What is a Linux Distribution?
Linux is distributed by a number of commercial and non-commercial
organizations
who add to, or enhance the basic functions (or kernel) of the operating
system.
SuSE Linux, for example, is a distribution of Linux with features of
the core
Linux Kernel and enhancements, which are specific to that distribution.
Linux
distributions come completely pre-configured to specifications set by
that
organization, and include configuration utilities and installers.
What is Linux used for?
Application Servers, Database Servers, Desktop
Systems as a Windows Replacement, Workstations, X-Terminal Clients,
Unix Development, Network, Mail and FTP Servers, Cluster Computing,
Medical, Hotel, Resorts, Embedded Systems, Legal Offices, Government
and the list goes on...
Can I
run GUI Programs on Linux?
Linux has a free X Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI), similar to
Microsoft
Windows which allows most X Based programs to run under Linux without
any
modification. Windows programs can run inside of X-Windows with the
help of an
emulator called WINE. Usually, Windows programs can run up to 10 times
faster,
due to Linux' buffering capabilities!
Will
Linux work well with my network?
Networking support in Linux is advanced and superior to most other
Operating
Systems. Since the people developing Linux collaborated and used the
Internet
for their development efforts, networking support came early in Linux
development. As an Internet server, Linux is a very good choice, often
outperforming Windows NT, Novell and most UNIX systems on the same
hardware
(even multiprocessor boxes). Linux is frequently chosen by leading
businesses
for superior server and network performance.
Linux supports all of the most common Internet
protocols, including Electronic
Mail, Usenet News, Gopher, Telnet, Web, FTP, Talk, POP, NTP, IRC, NFS,
DNS,
NIS, SNMP, Kerberos, WAIS and many more. Linux can operate as a client
or as a
server for all of the above and has already been widely used and
tested.
Linux also fits easily and tightly into Local Area
Networks (LANs), regardless
of system combinations, providing full and seamless support for
Macintosh, DOS,
Windows, Windows NT, Windows 95, Novell, OS/2, using their own native
communication protocols. Linux can do all of this with low memory
requirements.
Will Linux run on my Mac?
Linux continues to develop quickly, with distributions for PowerPC,
Macintosh,
Amiga and some Atari's.
What if Linus Torvalds stops working on Linux?
Linux is written and maintained by Linus Torvalds and programmers
worldwide
using the Internet as a communication tool. Linux aims towards POSIX
compliance (a set of standards that show what a UNIX should be). If
Linus
Torvalds ever decided to abandon the project, since we have the full
source
code available, somebody else could take his place. The Linux kernel
development will still continue no matter what happens to Linus.
What are the license restrictions?
The Linux Kernel is Copyright (c) Linus B. Torvalds under the terms of
the
General Public License (GPL). The GPL states that the source code must
be
freely distributed and that anyone is allowed to make copies for their
own use,
or to sell or give to other people (with a few restrictions). While
most Linux
software is GPL'd, this does not mean that all software developed or
ported to
Linux has to be. Many other licenses exist, with some commercial
software
packages having more restrictive licenses, such as the common copying
restrictions faced by Windows users.
Are there any applications that run on Linux?
There are thousands of applications running on Linux worldwide. See
"What is
Linux Used For?" for a small sampling of the many ways Linux is used
today.
Why is there a Penguin on Linux stuff?
Tux is the Linux mascot, chosen by Linus Torvalds, who said, "I was
looking for
something fun and sympathetic to associate with Linux. A slightly fat
penguin
that sits down after having had a great meal fits the bill
perfectly.... Don't
take the penguin too seriously. It's supposed to be kind of goofy and
fun,
that's the whole point. Linux is supposed to be goofy and fun (it's
also the
best operating system out there, but it's goofy and fun at the same
time!)."
[quote borrowed from http://www.nd.edu/~ljordan/linux/tuxhistory.html]
