Linux is one of the popular operating systems. It is free software that provides a platform environment for software developers and computer hobbyists to develop, test and use. Linux started out as an open source operating system, which basically means that it is free software that is designed to be modified and used under specific conditions. There are millions of users worldwide who run Linux on their computers.
Linux is a group of open-source operating systems based around the Linux kernel, originally developed by Linus Torvalds for the Linux community. Linux is normally packaged as a distribution. As an open source operating system, Linux is licensed for free, making it available to everyone. The original Linux kernel has now been modified and enhanced for performance, efficiency and reliability. Over time, Linux has evolved into a more comprehensive and specialized system.
Like its Unix-like cousin, Linux also runs on a mainframe machine. However, unlike windows based operating systems, Linux can be installed into a virtual machine or a bootable CD-ROM. Linux can boot up faster than Windows, and it uses much less memory. In comparison, Windows registry is huge in size, which explains why Windows boots up more quickly than Linux.
The Linux operating system has much higher security levels than other OS. As an open source operating system, many security bugs can be discovered and fixed much easier than in other software such as Windows. A recent report states that almost 75% of Linux kernel security issues can’t be traced back to the original developer. Consequently, Linux is considered much safer than windows systems.
In addition to these benefits, Linux can save money when compared to similar office productivity applications. Compared to Office suite like Microsoft office, OpenOffice and Calc, Linux has a free license. On the other hand, Microsoft office products require licensing fees, service fees and subscription fees, whereas open source-based desktop environments are free. Therefore, for organizations looking to reduce costs in their desktop environments, Linux can be a viable alternative.
One major disadvantage of Linux is that it lacks native support for screen shots. Screen shots can be used to capture images and presentations and can greatly increase the speed of learning and getting started. Most people who are using open source based desktops prefer to use graphical images over text ones. Many Linux distributions lack screen shot support by default, which makes it difficult to share images with coworkers. Fortunately, it is easily enabled and can be enabled during installation.
A second advantage of Linux over Windows is that Linux’s kernel is licensed under the GNU General Public License, which allows free distribution and modifications to the kernel. Unlike Microsoft, whose licensed product does not allow for modifications. This means that if a developer wishes to make changes to the kernel, he must obtain authorization from the Linux community. With Microsoft, this is not the case. In addition, most Linux distributions offer special tools and packages such as Compiz Fusion, XFCE or Puppet to automate a number of administrative tasks. These features make Linux easier to work with than Microsoft.
Although Linux has many advantages over windows, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered. For example, most IT administrators find Linux difficult to use due to its lack of extensive support for various programming languages. Linux cannot be easily installed on windows platforms because it requires the use of a Window server, which is controlled by Microsoft. Some programs do not work well on Linux and most programs require a command line interface.
In contrast, Apple’s OS X and Microsoft’s Window OS still use the DOS command line for their respective operating systems. The biggest problem with Apple’s OS X is that it has no graphical user interface. In addition, Apple uses a different command line for launching programs than Windows users. Its keyboarding software is also different from other desktop operating systems. This means that there are many ways in which a person can become confused by OS X.
On the other hand, Linux’s availability in many different distributions has made it the de facto choice for operating systems. Unlike Windows, it can be available at any hardware store. It has a wide range of hardware configurations, including desktop, laptop and tablet computers. Additionally, most distributions have developed special tools like System profiler that allow users to track down and trace problems in the Linux kernel.
In addition to these benefits, another benefit of Linux is that it has an active community of developers who continue to improve its performance and fix bugs. This is in contrast to Microsoft’s OS X, whose developers haven’t merged their improvements in the kernel since the start of the operating system in 1987. For example, the “Microsoft” logo is not present on the desktop of any Windows-based computer because it was incorporated into the OS during the development cycle for the operating system. The Linux kernel has been in continuous development since the mid-1990s. As a result, it has become a well-established system that is capable of running various types of software on a PC or laptop.
