(With thanks to many sources from the Internet, especially the Linux Journal)

Linux ® and its Origins

• How do you say Linux?
  Although many variations of the word Linux exist, it is most often pronounced with a short " i " and with the first syllable stressed, as in LIH-nucks.
• Linux, also known as GNU/Linux, is a free, UNIX-like operating system, developed originally for home PCs, but which now runs on a variety of platforms including Macs, Compaq Alpha, Sun Sparc, and many others.
• Linux aims for a high level of compliancy to maintain maximum compatibility with other UNIX-like systems. With millions of users worldwide, Linux is probably the most popular UNIX-like OS in the world.
• Linux was was initially created as a hobby by a young student, Linus Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linus had an interest in Minix, a small UNIX system, and decided to develop a system that exceeded the Minix standards, with no thought that it would lead to where it has!. He began his work in 1991 when he released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when version 1.0 of the Linux Kernel was released. Linus sought help with the project and was assisted by tens, then hundreds of developers, and now thousands of developers from all over the world contribute to the development of the Operating System and its applications.
• Linus Torvalds chose the Linux Mascot, the Penguin, known as TuX, shown here.
• Linux is growing exponentially as programmers, enthusiasts, and end-users exchange thoughts, implement ideas, contribute code, and cooperate in the phenomenon known as Open Source to produce the operating system known as Linux.
• In January 2001 the full-featured version was 2.4 and development continues.

The Linux System

• Linux is under constant development and is always available in both the latest stable release and the latest experimental release.
• Progress on development is very fast, because thousands of developers from all over the world contribute.
• Linux systems excel in many areas, such as stability, speed, and ease of use and networking.

Stability

• Linux has long been praised for its stability -Linux boxes are known for running months or even years at a time without crashing, freezing, or having to be rebooted.
• Because it is extremely secure compared to other platforms, viruses for Linux are practically non-existent.

Speed

• Linux machines are also known to be extremely fast, because the operating system is very efficient at managing resources such as memory, CPU power, and disk space.
• A quite good Web Server can be built from an a low-power PC running Linux and the Apache Web Server.
• Very powerful yet relatively inexpensive supercomputers have been built by creating clusters of Linux boxes running in parallel.
  

Graphical Interface

• Linux has a range of highly configurable graphical interfaces known as window managers. These offer the point-and-click, drag-and-drop functionality associated with other user-friendly environments (for example, Macintosh), but are extremely flexible and can take on a number of different looks and feels.
• Even complex tasks like system administration, package installation, upgrading, and network configuration can be done easily through graphical programs.

Software Development

• Many programmers find that the Linux development environment is very good.
• Nearly all development software for Linux is free and covered under the GNU Public License, which guarantees that it will always remain free. Linux systems come standard with many tools needed for program development, and the source code.
• The nature of Linux and the Linux Development community means that development and update of software proceeds at a much faster pace than even at extremely successful commercial software houses.
• This phenomenon is called Open Source and is the subject of much discussion in the business world, the computer world, and the press.

Networking

• Networking comes naturally to Linux, since it is based on UNIX, where computer networking more or less developed.
• Networking with Linux is very reliable and secure.
  

Productivity, Applications, Games and Development Software

• Linux can coexist on the same machine as other operating systems. For example, you could install Linux and Windows and other Operating Systems on PC, thus getting value from each.
• Software availability for Linux has exploded in recent years, and commercial developers have been producing excellent software for the Linux platform. There is a large amount of free or low-cost software to meet the needs of many users, as well as full-commercial packages.
  Whatever you want to do with your Linux system, the software for it is probably already available, free of charge, or for a low charge.
•  Linux has loads of games from free games, often of very high quality and most entertaining to slick, commercial 3-D games.
• There is a wealth of scientific software available for Linux.
  

Linux Links

• There are a huge number of sites related to Linux.
• Search in any search engine to find just how many! Here are just a few.

Linux Online
Linux Kernel Archives
The Linux Centre
The Linux Counter
Linux Users Group Australia
Linux Users Group SA

Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries.