Reading the blog of Cassidiablo, I found this interesting article that has been around for a while and that he himself translated.
What is that Linux thing?
Linux is a operating system, just like Windows or MacOSX. This is responsible for interacting with the computer hardware, makes sure that everything goes well, and allows you to run programs. Since it contains a set of tools GNU, which are very similar to those found on UNIX systems, it is sometimes called Gnu / Linux (in fact that's the correct way to call it). If you have ever used a UNIX system, you will feel right at home.
When someone tells you that they use Linux, what they mean is that they use one of the distributions (also called a distro) of Linux. Without the GNU applications, the Linux kernel (the kernel) can't do much, so a distro is a "compilation" of software that includes the Linux kernel (who is in charge of interacting with the hardware), the GNU tools, and any applications that the person who created the distro deems necessary, configured in such a way that they work correctly.
Since not everyone has the same idea of a good system there hundreds of distros, and each has its own characteristics. For example, there are distros designed to run on computers with few resources as Damn Small Linux, or on the contrary distros like Sabayon designed to be executed from powerful computers. Some distros, like Gentoo are preferred by those users who like that their system have the highest possible performance. Some distros, like SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop are intended for desktop business use with support contracts. Red HatEg it is widely used in corporate servers. Then there are CentOS y openSUSE what are they like Red Hat y sledsExcept without the support contracts that corporate environments often require. Fedora is a desktop version of RedHat, intended for home users, although it is used in Universities and even at NASA. Debian is known for its stability, which makes it ideal for servers, although many people prefer Ubuntu for its ease of use. There are many more, but these are the most common.
Why use Linux?
There are many reasons why you should consider using Linux. For me to Mackenzie the author of article), the main reason to switch was to try something new. I wanted to know what existed other than Windows, which I started with, and MacOS, which I don't like. Here are other reasons:
- It's free: You don't need to pay anyone anything to use Linux. Most of the software for Linux is also free.
- You're free: One of the things we say about Linux is that it is usually free, but it is always free. What this means is that there are some freedoms that come along with Linux. That is, you are free to use it, whatever your purpose. You are free to study it and adapt it to your needs. Even if you don't have programming skills, there are plenty of people who could do it for you. You are free to share it with your friends without making you a pirate. The only thing you can NOT do is change the license of the software in such a way that it is not free.
- It is safe: Linux was built to be a multi-user system, therefore there are certain restrictions in order to keep the system secure. Users do not always run applications as administrator, so actions that may affect the system must be executed explicitly (and not by mistake as happens in Windows). The software cannot be installed unless you have administrator privileges, and you are explicitly allowed to do this, so viruses cannot install themselves. Windows, on the other hand, was not designed with a security design in mind; Microsoft assumes that anyone who manipulates the computer has all the necessary knowledge to be a good system administrator, and that no one else can access the computer. Given the existence of the Internet, we know that there are many people who can instruct on our computers via the network. Linux systems prevent that. Windows assumes that all actions performed are allowed by the administrator, so malware and viruses can install themselves. Microsoft has taken steps for this in the latest version of Windows (Vista), to implement this permission check system before allowing certain actions, but the way it did it is quite annoying for the end user.
- It is easy: This is new. It used to be quite difficult for a new user to try Linux, especially since the installation was difficult. That's a thing of the past, now installing Linux is quite easy thanks to the installation wizards. Once the system is configured, it only stops due to some hardware failure. My mom (the one of Mackenzie) has installed Linux (Ubuntu) since 2006, and he keeps telling his friends about how fast and easy it is. And people say that only geeks can use Linux? My mom took a month to set up her email… and my brothers still ask me to help them install software after using Windows for five years. In Linux, you just mark some checkboxes to indicate to the system what you want to install, then you give it apply and that's it: it looks for the software, downloads it, installs it, and configures it automagically (in Linux there is no such thing as serials or contracts or no other shit!).
How to get Linux?
You can download a ISO image from any of the distros' websites and burn your own CD to install it, or ask any friend who uses Linux for the disc (remember that sharing is not illegal for Linux). Also, Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) will send your home CDs totally free. You can download DVD versions (which contain a lot of software) or on the contrary small distros (Damn Small Linux for example weighs only 50MB). Now, if you don't want to install it yourself, you can ask for help in a local LUG (Linux User Group), there is even free software installation festivals, to which you can take your computer to have Linux installed.
And that fucking penguin I see everywhere?
Linus Torvalds, who started the development of the Linux kernel when he was a student at the University of Helsinki, was once stung by a penguin. When the idea of having a logo for Linux came up, he suggested a penguin as a mascot. He said that things that can be done with a pet are more interesting and fun than what can be done with a rectangle that says “LINUX”. The penguin's name is Tux, and that was created by Larry ewing using The GIMP.
Link: Cassidiablo
Very good job of spreading this wonderful operating system. If I hadn't used it years ago, I would have been convinced to give it a try. !! Congratulations!!
Very good report, and that fucking penguin I see everywhere? Hahahahaha I didn't see her coming