media player, advanced internal firewall capabilities with IPTABLES and easy to learn and implement configuration and operation of services and processes thus utilizing the maximum output of your system.

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Everytime i install Debian 6 or Ubuntu i have boot problems
Nov 27, 2011 10:25AM PST

I want to use Debian 6 on a small hard drive, since my other drive has Xp, which i'm tired of!
After two days of Debian 6 it didn't want to boot. Happens all the time. I even shut of pc like i should and it still has a boot problem!

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So is GrubRecover in the cards?
Nov 27, 2011 10:36AM PST
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Answer
What is Linux?
Dec 7, 2011 2:42PM PST

hi,


Linux is a remarkably complete operating system, including a graphical user interface and linux is a Unix-like operating system that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system.

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Answer
Ubuntu Linux for me
Dec 8, 2011 5:59AM PST

I switched from Windows to Ubuntu for the first time several months ago now, and it's been incredible. There's many different flavors of Linux out there, but I've chosen to go with Ubuntu. Everything that I used on Windows, Ubuntu has had either the same program OR a program that is identical and many times BETTER than what Windows CHARGED for or just had on their OS. I've already converted another person to Ubuntu and they are loving it. Oh and the best part - it's all FREE!